How to make a ghost plush

1. Materials & tools

Materials (For the standard size (20 cm wide, 26 cm tall))

• Main fabric (white fleece, boa or gauze) — about 50 × 35 cm
• Black felt (eyes and mouth) — about 10 × 10 cm
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing — about 50–80 g
• Optional: cord or ribbon to hang it
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Home” → “Ghost plush” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the width, height and number of hem waves. Presets for mini (ornament), standard and large (decoration).
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Decide the size
   Mini for an ornament, standard for a decoration, large for a cushion. Cut two body pieces (front and back).
2. Cut
   Cut the two body pieces and two eyes in black felt. Cut the eyes on the line, with no seam allowance.

4. Sewing

4-1. Add the face

1. On the front piece, sew on the black felt eyes or glue them with fabric glue. A felt mouth adds character.
2. Doing this before sewing the body keeps the stitches hidden inside.

4-2. Sew the front and back

1. Right sides together, sew all around, leaving a 5 cm opening on one side.
2. Clip the curve of the head and the valleys between the hem waves.

4-3. Turn and stuff

1. Turn it out and shape the wave tips with an awl. Stuff it and close the opening with a ladder stitch.
2. To hang it, sew a cord to the top of the head.

✏️ Clip the hem valleys right up to the stitching so the waves come out cleanly when you turn it. Fleece and boa won't fray.

5. Tips & variations

• Make a garland: string several minis on a cord for a Halloween garland.
• Vary the faces: move or resize the eyes and change the mouth for a different ghost every time.
• Try sheer layers: a layer of white gauze or organza gives it a soft, see-through ghostly look.