How to Make a Ghost Costume With a Pillowcase
To make a ghost costume with a pillowcase, pick a plain white pillowcase, cut a neck hole in the closed end and two arm holes in the side seams, then add a ghost face with felt or fabric marker instead of paint. That is the whole method: it takes about 20 minutes, needs no sewing, and works best for small children, dogs, and as a ghost "tunic" layered over adult clothes.
If you want the pillowcase ghost to feel like a finished costume instead of a craft project, The Costume Rack matches you to a ghost build and lists every piece you still need: Start my costume.
What you need for a pillowcase ghost costume
Keep the supply list short. Everything here is usually already in the house.
- One white pillowcase. Standard size (roughly 20 x 30 inches) for a toddler or small dog; king size (roughly 20 x 40 inches) for a bigger kid or a medium dog. Cotton is easier to cut and breathes better than satin.
- Sharp fabric scissors (kitchen scissors work, but they chew the edges).
- A washable marker or chalk for marking cuts.
- Black felt, black fabric marker or black iron-on patches for the face.
- Fabric glue or double-sided fabric tape if you are gluing felt.
- A plate or bowl to trace round holes.
Optional extras for a cute ghost costume: a white hoodie or long-sleeve tee underneath, white leggings, a small bucket, and a strip of white tulle for a floaty hem.
| Who it is for | Pillowcase size | Where the face goes |
|---|---|---|
| Toddler (about 2 to 4) | Standard | On the chest, not over the head |
| Kid (about 5 to 8) | King | On the chest or as a hood with open face |
| Small dog | Standard, cut down | On the back, facing up |
| Medium dog | King | On the back |
| Teen or adult | King, as a tunic | On the chest |
Cutting the pillowcase safely
The rule for any DIY pillowcase ghost costume: the wearer's face stays uncovered. A pillowcase over the head blocks vision and airflow, and that is not worth it for a cute photo. Put the ghost face on the body instead.
Step by step
- Turn the pillowcase inside out so any marks you make stay hidden.
- Mark the neck hole. Lay it flat with the closed end at the top. Trace a small bowl in the center of the closed end. For a toddler, start at about 6 inches across; you can always cut bigger.
- Cut the neck hole through both layers along the fold. Try it on. It should slide over the head without tugging.
- Mark the arm holes. On each long side, measure down about 3 to 4 inches from the top corner and mark a 5 to 6 inch opening along the seam.
- Snip the side seam open between your marks. Cutting on the seam line keeps it neat.
- Check the length. The open end should hit around the knee for a kid. Trim it into a wavy or zigzag edge for that classic ghost costume shape.
- Turn it right side out. Cotton will fray a little, which looks ghostly, so there is no need to hem.
No-sew tips for clean edges
- Fold raw edges under and press with fabric tape.
- A zigzag cut frays less than a straight one.
- Run a thin line of fabric glue along the neck hole so it does not stretch out over the night.
Adding the ghost face without paint
Face paint is optional. For a pillowcase ghost the face belongs on the costume, not on the person.
Felt face (cleanest look)
Cut two tall ovals for eyes and one bigger oval or a wobbly "O" for the mouth. Glue them to the chest area. Felt stays crisp in photos.
Fabric marker face (fastest)
Draw the face with a black fabric marker, then go over it twice. Slide a sheet of cardboard inside first so the ink does not bleed to the back.
Ghost face ideas that are not the classic "boo"
- Sleepy ghost: two curved lines for closed eyes and a tiny mouth.
- Shocked ghost: round eyes and a big round mouth.
- Cute ghost: small dot eyes, pink felt cheeks.
- Spooky ghost: tall dripping eyes cut from felt.
If the wearer wants something on their own face, a bit of white powder on the cheeks or simply a white beanie gives a ghost face without paint.
Pillowcase ghost for small children
A toddler ghost costume is where the pillowcase really shines. It is soft, light and costs nothing if you have a spare.
- Size up on the neck hole. Little kids hate tight necklines. If it catches on the ears, cut a little more.
- Keep the hem above the ankle. A floor-length ghost trips small walkers on stairs and porches. Trim so it hits mid-shin at most.
