How to Create a Spooky Silhouette

If you’re at all familiar with my style, you know I have a “thing” for vintage portraits, photos, and silhouettes. I’ve managed to curate quite a collection over the years. While I keep my portraits out all year long, there is something about them that screams SPOOKY — making them the perfect accent for All Hollows’ Eve. Yes, they are moody and lean on the macabre side but that’s what I adore about them! Let’s jump into how to create your own spooky silhouette with this easy witch-craft (see what I did there?)!

Now, I realize that most of you reading this aren’t running about adopting all the vintage portraits out there. It’s okay. I’ll do it for you. BUT there is a simple way to bring a little of that ghostly vintage flair to your home.

**This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, I make a small commission. Like, a cup of coffee or a splash of wine. Which I solemnly swear to sip while creating more content like this for you!

Supplies Needed to Create a Spooky Silhouette

Embroidery hoops of various sizes
Fabric scissors
1/2 yard of sheer fabric
2-3 black felt sheets
Flat black spray paint
Fabric glue
Printed silhouettes as a pattern *
Sewing pins
Family Halloween station playing on Pandora (this is crucial for success)
Bottle of wine ( a nice red – I prefer a good Malbec)
Glass (if you want to be classy)

*Simply Google witch/bat/skull/raven/etc. silhouette – you can find the silhouettes I used here, here, here, and here

Steps – Let’s Do This!

Fill wine glass (necessary for crafting at all times)
Remove screws from the embroidery hoops
Spray two coats of flat black spray paint over the embroidery hoops
While the embroidery hoops dry, cut out your chosen silhouette patterns
Take a sip of wine
Pin the patterns to the black felt sheets with sewing pins to keep in place
Use fabric scissors to cut around the patterns
Remove pins and patterns
Take a sip of wine
Clean up any detail areas with the scissors
Cut squares of sheer fabric that are about two inches longer than each embroidery hoop
Place sheer fabric over the interior hoop and place exterior hoop over top
Pull fabric tight to smooth any wrinkles and tighten the embroidery screw
Take a sip of wine
Use scissors to clean up excess fabric along the backside of the hoops
Dab the back of the felt silhouettes with fabric glue
Gently place silhouettes in the center of the hoop
Finish wine

How to Style Your Spooky Silhouette

Here’s the fun part. I love grouping my silhouettes in odd bunches while paying attention to balance and size. I styled three smaller hangings on the right and kept my large hanging on the left for this space. You can also add a silhouette or two as an eerie accent on a gallery wall.