Make Ghostly Outdoor Draperies for Halloween

Add a spooky touch to your front porch this Halloween with billowing, tattered draperies made from budget-friendly cheesecloth.
Tattered Draperies on Halloween Decorated Porch

Cheesecloth Apparition Draperies

These billowing, tattered draperies made from budget-friendly cheesecloth will add an eerie atmosphere to your front porch or an interior doorway. Get step-by-step instructions.

Follow Brian on:

Materials Needed:

  • several yards of cheesecloth
  • 1/4"-thick 2x4 poplar strips
  • staple gun and 9/16" staples
  • scissors or utility knife
  • tape measure
  • bucket
  • bags of black tea
  • hot water
  • mitre box and saw

Cut Poplar Strips and Cheesecloth

Use a tape measure to determine each panel's height and width then cut fabric (Image 1). Use a mitre box and saw to cut poplar strips to the same width as fabric (Image 2).

Tea-Stain Fabric

Boil water, then pour into bucket and add bags of black tea. Soak cheesecloth in bucket overnight so its white tone takes on an aged effect (Image 1). Remove cheesecloth from bucket and drape over a bannister, fence or door so it can dry (Image 2).

Hang and Tatter Fabric

Once dry, staple cheesecloth panels to poplar strips (Image 1) then staple poplar to porch's overhang (Image 2). To create a tattered effect, cut random holes with scissors or a utility knife then pull the fabric to create runs (Image 3).

Next Up

The 56 Best Halloween Costumes You Can Order Online

Check out these cute costume ideas for the whole family.

23 Best Pop Culture Halloween Costume Ideas for 2025

Make an entrance (and earn a lot of laughs) with these Halloween costumes inspired by trending moments in TV, music, movies and more in 2025.

PSA: Target's Hyde & EEK! Boutique Is Back, and We Want Everything

Halloween decorations have officially hit the shelves at Target! See their 2026 collection and snag our top picks while supplies last.

Make This Easy-to-Sew Spider Hand Puppet for Halloween

No sewing machine is required for this darling spider hand puppet!

20 Best Halloween Countdown Calendars

The countdown to Halloween is on! Start a fun new tradition with these festive calendars.

40+ Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Order Online

Are the holidays sneaking up on you? We've got you covered for the first one to hit the scene — Halloween — with costumes you can get delivered to your home in a matter of days.

This Year's Best HGTV Halloween Costumes

Are y'all ready to see some awesomely creative Fixer Upper and Property Brothers Halloween costumes?

New Shows on HGTV and DIY Network to Watch in October

Count on new episodes of Property Brothers, Rehab Addict and more when spooky Halloween watches get to be too much.

How to Make a Scarecrow to Frighten Unwanted Critters From Your Garden

Build a simple scarecrow of your own design using wooden garden stakes, some old clothes and shoes, a hammer and a little imagination.

Growing Pumpkins in Containers

Raise a crop of pumpkins on a deck or patio—with no garden bed in sight. Learn how to grow pumpkins in pots no matter where you live.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

About HGTV

HGTV’s expert editors and writers share home decorating, garden and home improvement ideas, inspiration and advice based on our brand’s 30+ years of expertise and experience. We also give you the latest updates on HGTV shows and stars, cleaning tips and shopping recommendations. Learn more about us and our editorial standards.