DIY Pottery Barn-Inspired Gus the Ghost Pillow: Easy Tutorial with Minimal Sewing
Make your own Pottery Barn-inspired Gus the Ghost Pillow with this easy DIY tutorial! A cute Halloween décor project that requires minimal sewing and is budget-friendly.
DIY Pottery Barn-Inspired Gus the Ghost Pillow
Love the adorable ghost pillows that pop up every Halloween? This DIY Pottery Barn-inspired Gus the Ghost Pillow gives you the same cute, cozy Halloween look with an easy homemade version. With its simple ghost shape and friendly face, this pillow is perfect for adding a playful touch to your sofa, bed, entryway bench, or favorite reading chair.
Best of all, you don’t need advanced sewing skills to make it. This is a minimal-sewing Halloween DIY that’s approachable for beginners and can be completed using basic supplies. It’s an easy way to get the designer-inspired Halloween look without spending a lot on seasonal décor.
An Easy Halloween Pillow DIY with Minimal Sewing
If complicated sewing projects aren’t your thing, you’ll love how simple this DIY ghost pillow is to put together. The construction is straightforward, with only a small amount of sewing required to create the pillow shape. Once assembled and stuffed, the simple face brings Gus to life.
This project is especially fun if you enjoy seasonal crafts that look impressive but don’t take days to finish.
Beginner-friendly Halloween DIY
Minimal sewing required
Simple ghost-shaped design
Budget-friendly alternative to designer décor
Easy to customize
Cute addition to a Halloween sofa or bed
Fun project to make in an afternoon
Get the Pottery Barn Halloween Look for Less
Pottery Barn’s Halloween collections are known for combining spooky seasonal details with cozy, classic home décor. This Pottery Barn-inspired Halloween DIY lets you recreate that same whimsical look while adding a handmade touch to your home.
Style your finished Gus the Ghost Pillow with chunky knit throws, neutral pillows, pumpkins, candles, and other black-and-white Halloween decorations for a cozy fall display. You can also make more than one ghost in different sizes to create a little collection for your sofa or fireplace.
Whether you’re decorating your entire home for Halloween or just want one cute seasonal accent, this easy DIY Halloween pillow is a simple project that adds plenty of personality without requiring advanced sewing skills or expensive supplies.
Looking for free knitting patterns? Browse this full collection of easy knitting patterns you can start today:
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DIY Pottery Barn-Inspired Gus the Ghost Pillow: Easy Tutorial with Minimal Sewing
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Supplies needed:
Pillow form (mine was 20 inches)
Sherpa fabric (1 yard)
Felt for the eyes
Needle & thread
Fabric pumpkin- make sure it is lightweight (the crochet pattern for the one I used is here)
Directions:
Take the two top corners of the sherpa fabric and bring them around to the back of the pillow form. Pull the corners together and tie them securely in a knot. Adjust the fabric around the front and sides so it drapes evenly and creates the soft, rounded shape of the ghost. Keep the knot positioned at the back where it won’t be visible when the pillow is displayed.
This is what the pillow should look like once the two top corners of the fabric are pulled toward the back and tied together in a knot. Adjust the fabric as needed so it drapes smoothly over the pillow form and creates the rounded ghost shape in the front. Keep the knot positioned at the back so it stays hidden when the finished ghost pillow is displayed.
Place the sherpa fabric over the top of the pillow form, arranging it so it drapes evenly over the front, back, and sides. Depending on the size and shape of your pillow form, you may need to trim the sherpa fabric to fit. Cut away any excess fabric a little at a time, checking the shape as you go. Leave enough fabric around the bottom and sides to create the loose, flowing shape of the ghost.
Sew the fabric securely to the top of the pillow form to keep it from shifting or slipping off. Position the fabric exactly where you want it, then use a needle and coordinating thread to make several small, discreet stitches through the fabric and pillow form. Keep the stitches hidden within the fluffy fabric as much as possible. You only need a few secure stitches at the top—the rest of the fabric should hang loosely over the pillow form to create the ghost’s soft, draped shape.
Cut two oval-shaped eyes from black felt, making sure they are similar in size and shape. Position the eyes on the front of the ghost and adjust them until you’re happy with the placement. Secure the felt eyes by hand-sewing them in place with black thread using small stitches around the edges. For an even quicker, no-sew option, attach the eyes using fabric glue or hot glue. Allow the glue to dry completely before handling or stuffing the pillow.
