How to Make a Sheet Ghost Costume That Stays Put
A sheet ghost costume stays put when the sheet is fixed to something on your head, usually a snug baseball cap or headband pinned or taped inside, so the eye holes can't twist away from your eyes. Mark the eye holes while the sheet is on, cut them small and then trim to size, shorten the sheet so it ends above the ankles, and add slits for your hands. With an old white flat sheet, scissors and a few safety pins, it takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
The classic ghost is the easiest costume there is, right up until it starts sliding, blinding you or catching under your shoes. This guide fixes each of those problems in order.
What You Need
- An old white flat sheet (a twin sheet fits most children and many adults; a larger sheet suits tall adults)
- A snug baseball cap, a wide headband or a beanie
- Sharp fabric scissors and a washable fabric marker or chalk
- Safety pins, plus a few large ones for adjusting the length
- Optional: a scrap of black tulle or black mesh, fabric glue or iron-on hem tape
- Optional: a black fabric marker or felt for the face, reflective tape and a glow stick
- A helper, or a mirror and some patience
Step 1: Check the Sheet and the Length
Choose a thin, light sheet you don't mind cutting, then decide how long the costume should be before you make any holes.
- Pick a thin flat sheet rather than a fitted one; elastic corners bunch up, and thin cotton is easier to see and breathe through than flannel.
- Drape it over the wearer's head with the center of the sheet on top. Mark where it reaches the floor at the front, back and sides.
- Plan to trim it so the hem sits around mid-shin or just above the ankle. Floor-length looks spooky indoors but is a tripping hazard on steps and curbs.
Step 2: Anchor the Sheet to a Cap or Headband
The single fix that stops a sheet ghost from sliding is attaching it to a cap or headband that fits the wearer's head.
- Put on the cap or headband, then drape the sheet over it so the center sits on the crown of the head.
- Have a helper pin the sheet to the cap from the outside in three or four places: the top, both sides and the back. Use small safety pins and keep the points facing away from the head.
- Take the cap and sheet off together and move the pins to the inside. For a sturdier hold, add a few hand stitches or a dot of fabric glue at each point.
- A forward-facing cap brim also holds the sheet away from the face, which makes breathing and seeing easier.
Step 3: Mark and Cut the Eye Holes
Mark the eye holes while the anchored sheet is on the wearer's head, then cut them smaller than you think you need.
- With the costume on, have your helper mark the center of each pupil with a washable marker or chalk while the wearer looks straight ahead.
- Take the costume off. Fold the fabric at each mark and snip a small hole, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across.
- Try it on again and enlarge the holes a little at a time until the wearer can see comfortably, including downward to the ground. Oval holes, wider than they are tall, give the best side view.
- Stop the edges fraying with a thin line of fabric glue around each hole.
Step 4: Choose an Eye Hole Style
Plain holes work fine, but a covered or larger opening can look better and let the wearer see more.
| Eye hole style | How it looks | Visibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two plain oval holes | Classic ghost | Good straight ahead, limited to the sides | Older kids and adults indoors |
| Holes backed with black tulle | Dark "eyes" with no visible face | Slightly dimmer, but you can cut the holes larger | Photos and parties |
| One wide eye band covered with black mesh | Two eyes drawn or glued on top of the mesh | Best side vision | Trick-or-treating and walking |
| Open face, sheet worn as a hooded poncho | A friendly, less spooky ghost | Full | Toddlers and young children |
For tulle or mesh, glue a slightly bigger piece behind the opening and let it dry fully. From a few steps away it reads as hollow ghost eyes.
Step 5: Trim the Hem and Add Arm Slits
Cut the sheet to its final length and give the hands a way out so the wearer can hold a bag, a flashlight or a railing.
- With the costume on, re-mark the hem at mid-shin or just above the ankle all the way around. Take it off and cut along the marks. A slightly wavy, uneven hem looks more ghostly than a straight one.
- Fold the edge under with iron-on hem tape for a neater finish, or leave it raw for one night.
- Mark where the wearer's hands meet the sheet at waist height and cut a vertical slit about 6 inches (15 cm) long at each mark.
Tip: To stop the whole sheet from swinging around in the wind, pin a loose belt of white ribbon or elastic around the waist on the inside, or safety-pin the sheet lightly to the shoulders of the clothes underneath.
Step 6: Add a Face and Finishing Touches
A drawn or felt face is optional, but it makes the ghost easy to recognize and hides the real eye holes.
- Slide a piece of cardboard inside the sheet behind the face area so the marker doesn't bleed through to the back.
- Draw a wide oval mouth with a black fabric marker or glue on felt, and outline the eye holes in black.
- For a glowing ghost, paint a few swirls with glow-in-the-dark fabric paint and let it dry fully before wearing.
Troubleshooting
Most problems come down to the sheet moving, overheating or length.
- The eye holes keep drifting: the sheet isn't anchored firmly enough. Add more pins at the sides of the cap, or switch to a cap with an adjustable strap that fits snugly.
- It's hot and stuffy inside: use a thinner sheet, cut the eye holes larger and back them with mesh, or use the open-face poncho version.
- The hem drags: fold the extra up inside and hold it with large safety pins.
Safety Notes
Make sure the wearer can see clearly ahead and down to the ground before heading outside, and never use a costume that covers the nose and mouth tightly. Keep the hem above the ankles. Add strips of reflective tape to the front and back, and carry a flashlight or glow stick after dark. Sheets catch fire easily, so keep ghosts well away from candles, jack-o'-lanterns with real flames and fire pits, and choose battery candles for your own decorations. For toddlers and young children, the open-face poncho version is the safer choice.
How do you keep a ghost sheet costume from moving?
Attach the sheet to a snug baseball cap or headband with safety pins, a few stitches or fabric glue, placing anchor points at the top, both sides and the back. The cap holds the sheet in one position so the eye holes stay over the eyes, and a light waist tie inside stops the lower half from swinging.
How big should the eye holes be on a sheet ghost?
Start with small holes about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, centered on the pupils, then enlarge them a little at a time while the costume is on. Oval holes wider than they are tall work best. The wearer should be able to see straight ahead and down to their feet before going outside.
What size sheet do you need for a ghost costume?
A twin flat sheet works for most children and many adults, and a larger sheet suits tall adults. Drape it over the wearer's head before cutting anything: the sheet should reach at least mid-shin all the way around. Trim off any extra so it ends above the ankles and can't be tripped over.
Can a toddler wear a sheet ghost costume?
For toddlers and young children, skip the full-face sheet. Make a poncho instead: cut a face-sized opening, drape the sheet like a hood with the face showing, and trim it to knee length. It looks just as cute, lets them see and breathe freely, and is much easier to take on and off.
A sheet ghost pairs well with a few other quick projects: add a hood-style poncho using the knots from our no-sew cloak guide, or glow details from our glow-in-the-dark Halloween crafts. For a small ghost who wants something to hold, try a paper plate mask, and decorate the house with coffee filter ghosts. Need a different idea fast? Our last-minute DIY Halloween costumes list has nine more. Browse everything in our costume accessories section.
