An adult pours boiling water into the bowl, adds the tea bags, and steeps for five minutes to make a strong dark brew. Let it cool to warm (about 10 minutes) before children handle it.

Submerge the muslin squares in the tea bath. Leave them for 15-20 minutes; longer gives a darker antique tone. For an ombre effect, dip only the bottom half of each square. Remove them and squeeze out the excess liquid gently, then lay them flat to dry (about 20 minutes with a fan, or 40 minutes air-dry).

Once the fabric is dry, place a small ball of scrunched tissue paper or a scrap of wadding in the centre of each square. This fills the ghost head and makes the finished shape rounder. Gather the fabric around it and secure it tightly with a rubber band about 3 cm below the stuffing to form the neck. The head should feel firm, not floppy.

Glue two black seed beads onto the face of each ghost, slightly above centre, for eyes. Let the glue dry for 15 minutes.

Tie each ghost to the linen twine by looping the tail fabric around the twine and knotting it once. Space them about 12 cm apart. Let the tails hang freely; they drift nicely in any air movement.