These DIY Light Up Ghosts are so much fun to create.

Choose your favorite “slinky” white/cream fabric.

I could not decide so I ended up making three sets to give away.

I used the traditional slinky fabric, a nubby one, and then a shag.

And, I can’t pick a favorite.

I used styrofoam shapes to create my base.

Then cut a circle of fabric and added in some fun details.

When you change the shape of the eyes or mouth, you create an entirely different look.

I have laughed and laughed and laughed at these little cuties.

They are so precious, even if I do say so myself.

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Supplies Needed (for a set of 3)

Step by Step with Photos

Cutting the Foam

cutting the styrofoam ball in half with an electric kitchen knife - J Dub By Design™
Cut the sphere in half using a serrated blade.
cutting a styrofoam circle in half with an electric kitchen knife - J Dub By Design™
You will have two halves. Each half will be glued to the top of a cone.
gluing the half circle to the cone to make the ghost's shape - J Dub By Design™
Add glue to the top of the cone, and place one sphere half centered on top of the cone.
the half circle styrofoam pieces glued to the cones - J Dub By Design™
Once glued, they will look like this. I use the 5 inch sphere for the largest cone and the 4 inch sphere for the two smaller cones.
the styrofoam body and head of ghost - J Dub By Design™
Measure your form. You will need the total height x2 plus the diameter of the sphere. Mine is 20×2+5 = 47 inches. I rounded up to 48 inches. This will be the diameter of your circle.
battery operated lights around the base of the ghost - J Dub By Design ™
Wrap battery operated lights around the cone. Its easier to do it now than after you have your fabric over your ghost.

Marking the Fabric

measuring the folded fabric to cut a circle - J Dub By Design™
Lay your fabric out and fold it over on itself so that the fold to the cut end is 24 inches. 24 inches is the radius (half of the diameter which is 48 inches) of your circle.
Finding the radius of the circle for ghosts - J Dub By Design™
This photo is showing you that when the fabric is folded over on itself, you are working with two layers that are 24 inches in length.
finding the radius at the fold of the circle fabric - J Dub By Design™
Move the ruler to the folded fabric. The ruler will be parallel with the fold. Find 24 inches.
marking the radius of the circle with a fabric marker - J Dub By Design™
Mark 24 inches with a fabric marker. This is the radius (center) of your circle. This mark will be the center of the fabric on top of the ghost’s head when the fabric is cut.
a piece of string tied in a knot around a fabric marker - J Dub By Design™
Tie a double knot with the string around your fabric marker.
Measure string to cut a circle - J Dub By Design™
Place the marker at the end of the ruler. Tighten the string along the ruler while holding the marker with point down at end of ruler. Note the spot where the string hits the ruler at 24 inches. Use the fabric marker to mark on the string at 24 inches.

Drawing and Cutting the Circle

Pin through string for DIY ghosts - J Dub By Design™
Place a stick pin directly through the mark on the string.
Pin through string and fabric for ghosts - J Dub By Design™
Pin the string to the mark you made on the fabric at the radius of 24 inches.
a string tied around a fabric marker - J Dub By Design™
Holding the pinned fabric with your left hand, stretch the marker out with your right hand. The string will keep the marker at 24 inches. Make a mark on the fabric. And, continue to make marks along the fabric until you have made the entire half circle. Make sure to always keep one hand on the pinned fabric to keep the fabric from sliding.
the half circle marked with a fabric marker - J Dub By Design™
The marks will be faint, but you will be able to see the half circle.
cutting along the lines of the fabric marker to make a circle of fabric - J Dub By Design™
Using very sharp scissors, cut through both layers of fabric along the line you made with the fabric marker.
the circle of fabric folded in half - J Dub By Design™
Once you have finished cutting, you will have a folded circle of fabric with a diameter of 48 inches – enough to cover the ghost.

Putting the Ghost Together

the mark of the center of the circle to match the center of the head of DIY ghost - J Dub By Design™
Unfold the circle and note the original mark you made at 24 inches. Put that mark in the center of the ghost’s head. This will ensure that you are covering the ghost evenly on all sides.
pin through head of fabric to hold fabric in place while gluing the fabric to the styrofoam ball - J Dub By Design™
Place a straight pin through that mark into the foam. This will keep your fabric in place while you lift it up and place hot glue all over the styrofoam. I do this in two sections to make sure I don’t get glue everywhere. The pin will hold the fabric while you lift it up.
the fabric circle draped over the styrofoam pieces - J Dub By Design™
The ghost will now look like this with the fabric glued in place. You can remove the pin.
placing the eyes on the DIY light Up Ghosts - J Dub By Design™
I free-formed two eyes and a mouth for this ghost using black felt. I hot glued the eyes in place. You can also add googly eyes or even black paper behind the felt to give more dimension. I did mine all with different eyes.
gluing a pumpkin to the ghost's hands - J Dub By Design™
I also added a black mouth for this one. And glued a pumpkin to the folds of fabric to make it look like he’s holding it with his hands from underneath.

Cut a Perfect Circle – How To Video

Pin IT

DIY Light Up Ghosts - J Dub By Design™
Change the shape of the eyes and change the entire look!

I would love to know what you think of my DIY Light Up Ghosts.

Drop me a comment below.

Looking For More DIY’s?

I’ve got you covered for fall and Christmas.

You must add a hydrangea wreath to your fireplace mantel or front door.

Check out my DIY Fall Table using Wood Remnants to set the most perfect Thanksgiving table – indoor or outside.

If you are looking for a centerpiece for your table that is not only easy, but WOW worthy, check out my floating candle floral centerpiece.

Christmas will be here before you know it. So check out my recommendations for lighting and decorating your Christmas tree.

For your front door, you don’t want to miss my tutorial on making your own Christmas swags.

And these bottle brush trees will be adorable Christmas decor anywhere in your home.

Don’t forget to try my method to clean all your glass surfaces. You will never rely on Windex again.

Have you seen the DIY outdoor dining space I just completed?

My old and tired wooden table and chairs got a whole new lease on life!

Here’s another DIY furniture project where I also used wax. The finish is fabulous!.

Have you ever dried an artichoke? This DIY is so easy to complete. You will end up with the most gorgeous muted dried pieces to use in all your floral decor.

Do you want to create a beautiful moss wreath like mine? I have a tutorial! This would an excellent gift for that special lady for in your life.

Have you seen my Aged Pot Tutorial? It’s a great way to transform any piece of pottery into an aged antique beauty!

And, don’t forget my fig topiary is the perfect gift for your favorite gardener.

How About Some Recipes?

Definitely check out my Summer Berry and Peach Galette. The crust is absolutely amazing!

Try my spooky sausage bites for your next Halloween party. Actually they work well for any party or tailgate get together.

Also, don’t forget my Mexican Spinach Artichoke Dip is another great appetizer to serve at your weekend activities.

My Brown Butter Pecan Cookies are a great cookie to whip up now that the temperatures have dropped here in Texas.

Here’s another cookie for you too.

It is full of chocolate and super sinful in such a good way.

Look no further than my S’mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies.

My fried dill pickle dip is the perfect appetizer to serve at Easter brunch or at your next pool party.

This creamy balsamic salad dressing will become your new favorite.

My Monterey Jack Salsa will be your next favorite dip this summer.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to see all the daily happenings going on over at J Dub By Design™!