Ghost Pillow Pattern – make it 3 ways!
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This free Ghost Pillow Pattern can be used three different ways: make a textured ghost appliqué pillow, a traditional fabric appliqué pillow, or enlarge the pattern to sew an adorable stuffed ghost. All three make cute Halloween decorations, and the simple ghost shape makes this a fun project for newer sewists, too.
These ghost pillows are also a fun way to use up fabric from your stash and make the perfect companions for the Ghost Quilt Pattern I shared last year.
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Sew a Ghost Pillow for Halloween
Halloween is the perfect excuse to pull out your sewing machine and make something fun for your home. If you are anything like me, you probably have a collection of Halloween fabric just waiting to be turned into something cute.
For this project, I used the same ghost sewing pattern three different ways. The textured appliqué version is the one I walk you through step by step below, but the same ghost template also works for a traditional appliqué or an enlarged stuffed ghost.
Three Ways to Use This Ghost Pillow Pattern
Textured Ghost Appliqué Pillow
The first version is the textured ghost pillow shown in the sewing tutorial below. The ghost is made from several layers of fabric that are stitched together, slashed between the stitching lines, and then washed to create that soft chenille-style texture.
Traditional Ghost Appliqué Pillow
For the second version, I skipped the textured layers and used a traditional fabric appliqué instead. I also added a fun border made from the adorable Hey Boo mini charm pack by Moda Fabrics. I think this one would have been even cuter with a patterned fabric for the ghost.
Stuffed Ghost Pillow
For the third version, I enlarged the appliqué pattern and used it to make a cuddly stuffed ghost pillow. I’ve included the simple enlargement and sewing instructions farther down in the post.
Fun fact: when I asked my husband which pillow he liked best, he couldn’t resist the textured one!
Why Make This Ghost Pillow Pattern?
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Three projects from one pattern – Use the same ghost shape for a textured appliqué pillow, a traditional appliqué, or an enlarged stuffed ghost.
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Great for fabric scraps – The ghost appliqué and eyes do not require much fabric, so this is an easy project for using pieces already in your stash.
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Beginner-friendly – The ghost shape is simple to cut and sew, and you can choose the appliqué version that best matches your skill level.
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Easy to customize – Change the fabrics, add a pieced border, or embellish the pillow with ric-rac, piping, embroidery, or glow-in-the-dark details.
Best Fabrics for This Ghost Pillow Pattern
The best fabric depends on which version of the ghost pillow you want to make.
- For the textured ghost: Quilting cotton works well because the cut edges fray and soften after washing. Flannel is another good option if you want an even fluffier chenille-style texture.
- For the traditional appliqué ghost: Quilting cotton or another stable woven fabric is the easiest choice and gives you lots of options for prints and colors.
- For the stuffed ghost: Quilting cotton works well, but fleece, Sherpa, or another soft fabric would make the finished ghost extra cuddly.
Materials Needed
These supplies are for the textured ghost pillow shown in the main tutorial.
- Free Ghost Pillow Pattern (click that link to go to the pattern)
- Pillow cover fabric: About 1/2 yard for a 16-inch envelope-style pillow cover
- Textured ghost fabric: Five 10-inch squares of quilting cotton or flannel
- Eye fabric: Small scrap of black fabric
- Steam-A-Seam Lite or another fusible web
- 16-inch pillow form
- Thread
- Ruler
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Fabric pins
- Pen or pencil
- Optional: Clover Slash Cutter
Where do I get the free Ghost Pillow Pattern? The printable pattern is available in my pattern shop. Click the pattern link above, add it to your cart for free, and check out. Once you have downloaded the PDF, come back here for the complete sewing instructions.
Good to Know: How the Chenille Texture Is Made
The ghost’s soft texture comes from stacking several layers of fabric, stitching diagonal rows through all the layers, and then cutting between those stitching lines through only the top four layers.
The bottom fabric layer stays intact and holds the appliqué together. After the pillow is washed and dried, the cut raw edges begin to fray and fluff, creating the soft chenille-style finish. The Clover Slash Cutter is an inexpensive tool that makes cutting between all those stitched rows much faster.
How to Sew a Ghost Pillow
1 Print the pattern: Print the free Ghost Pillow Pattern and tape the pages together.
2 Prepare the fabric layers: Stack the five 10 by 10-inch fabric squares neatly together. Using a ruler, draw diagonal lines from corner to corner about 1/2 inch apart.
Continue drawing lines until the entire square is covered. Pin the layers together so they do not shift while you sew.
3 Sew the diagonal lines: Take the fabric block to your sewing machine and sew a straight stitch along each marked line.
4 Slash the fabric layers: Using a slash cutter or scissors, carefully cut between each row of stitching through the top four fabric squares. Leave the bottom fabric square completely intact.
