DIY Ghost Shelf Pillows for Spooky Halloween Décor

Looking for a fun and easy Halloween sewing project that adds just the right amount of spooky charm to your home? These Ghost Shelf Pillows are the perfect addition to your holiday décor. Small, sweet, and just a little spooky, they sit perfectly on a shelf, mantle or entry table to welcome trick-or-treaters and guests alike.

Best of all, this project is beginner-friendly and can be completed in an afternoon. Let’s get stitching!

Finished Ghost Shelf Pillow Size

Approx. 9″ x 6″

Ghost Pillow Supplies

Ghost Shelf Pillow Pattern (grab it HERE)
Fabric for ghost body – choose a favorite Halloween-themed print (black and white designs work especially well!)
Sulky Perfect Appliqué™ Fusible Web
Black Sulky Felty™ (for the eyes) or black quilting cotton fabric (if not using Felty)
Sulky 50 wt. Cotton Thread (black for appliqué & color to match fabric for construction)
Size 70/10 Universal Needle
Fiberfill stuffing
15″ length of 3/4″-wide grosgrain ribbon
Hand sewing needle

Instructions

Prepare the Pattern

Print the Ghost Shelf Pillow Pattern found in the Supply List above.
Cut out the ghost template and use it to cut two ghost shapes from your chosen Halloween fabric.

Create the Eyes

Apply Sulky Perfect Appliqué Fusible Web to the wrong side of the black fabric (or use Sulky Felty for added texture).
Trace the eye shapes from the pattern onto the fusible web paper backing.
Cut out the eyes and remove the paper.

Fuse & Stitch the Eyes

Choose one ghost fabric as the pillow front.
Position the eyes onto the front fabric where desired.
Fuse the eyes in place using a low- to medium-temp iron.
Thread the sewing machine with Sulky 50 wt. Cotton Thread (same in the bobbin) and a 70/10 Universal needle.
Secure the eyes using your favorite appliqué stitch – satin, straight, zigzag or even a decorative stitch for extra flair!

Assemble the Ghost Shelf Pillow

Place the front and back ghost pieces right sides together.
Stitch the ghost pillow perimeter, leaving a 3″ opening along the upper edge for turning.
Clip curves carefully along the seam allowance so the ghost shape lays smoothly once turned.

Stuff & Close

Turn the ghost right side out through the opening.
Use a blunt tool (like a chopstick) to push out the curves.
Stuff the pillow with fiberfill until plump.
Hand-stitch the opening closed.

Add the Bow

Cut a 15″ length of 3/4″ grosgrain ribbon.
Tie it around the ghost’s middle and knot into a bow.

Display & Enjoy!

Place the finished ghost pillow on a tray, shelf, mantle, or even in a Halloween vignette with pumpkins and candles. For extra charm, stitch up a companion ghost in a different fabric print so they can haunt your space together!

These little ghost shelf pillows are so quick to make, you may find yourself stitching a whole spooky family. They’re also a great project for using up fabric scraps and experimenting with fun stitches.