How to Make a Fishtail Gown

Fishtail gowns can be worn at parties and other formal events.

A mermaid dress or a fishtail gown is often worn as formal attire. This style is used in wedding dresses and prom gown designs, for example. This style of dress is called a fishtail gown because the bottom shape strongly mirrors a fish or mermaid. The bottom of the gown fits tightly over the woman's legs and flows out from the calves into a small tail-like train. The bodice of a fishtail gown can be a camisole or strapless with any design. Make your own fishtail gown by attaching the train to a skirt and bodice of your choice.

Things You'll Need

• Sheath dress pattern
• Scissors
• Pins
• Fabric pencil
• Dress fabric
• Thread
• Home sewing machine
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

1. Purchase a sheath dress pattern. You must alter this pattern to create a fishtail gown. It's difficult to find mermaid style patterns at your local craft or fabric store, so it's likely you'll need to customize your own dress pattern. Cut the various pieces of the pattern to match your body measurements.

2. Cut the panels for the skirt to a desired length. Typically, this style of dress is worn at floor length for formal events. However, you can also make short cocktail dresses with a fishtail.

3. Pin the fabric to the pattern pieces. Cut the fabric following the direction of the pattern pieces.

4. Remove the pins and pattern from the fabric. Pin the longer edges of the skirt panels together with right sides facing.

5. Sew the panels together using your sewing machine. Iron the directed seam allowances flat. Sew a bodice for the gown together as instructed in the pattern directions.

6. Multiply the circumference of the skirt bottom by 2. Measure the distance from the floor to the skirt bottom and add 1 inch.

7. Cut out a rectangle from the fabric that is as wide as the circumference measurement and as long as the floor distance from Step 6.

8. Pin the short edges together with right sides facing. Sew the edges and iron the seams flat.

9. Turn one of the longer edges of the rectangle under and sew on the fold line. Iron it flat. Repeat on the other long edge of the rectangle using a gather stitch.

10. Pin the back of the skirt to the top of the rectangle along the edges. Be sure it's pinned right sides together before sewing.

11. Sew the rectangle to the skirt. Iron flat the seam allowances and remove the gathering stitches.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add a bustle to the back of the fishtail to make it appear fuller.

References

• "Couture Sewing Techniques"; Claire B. Shaeffer; 1993
• Kata Falk: How to Sew a Fishtail Skirt
• Belly Star: How to Make a Mermaid Skirt

Resources

• "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sewing"; Ydia Wills; 2000