Quilted Ghost Garland

September 26, 2023

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This quilted ghost garland is the perfect addition to your halloween decor! It is a quick and easy make, and can be modified in so many different ways to make it your own. I made 6 ghosts and 5 tassels for my garland. I also used mini clothes pins on top of my ghosts as decoration. But, you can modify by adding big hand stitching around the edge, using prints for the ghost fabric, or differing the size of your ghost (I have included 2 different size templates). I liked the unfinished look of mine, but there are many different options if you prefer a different look!

You Will Need:

-Fabric for the ghost front (amount of fabric will differ depending on what size template you choose, as well as how many ghosts you decide to use)

-Fabric for the ghost back. This can be scrap fabric as it will not be seen.

-Batting. You will only need enough for the front of the ghosts. The backs will not be quilted. (This is the brand I use, but if you have scraps, use those!)

-Scraps of black fabric. These will be used for the eyes.

-Scraps. These will be used to stuff the ghosts.

-Black Yarn (I prefer a thicker yarn)

-Yarn Needle

-Fabric Scissors

-Sewing Machine or needle and thread to hand sew.

-Command Hooks to hang the garland.

-Free Ghost Template (2 size options)

For the Ghosts

Set your piece of fabric front side down, and place a piece of batting on top of it. The batting will be on the wrong side of your ghost fabric. I used (2) 10" squares and I was able to get 3 ghost fronts from each one. However, you can use whatever size of fabric you desire since you will be cutting it out.

Flip it over and quilt on your machine as desired. I decided to do a simple cross hatch pattern for mine.

Place your ghost templates on your quilted fabric and pin. Cut around the template using your fabric scissors.

Repeat using the same size templates with the fabric for the back of the ghost. This fabric can be any fabric you choose, and does not need to be quilted, since it won't be visible.

Now you are left with your front piece and back piece.

There will also be scraps left over. Save them! They will be used in a future step.

Now, you'll want to sew some eyes. I cut out some black fabric and sewed it on using my machine, but you could easily hand sew the eyes on. Another option is to use a Sharpie marker to draw them on.

Place the quilted ghost front piece and ghost backing together, back sides together. Starting at one corner, sew upwards and around the ghost until you reach the other corner. Leave the bottom of the ghost open.

Here is where the scraps come in handy. Stuff your ghost with the scraps. You can use any scraps you have, but I used the ones that were left over from cutting the templates.

Now, finish sewing the bottom of the ghost.

For the Tassels

These can made as thick or as thin as you want. I used a 6.5" ruler as a guide, but you could use a piece of cardboard or anything else you have handy. Wrap your yarn around the object as many times as you want. I wrapped mine 8-9 times.

Slide the yarn off of the guide, and fold in half. Using another small piece of string (4-6 inches long), tie around the bunch of yarn. I tied it about 1/3 of the way from the top. Once it is secure, use your scissors to cut open the loops at the bottom of the tassel. You can leave them at varying lengths, or you can cut them straight across to be the same length.

Now, it's time to assemble! Cut a piece of yarn the desired length of your garland.

Turn your ghost to the back, and using a seam ripper, break 2-3 of the seams. This is where your yarn will go through. You will need to break them on both edges of the ghost, just on the back. If you don't want to break the seams, you could also hang the ghosts using clothespins instead of having the yarn go through.

Using a plastic yarn needle, thread your yarn.

Measure how far apart you want each ghost and tassel to be. Mine were 5 inches apart from the center of each ghost to the center of each tassel. Thread the yarn through the back of the ghost where you broke the seams, and the top loop of the tassel. Alternate between ghost and tassel until you have strung them all.