A ghost costume is a classic. And I know I wore the white sheet with uneven eye holes cut in it at least one Halloween as a kid.
But something happens when you add tulle to the costume mix, something amazing. Tulle has this etherial, lighter-than-air quality that feels perfect for a costume like this. And when it flows and has jagged edges, then the costume almost looks smoke like. Almost as if the person wearing it really is floating along.
Making a tulle cloak is simple and easily done, and tulle is super fun to work with. It’s inexpensive, and the ends can be cut and left unswen because the ends won’t fray. I followed this tutorial from Martha Stuart, but I simplified it a bit since it’s for a kid, and because safety has to be a top priority. (Nothing ruins a Halloween more than tripping over your costume over and over and over.)
Here’s what you need to make your own Tulle Ghost Costume:
- layers and layers and layers of tulle. I used 10 layers of 54 inch wide tulle. Each layer is as tall as my child, plus about 8 inches.
- measuring tape
- scissors
- pins
- chalk (non-white, preferably)
- a white ribbon
- Measure your child, double their height, add about 8 inches, and cut your layers of tulle to be that long. I used 10 layers of tulle for this costume because I wanted it to not be too see through and to have some volume.
- Find the mid-point of your fabric, and mark it with a pin.
- Measure your child from the top of his shoulder to the top of his head. Take this number, add 4, and then divide by 2. So if your kid is 14 inches from shoulder to the top of his head, my magic number is 9. (14 + 4 = 18, 18 /2 = 9)
- From the mid point of my fabric along one edge, measure 9 inches (or whatever your measurement is) and draw an arc with your chalk. The mid point is the center. This will make the bottom edge of the hood.
- Mark the arch with the pins, making sure you’ve pinned all the layers of tulle.
- Using your scissors, cut a small slit in all the layers of tulle the height of your ribbon. Repeat until you have slits cut around your hood arc.
- Weave the ribbon through the slits, leaving length to tie it closed under the wearer’s chin.
- Put the cape on your child, and trim it. This is important: Make sure that the material isn’t too long, especially in the front, so that your child won’t trip.
- Shred the outer layers of tulle using your scissors, and then pop the entire cloak in the dryer. (Make sure you’re ribbon is securely tied first!) This will jumble the ends and give even more of a ghost-like impression.
Edited: I’m adding an extra image for this tutorial that I hope will help clear up some of the questions I’ve ade. This shows the basic layout of the ghost cape and how to pull it all together. Let me know if this helps!
Any photos of the progress? Or a step by step guide? Thanks!
I’m sorry, I don’t have any! But if you check out this link (the same as the one in the post) http://www.marthastewart.com/269910/no-sew-tulle-ghost-costume?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/our-favorite-costume-ideas
There are more step-by-step instructions and one mid-project picture.
I’m happy to answer questions, just let me know if you have any, and happy costuming!
Awesome, thanks for the quick reply! He’s 3 years old so I’ll definitely err on the side of making it a wee bit shorter so he doesn’t trip. Thanks again!
Quick Question – when you say each layer is the height of your child + 8 inches, do you mean that for my 37″ child, each layer would only be 45″ long? I’m confused as wouldn’t that fold in half essentially and only reach his waist when worn? Or do I fold in half and then cut 45″ so essentially, I’d wind up with a 90″ piece of tulle?
Thank you!
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad you asked. That’s a typo.
It should be twice your child’s height, plus 8 inches.
If you imagine a sheet, folded in half, and draped over your kid’s head at the fold, that’s basically what you’re doing here. Does that make sense? And here’s a tip. If your kiddo is young (and at 37 inches I image they are) then you might want to measure his/her height to mid-calf. This way, they won’t trip trick or treating!
Thank you for stopping by and let me know if you have more questions!
I replied to the wrong comment above but I’m sure you figured that out. 🙂
Quick question… For supplies (for the ghost), you say to measure your child and add 8″. And then in directions you say to take your child’s height and double and add 8″.
Which one of these measurements am I making x10? Going to buy tulle today 🙂
Thanks so much!
Hi Jenny! Sorry for the confusion. You double your child’s height then add 8 inches.
So If you kiddo is 40 inches high, you’d need 10 layers of 88 inches worth of tulle each. (40 + 40 + 8 = 88)
I hope that makes sense. Let me know how it goes!
I’m finding the hood somewhat confusing. I’ll this be open in the front? More like a cloak that needs held shut in the front?
Yes! It’s does have an open front. But because Tulle is so flowy and free, you don’t need a button lower than the neck. The extra tulle can be pulled around front to cover and look like it’s floating.
If you check out this link, you can see more of what the costume looks like on: https://www.facebook.com/lowcountrylive/videos/1004361042918269/
I hope this helps!
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Hi I’m having trouble understanding how to make the hood. When I mark the midway point on the fabric do i do the “9” inches on both sides? And how do I know how far out to make the arc?
Once you mark the midpoint of the tulle rectangle, draw a semicircle that is 9 inches round from that point. If you imagine a circle with a radius of 9 inches, then half of the circle is on the tulle and half is off. Does that make sense?
I don’t understand how ‘deep’ or tall to make the arc? Thanks!
Measure from the top of your kiddo’s head to their shoulder. Let’s pretend on your kid, this number is 6 inches. Double that number (because the hood has to cover both sides of your kid’s head). And add 4 (because it’s good to have some extra space).
SO: 6 + 6 = 12 AND 12 + 4 = 16
So you will measure 16 inches from your mid-point in your tulle to get the semicircle that will make the hood.
Good luck!
Hi. I am so confused by the hood on this costume and I keep reading the directions and wonder why I can’t “see “it and what I am missing. Are you making the arc on the top of the tulle (the folded part) or on the side. Do you have drawings or videos- they would be very helpful! Thanks!
Hi Heather. I just created and added an extra graphic that I hope clears up some confusion. Let me know if you have further questions. I’ll try to get to them before Trick-or-Treat! Good luck.
I’m so confused. I’ve read these and the original Martha Stewart instructions over and over plus all of the comments (your instructions are far more clear than Martha’s btw). I’m almost there, but I think I’m missing the word “FOLD” in the instructions? You double the height + 8″ and cut… And fold the fabric? My final number is 86″, so do I cut that and fold it? And keep all of the folded edges together?
Otherwise it seems to me that I’m measuring 86″ and then cutting the hood on the 54″ width of the fabric and that makes no sense. If I do the hood (7.5″) on the 86″ side then the length of the costume is 78.5″ and the width is 54″. But if I do the hood on the 54″ side then the length is 46.5″ and the width is 86″. ???
If the word FOLD is the answer I’m looking for than does that mean your 10 layers of tulle end up equaling 20 layers folded?
Thank you!