DIY Hanging Witch | Floating Porch Halloween Pottery Barn Dupe

If you love Halloween decorations but hate paying high-end store prices, you’re going to love this budget-friendly project. This DIY hanging witch is inspired by a popular Pottery Barn set that sells for $99 (or $79 on sale), but I made mine for just $13.50 each. That’s a fraction of the cost, and with the materials I bought, I could make four hanging witches — or even switch it up and create larger standing versions. Whether you want spooky charm for your front porch or indoor décor, this easy craft will give you a professional look without draining your wallet.

Find more of my Halloween Crafts here!

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Materials You’ll Need

All the materials can be found at your local craft store, online, or some even the dollar store if you want to keep the cost down. I’ll link my exact picks below. *This blog contains affiliate links, see my full disclosure here.

• Hot glue gun
• Black twine or ribbon
• Black cheesecloth or tulle
• Fairy lights
• Cardboard scraps
• Black burlap
• 4-inch Styrofoam ball
• Optional: Fabric stiffening spray
• Optional: Command strips (for hanging)
• Optional: Fishing line (for an invisible floating effect)

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Step 1: Prep the Witch’s Head

The Pottery Barn version uses a thicker fabric, but I went with a budget-friendly cheesecloth for that ghostly texture. Since cheesecloth has small holes, the white Styrofoam ball would show through, so I wrapped it in black burlap first. You don’t have to cover it perfectly, just make sure the top is hidden since that’s the most visible area under the witch hats.

If you can find black Styrofoam balls at the craft store, you can skip this step. Another option is to paint the ball black or wrap it in scrap fabric. Once the ball is covered, secure the burlap with hot glue.

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Step 2: Drape the Cheesecloth

Unfold your cheesecloth completely, mine formed a large rectangle when open. Fold it in half lengthwise for a double layer, which makes it less see-through. Lay this on your work surface. Then take another piece of cheesecloth, fold it the same way, and place it across the first layer to make a plus sign.

Center your wrapped Styrofoam ball on top, with the covered side facing up. Pull the fabric up and around the head to form the witch’s body. Tie a piece of black twine just under the head, this is the top of the hat area, and adjust the tightness to your preference. A looser tie gives a flowing cape look, while a tighter one keeps the fabric close to the body.

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Step 3: Add Support & Lights

Cut two cardboard strips about 6 inches long and glue them into a plus sign. Wrap them in leftover burlap so the light color won’t show through the cheesecloth. Glue the cardboard inside the bottom of your witch’s body to help spread out the fabric.

Now, add the fairy lights. Position the battery pack so it’s accessible, and use hot glue to secure the wire to the cardboard cross. Unwind the lights and arrange them so they shine through the cheesecloth for a magical glow.

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Step 4: Make the Witch Hat

For the witch hats, cut a 12×12-inch square of burlap for the base. Fold it into quarters and cut a rounded edge (or your best freehand circle). For the cone, roll a piece of burlap into a tall cone shape, Pottery Barn’s hats are comically tall, so I went for the same style. Glue along the seam, then trim the excess fabric at the bottom so the cone sits flat.

Glue the cone to the base, pressing firmly so it sticks. If you want, wrap twine around the base of the cone to hide any visible glue. You can leave the tip of the hat straight or bend it for a whimsical look.

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Step 5: Attach the Hat & Hanging Loop

Cut a short piece of twine (or fishing line for a nearly invisible hang) and tie it into a loop. Use hot glue or a sewing needle and thread to secure it inside the cone. Then glue the hat onto the witch’s head. Adjust the angle, I like a slightly tilted hat for character.

If you’re hanging your DIY hanging witch on your front porch, you can use command strips or fishing line attached to a hook. This keeps it secure even if it’s windy.

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Final Touches & Display

Once the glue has dried, gently adjust the cheesecloth and lights for the perfect drape. Place your witch where it can float in the breeze, whether on your front porch, in an entryway, or as part of a group display. The warm glow from the fairy lights adds just enough spooky charm to your Halloween decorations without being too scary for kids.

This DIY hanging witch project is simple, affordable, and totally customizable. With just a few supplies and a bit of creativity, you can have high-end holiday décor for a fraction of the cost.

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Have you tried making your own Pottery Barn dupes? Share your creations in the comments and let me know which Halloween project you want to see next!