5 Trace the ghost: Flip the fabric square over and trace the ghost pattern onto the back of the square.
6 Cut out the ghost: Cut around the traced line to create the ghost shape.
7 Add the eyes: Follow the directions for your fusible web and apply it to the fabric you are using for the ghost eyes. Trace the eye shapes onto the back of the fusible web, cut them out, and fuse them to the front of the ghost. Sew around the edges of the eyes to make sure they stay securely in place.
8 Position the ghost: Place the ghost on your front pillow panel and pin it in place. And yes, you can ignore the fact that my pillow panel is made from five different fabric pieces. I originally had a different plan when I cut the fabric and didn’t have enough left to cut another solid front panel!
9 Sew the ghost in place: Stitch around the outside edge of the ghost to attach it to the pillow front, then trim any loose threads.
10 Finish the pillow: Construct the pillow however you prefer, either with a zipper or as an envelope-style pillow cover. I made mine as an envelope-style pillow and followed my envelope pillow tutorial.
💡 Pro Tip:
If the stacked fabric layers start shifting while you sew the diagonal lines, switch to a walking foot. It helps feed all of the layers through the machine more evenly.
Ghost Pillow Sewing Tips
- Pre-wash darker fabrics. If your ghost appliqué is white or light-colored, pre-wash darker fabrics or use a color catcher to help prevent dye transfer.
- Check your seam allowance. Double-check your seam allowance before you begin constructing the pillow so your finished cover fits your pillow form properly.
- Protect the bottom layer when slashing. Whether you use scissors or a slash cutter, make sure you are cutting through only the top four layers and leaving the bottom fabric layer intact.
- Give an envelope back enough overlap. I like the back panels to overlap by about 4 to 5 inches so the pillow insert does not peek through.
- Wash the textured pillow to fluff it up. The cut fabric edges become softer and more textured after washing and drying.
Ghost Pillow Variations
Once you have the ghost template, there are several easy ways to change the look of the pillow:
- Skip the chenille texture: Cut the ghost from one piece of fabric and appliqué it directly to the pillow front.
- Try a patterned ghost: A Halloween print, stripe, polka dot, or other small-scale print would give the ghost a completely different look.
- Add a pieced border: Mini charm squares are an easy way to add more Halloween color around a simple ghost appliqué.
- Add ric-rac or piping: Either one makes a cute finishing detail around the outside edge of the pillow.
- Add embroidery: Hand stitching around the ghost or eyes adds another handmade detail.
- Try glow-in-the-dark details: Glow-in-the-dark thread or fabric would be especially fun for Halloween.
How to Make the Stuffed Ghost Pillow
To make the stuffed ghost, start by enlarging the ghost pattern using the slash-and-spread method. Cut the pattern into four sections, spread the sections apart on a larger sheet of paper or freezer paper, tape them in place, and redraw the outside lines to create a larger ghost shape.
Once the pattern is enlarged, cut two ghost shapes from your fabric. Add the eyes to one of the pieces first, then place the two ghost pieces right sides together.
Sew all the way around the ghost, leaving a small opening for turning. Turn the ghost right side out, fill it with polyester stuffing, and hand-stitch the opening closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get the free Ghost Pillow Pattern?
The free printable Ghost Pillow Pattern is available in my pattern shop. Add it to your cart for free, complete checkout, and download the PDF. Then come back to this tutorial for the sewing instructions.
Can I use different fabrics for the ghost appliqué?
Absolutely. The tutorial shows how to make the textured ghost appliqué, but you can skip the layered chenille technique and use a single piece of almost any fabric you like for a traditional appliqué ghost.
What if I don’t have a slash cutter?
Regular scissors will work. Carefully cut between the rows of stitching through only the top four fabric layers, making sure the bottom layer stays intact.
How do I make the textured ghost fluffy?
Washing and drying the finished pillow helps the cut fabric layers fray, soften, and fluff up into that chenille-style texture. If it still looks a little flat after the first wash, another wash and dry cycle can help. You can also gently separate or fluff the cut layers with your fingers once the pillow is dry.
More Halloween Sewing Projects
If you enjoyed this ghost pillow pattern, here are a few more Halloween sewing projects you might like:
- DIY Halloween Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial
- Easy Halloween Skirt Tutorial
- Jack-O-Lantern Quilt Pattern
- Halloween-Themed Modern Strip Quilt
If you make one of these ghost pillows, please share a photo in my Facebook sewing group. We love seeing what everyone is making!
Don’t forget to save this tutorial to your Halloween DIY or sewing board so you can find it again later.
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