- Layer, do not rely on the pillowcase for warmth. Put a white or grey long-sleeve top and leggings underneath.
- Add a hood the safe way. A white hoodie under the pillowcase gives the ghost look up top while the face stays fully open.
- Make it visible at night. Stick a strip of reflective tape along the hem or carry a small glow stick.
For bigger kids who want a more dramatic look, the method in how to make a ghost costume out of a fitted sheet scales up the same idea with a built-in hood.
Pillowcase ghost for dogs
Yes, you can make a ghost costume for your dog from the same pillowcase. The dog ghost costume is simpler than the kid version, because it is really a small cape.
How to make a ghost costume for your dog
- Measure your dog from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, and around the widest part of the chest.
- Cut the pillowcase open along both long seams so you have a single flat rectangle.
- Cut a head hole near one short end, a little bigger than your dog's neck.
- Trim the length so the fabric stops before the tail and does not drag.
- Round the corners and cut a wavy edge.
- Add the face on the back, where you will actually see it when the dog walks ahead of you.
- Secure it loosely with a strip of hook-and-loop tape under the belly, or simply let it drape.
Keeping it comfortable
- Never cover the dog's eyes, ears, nose or mouth.
- Keep the legs completely free.
- Watch for signs your dog is unhappy, like freezing in place, tucking the tail or pawing at the fabric, and take it off if so. A ghost costume for dogs should be a two-minute photo, not an ordeal.
- Skip glitter, loose felt bits and anything they could chew off.
Making it warmer
A pillowcase is thin cotton, so on its own it is basically a T-shirt. Here is how to make a warm ghost costume without losing the look.
- White or grey hoodie underneath. This is also how to make a ghost costume with clothes when you do not have a spare pillowcase at all: white hoodie, white sweatpants, felt face pinned on the front.
- Thermal leggings in white, grey or black.
- Fleece gloves in white.
- A beanie in white or grey, which also reads as "ghost hood."
For a full layering plan by temperature, see what to wear under a ghost costume to stay warm.
Adult and teen version
For a ghost costume adult or teen version, a single pillowcase is too short for a full body, so wear it as a tunic. Cut the neck and arm holes as above, wear it over a white long-sleeve top and white or light grey jeans, and add a strip of tulle at the hem. It makes a cute ghost costume for women and men alike, and it is a great last-minute pick for a ghost group costume where everyone brings one pillowcase.
Not sure whether a pillowcase ghost is enough, or what to add so it reads from across the room? The Costume Rack takes your vibe (spooky, glam, funny or cosy) and what is in your closet, matches you to the ghost, and lists every piece with a version from things you own and a no-makeup build. Start my costume
Your pillowcase ghost, planned in two minutes
You now know how to make a ghost costume with a pillowcase for a toddler, a dog or yourself. If you want the rest of the look sorted, The Costume Rack builds your costume piece by piece in about two minutes, shows where to find anything missing, and runs a one-piece-a-day countdown to October 31 so nothing is left for the night itself.
FAQ
Can you make a ghost costume out of a pillowcase for an adult?
A single pillowcase is too short to cover an adult, but it works well as a ghost tunic. Use a king-size pillowcase, cut neck and arm holes, and wear it over white or grey clothes. For full coverage, a flat or fitted sheet is the better base.
How do you make a ghost costume for your dog without sewing?
Cut a pillowcase into a flat rectangle, cut a head hole near one end, trim it so it stops before the tail, and draw or glue a face on the back. Secure it with a loose strip of hook-and-loop tape under the belly. Keep the eyes, ears and legs completely free.
What is the easiest ghost costume for kids?
A pillowcase ghost worn over a white hoodie and leggings is about as easy as it gets. It needs no sewing, the face stays uncovered, and the whole thing takes about 20 minutes.
How do I make a ghost costume without a sheet?
Use a pillowcase, a white hoodie, or a white oversized tee. Pin or glue a felt ghost face to the chest and add white or grey leggings. It reads as a ghost with no sheet at all.
Should the pillowcase go over the child's head?
No. Keep the face fully uncovered and put the ghost face on the chest instead. A white hoodie underneath gives the hooded ghost look safely.