1.
Prepare the Fabric
Lay out the two fabrics (the iridescent overlay and the lining) and press.
Cut 1-1/2 feet (18 inches) off the end of the lining fabric (Fig. 1); this small piece will be used later.
Finish the raw edges of both lining pieces (a two-thread serged rolled hem was used for a quick, easy finish, but another treatment would work as well). (Fig. 2)
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2.
Sew the Side Seams
Fold the larger piece of lining right sides together and end-to-end, so that it forms a rough square.
Measure 10 inches down from the fold and mark the location with a pin (Fig. 3).
Sew or serge a narrow seam from each 10-inch mark down to the finished raw edge. Turn the fabric right side out.
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3.
Hang It Up
Lay the newly seamed lining flat. At the center of its top fold, make a tiny snip with scissors. Insert the top of a coat hanger through this hole.
Now, as you can see, your creation nearly looks like a garment (too bad it's for a ghost!). But it's limp and lifeless, so in the next step you'll flesh it out. (Fig. 4)
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4.
Flesh Out Your Ghost
Thread a needle with invisible thread and bring some pins and polyester fill over to your ghost.
Insert the polyester fill through the "arms," stuffing your ghost from the top of the coat hanger down about 8 to 12 inches. Pin at intervals beneath the stuffing to temporarily hold it in place.
Then sew long basting stitches across the ghost from arm to arm on the pin line (these stitches won't show, so don't spend too much time on them).
Slip stitch the arm edges closed. (Fig. 5)
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5.
Sew 'n Stuff
Fold up about 3-1/2 inches of the lining hem, and press. Stuff polyester fill inside as you sew a straight seam (Fig. 6). This will create a tube effect and help stiffen the hem so that it stands away from the garment.
To discourage polyester fill from oozing under the needle as you sew, keep a finger on the cloth ahead of the presser foot (but don't apply enough pressure to impede the fabric feed or it may damage the fabric or needle).
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6.
Hem the Iridescent Fabric
Fold both raw edges over about 5/8 inch; then over again 5/8 inch to create a double fold. Sew just inside the fold's edge to form a casing. (Fig. 7)
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7.
Wire the Hem
Insert wire into the hem casing. To prevent the wire from catching the fabric, double the wire back on itself at its end to form a tiny loop. Twine the excess tightly around the main wire, and push the loop through the hem casing.
When the wire emerges, proceed to thread it through the hem at the opposite end of the fabric, so that the joined wired hems form a circle. (Fig. 8)
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8.
Make the Head
Now, lay down the iridescent fabric with its wired hem at bottom and its fold at the top. At the center of the fold, between the two layers of fabric, insert a mound of polyester batting.
Lift up the fabric, with the mound of polyester fill forming a head shape just above your fist. Smooth the 18 inches of lining around the head like a kerchief. (Fig. 9)
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9.
Assemble the Ghost
Take the iridescent head over to the stuffed lining. Ease the iridescent fabric down over the coat hanger.
Tie the "neck" with some thick black yarn, smooth out the pleats of the kerchief, and adjust the material so that it falls naturally.
Then, with transparent thread, make a few catch stitches to join the front and back lengths of iridescent fabric at each shoulder and under each arm.
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10.
Join the Hems
Also with the transparent thread (or matching thread), tuck the iridescent wired hem beneath the lining's tube hem, and catch stitch them together (Fig. 10).
The joined hems will now stand out and give your ghost some volume.
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11.
Give Him Eyes to See With
Glue or sew acrylic jewels to two black felt triangle eyes and two oval buttons (Fig. 11).
If you're gluing on the jewels, use plenty of glue because the felt absorbs a lot of it. Slip stitch the felt eyes and buttons onto your ghost.
Now give your ghost a life and hang him on the porch for all to see!
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