I love Fall and Halloween decor, but sometimes it’s nice when it’s not so spooky as sweet. And no knitting or crocheting with white thread or fillet crochet requited! Many times you can find pre-made cotton doilies at the craft store and then you don’t have to use vintage ones. The kids are heading back to school and I am in the studio and ready to jump into all things fall decor! I had a few extra doilies in a drawer and I thought it would be fun to make lace doily DIY ghosts for Halloween. You can use vintage doilies, but it’s easy to find mass produced ones in the craft store as well.
Supplies to Make a Halloween Ghost Doily
-Vintage or new crocheted doilies 6″-8″ round (a lace organza doily is fine too or lace fabric from the craft store cut into rounds)
-Decoupage Medium
-Small styrofoam ball 2-3″
-Black felt
-White craft glue
-Paint brush or foam craft brush
-Small dowel rod or Popsicle stick
-Parchment paper or freezer paper
-Something to place the dowel rod into while the ghost dries
-Scissors
Create the Base of Your Doily Ghost
Start to create your DIY lace doily goals by placing your white Styrofoam ball (or a ping pong ball) on the end of the dowel rod. Place the dowel rod in the something sturdy so that it stands upright. I have it into a cardboard roll but you can also use a jar opening. It’s just something to keep the doily and the doily ghost upright while your decoupage glue dries. You’re going to want something tall enough that the bottom of the doily doesn’t touch the surface it’s drying on and hangs freely.
Coat your Doily in Decoupage Medium
Lay your doily out flat on freezer paper or parchment paper and use a brush to coat the entire thing in decoupage medium on front and back so that it’s fully coated. White craft glue can also be used in a pinch. This will help you doily ghost dry stiff. Once your doily is completely coated and soaked through on both sides your ready for the next step.
Add Glue to the White Foam Ball
Cover the entire top of the foam ball in white craft glue. Once it’s coated, lay the decoupage covered medium over the top of the Styrofoam ball. Brush more decoupage medium over the top of the doily where it meets the foam ball on the outside and make sure to coated it completely. The foam ball will remain under the doily to help it hold it’s shape later.
Arrange the Doily Bottom
While the bottom of the doily should lay somewhat gracefully, you may need to Arrange the layers of the skirt of the doily a little bit on the bottom so that they are in a pattern that looks a little bit “ghostly.” and flowy.
Let the Decoupage Medium Dry Completely
Let this dry at least 24 to 48 hours until it is completely stiff and hard. Depending on how much decoupage medium you have used and the humidity level, this could take up to a week to dry.
Add the Ghosts Eyes with Black Felt
Use a pair of scissors to cut out two small rounds for the ghost, dies and use a small drop of white glue on the back of each to place them accordingly. You can see this post if you’re looking for different shapes to make those eyes. The eyes are what conveys the emotion of the ghost. Now you’re ready to have fun and style and decorate!
Decorate with your DIY Doily Ghosts!
Once the ghost is completely dry, you can pull it off of the dowel rod and it should sit by itself on the counter or will be super cute clustered on a mantel or Halloween tablescape. Want to create a favorite haunt for your ghosts? See how to paint this haunted house canvas.
