Make Colorful Hanging Ghost Decor That Looks High-End With An Affordable Dollar Tree DIY
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Do you like your Halloween decorations to land somewhere between spooky and sophisticated? If giant yard inflatables, creepy graveyard tombstones, or stuffed scarecrows just aren't your thing, we've found the perfect treat for you. Using just a few inexpensive items from Dollar Tree, we watched a few pieces of cheesecloth turn into friendly ghosts on @DIYholic's TikTok. The project epitomizes practical magic. To complete it, she combines a little fabric stiffening liquid with colorful acrylic paint, soaks cheesecloth until it's fully saturated, and then drapes the colorful fabric sheets over a simple form to create her ghosts.
Even if nothing scares you more than a craft project, this is an extremely simple and fun activity you can complete in under an hour (plus some drying time!). While munching on a few mini KitKats or other candies of your choice, plan on spending another hour or so to collect your supplies. You'll need thin fabric like Cotton Farm Grade 100 XL Cotton Cheesecloth and some Aleene's Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid from Amazon, along with a set of large Plastic Storage Bins, a Wide Cylinder Vase, and a pack of Latex Balloons from Dollar Tree. Dig through your craft supplies for some acrylic paints in the colors of your choice, a spool of clear fishing line, and a black Sharpie. The end results are well worth the investment of around $20 to $30, because you'll end up with a collection of colorful ghost decor that looks enchanting and extremely high-end.
How to make hanging ghost decorations out of colored cheesecloth
Crafting DIYs are good for your mental health, but only if you avoid a frightful mess by preparing your work surface with thick plastic sheets. Begin by mixing a small amount of fabric stiffening liquid, acrylic paint, and just a splash of water in your plastic storage bins, stirring until combined. Use separate bins for each color. Since cheesecloth is thin and highly absorbent, you won't need much liquid to get startlingly good results. Soak your cheesecloth in the mixture until it's fully saturated. Its transparency and soft drape make it ideal for creating ghosts, but you can also experiment with gauze or other lightweight fabrics, or ditch the acrylic paint altogether and just use a mixture of stiffening fluid and water on thicker materials.
@diyholic DIY Colorful Hanging Ghosts! 👻✨These are super easy to make! All you need is some cheesecloth, acrylic paint, Aleene's fabric stiffener, balloons, and clear fishing wire to bring these little cuties to life. Hang them around your room, porch, or party setup for a spooky vibe! 💜 #DIYHalloween #CraftyHalloween #ColorfulGhosts #HalloweenDecor #DollarTreeDIY
No matter which material you choose, drape the soaked fabric over your mold to form your ghost. A balloon placed inside a glass vase naturally creates a rounded head and elongated body. Play around with balloon sizes and vase heights to give each of your ghosts its own personality. Do note: The more layers of fabric you use, the less transparent your ghost will appear. Gently arrange any excess material at the base, layering it into a flounced shape. Once your ghost is completely dry, draw eyes with a black Sharpie or glue on paper cutouts. Simply set them on a mantle or tabletop, or thread clear fishing line through the top for hanging. When illuminated by layered string lights, these semi-transparent ghosts look absolutely boo-tiful.