Make Ghostly Outdoor Draperies for Halloween
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.
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).
Cutting the Cheesecloth
Use a tape measure to determine each panel's height and width then cut fabric.
Cutting Wood Strips for the Frame
Use a tape measure to determine the proper width of the covered porch intended for covering, as well as the proper height for each section of drapery. Cut wood strips to fit the size drape you want.
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).
Darken the Draperies
Soak cheesecloth in a bucket of strong tea overnight so that its white tone takes on an aged affect.
Drying the Fabric
Remove cheesecloth from bucket, then drape over a bannister, fence or door to properly dry.
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).
Hanging the Draperies
Hold poplar strips up to necessary walls or beams, then attach securely with staples and staple gun.
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.