Position the pumpkin on the front of the ghost so it looks like he is holding it between his arms. Once you’re happy with the placement, use a needle and coordinating thread to hand-sew the pumpkin securely to the ghost pillow. Make several small stitches around the back and sides of the pumpkin, keeping the stitches hidden as much as possible. Be careful not to pull the thread too tightly, which can cause the fabric to pucker. When finished, gently arrange the ghost’s arms around the pumpkin to create the cute, cuddly look.
Easy Handmade Halloween Décor for Less
This DIY Pottery Barn-inspired Gus the Ghost Pillow is an easy way to get the look of popular designer Halloween décor on a smaller budget. The simple ghost shape works especially well with neutral fall décor, but it’s playful enough to stand out among pumpkins, throws, and other seasonal accents.
Once you’ve made one, try creating a few ghost pillows in different sizes or fabrics for a coordinated Halloween display. Place them on a sofa, accent chair, bed, or entryway bench for an easy Pottery Barn-inspired Halloween look with a handmade touch. Since the project requires minimal sewing, it’s also a fun option for beginners looking for a quick DIY Halloween décor project.
More Halloween DIY, Craft & Sewing Projects
If you enjoyed making this ghost pillow, try one of my other Halloween DIY, craft, and sewing projects next. From handmade decorations to easy seasonal sewing ideas, these projects are a fun way to give your home a festive Halloween makeover without spending a lot on store-bought décor.
DIY Ghost Pillows Inspired by Pottery Barn
DIY Printed Halloween Candles
Jack-O-Lantern Costume- Easy to sew!
DIY Jack Skellington Pillow Pottery Barn Dupe
Easy DIY Spider Costume Any Size
Easy Metallic Leaf Wreath DIY for a Cozy Fall Front Door
How to Layer Iron-On Vinyl with Cricut (Easy 2-Color T-Shirt Tutorial)
How to Make an Easy Macrame Ghost
How to Paint Faux Terracotta Pumpkins
Whether your Halloween style is cute, spooky, or somewhere in between, these easy projects will help you create one-of-a-kind decorations for the season.
A Cozy Ghost Pillow for Halloween Decorating
This DIY ghost pillow is easy to work into almost any Halloween decorating style. The soft white fabric and simple black eyes give it a cute, whimsical look rather than a scary one, making it perfect for cozy fall spaces and family-friendly Halloween décor.
Place your finished ghost on a sofa with chunky knit blankets, plaid pillows, and pumpkins, or use it as a fun accent on a bed, bench, or reading chair. The neutral design also pairs beautifully with traditional orange and black decorations as well as more understated Pottery Barn-inspired Halloween décor.
When Halloween is over, simply tuck the pillow away with your seasonal decorations and bring it out again next fall. It’s an easy handmade Halloween project that can become part of your decorating year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions about DIY Pottery Barn Gus the Ghost Pillow
Is this DIY Gus the Ghost Pillow beginner-friendly?
Yes! This DIY Pottery Barn-inspired Gus the Ghost Pillow is a great project for beginners because it requires very little sewing. Most of the ghost shape is created by draping and knotting the sherpa fabric around a pillow form.
What kind of fabric works best?
Sherpa fabric works especially well because its fluffy texture gives the ghost a soft, cozy appearance. Fleece or another thick white fabric could also work, although the finished look will be slightly different.
Do I need a sewing machine?
No sewing machine is required. The small amount of sewing in this project can easily be completed by hand. You can also use fabric glue or hot glue to attach the felt eyes if you want to reduce the amount of sewing even further.
Can I use a pillow I already own?
Absolutely. Repurposing an old pillow or pillow form is an easy way to make this DIY Halloween pillow even more budget-friendly. Simply adjust and trim the sherpa fabric to fit your pillow.
How do I keep the fabric from slipping off?
After knotting the top corners together in the back, add a few small stitches at the top to secure the sherpa fabric directly to the pillow form. This keeps everything in place while allowing the bottom to remain loose and draped.
Can I make the pumpkin removable?
Yes. Instead of permanently sewing the pumpkin to the ghost, you could attach it with a few removable stitches. This also allows you to change the accessory later if you’d like.
This DIY Pottery Barn-inspired Gus the Ghost Pillow is an easy way to add a cute designer-inspired touch to your Halloween décor without complicated sewing. The fluffy sherpa fabric, simple felt face, and little pumpkin give Gus plenty of personality while still fitting beautifully with cozy fall decorations.
Display him on a sofa, chair, bed, or entryway bench alongside pumpkins, plaid pillows, and chunky throws. It’s a quick DIY Halloween décor project you can bring out and enjoy year after year.
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Happy making!
