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DIY garland

How to Make a Dainty Paper Doily Ghost Garland With Vintage Charm

Shape paper doilies around cotton balls, tie them at the neck, and thread the ghosts onto a line for a delicate Halloween garland.

By ThatPainter Team 2 min read
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Make a delicate Halloween garland by shaping paper doilies around cotton balls, tying each ghost at the neck, then threading the heads onto a line. Pastel doilies and tiny ribbon bows add the vintage-inspired finish.

What you’ll need

  • Paper doilies
  • Cotton balls
  • String or thread for the garland line
  • Narrow ribbon or string for tying each ghost
  • Black marker, if you want to draw faces
  • Scissors
  • A large sewing needle

How to make the ghost garland

1. Measure and cut the line

Measure the space where you plan to hang the garland. Cut the thread or string a little longer than that measurement so you have extra at both ends for hanging.

2. Shape each ghost

Place a cotton ball in the center of a doily. Gather the paper around the cotton ball to form a head and a hanging skirt, then tie the gathered section beneath the head with a short piece of narrow ribbon or string. If one doily looks too transparent, layer two before gathering.

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3. Add a face if you like

Use a black marker to draw eyes and a mouth, taking care not to puncture the delicate paper. A blank face is another option for a simpler look.

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4. Thread the ghosts onto the garland

Carefully pass the large sewing needle and garland line through each cotton-filled head. Tie a knot in the line behind each ghost to hold it in position, then continue threading the remaining ghosts.

Give the garland a vintage look

Choose pastel-colored doilies and tie a small ribbon bow at each ghost’s neck for a soft, vintage-inspired effect. You can also try lightweight accents such as googly eyes, small paper glasses, tiny hats or bow ties, or beads between ghosts. These are optional styling ideas; the project guide does not establish how well particular add-ons or adhesives will hold.

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Two other doily ghost projects

Not every doily ghost garland uses a cotton-filled head. Handmade Charlotte’s flat paper-doily ghost uses a cut ghost shape with the lace edge as the hem; its facial features can be punched or cut out. It is a different, flat-paper approach.

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The Honeycomb Home’s doily ghost uses fabric or a crocheted doily shaped over a form with liquid starch. That is a separate, more structured craft, not a substitute for the paper-and-cotton-ball garland method.

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Plan the size for your display

The Hunker guide does not specify a doily size, ghost count, finished garland length, spacing, or cost. Measure your display area and choose the number of ghosts to suit it; the guide leaves those dimensions to the maker. It mentions putting the garland away for another year but does not provide storage instructions or durability findings.

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