How to Make Fins for a Mermaid Tail
There are several types of fins you can attach to mermaid tails. Typically the caudal fin--the large fin at the very end of the mermaid tail--comes as part of the tail itself. You can, however, add more fins to give your tail more detail. You can add a dorsal fin, set of pectoral fins, the pelvic fins and belly fin.
Things You'll Need
- 24 12-inch by 12-inch squares of shimmery fabric
- 6 12-inch by 12-inch cardboard squares
- 6 12-inch by 12-inch batting squares
- Ruler
- Fish anatomy picture with labels
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Fabric glue
- Measuring tape
- Scalloped-edge scissors
Instructions
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1
Measure the length of the back of your thighs to calculate the length of the dorsal fin. Draw a line of the same length on a piece of cardboard and connect the ends by drawing the hump of the fin, using a picture of a fish's dorsal fin as a guide. Cut piece out and set aside.
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2
Draw a 3- to 4-inch line on a piece of cardboard to make the base of the pectoral fins and pelvic fins. Use the fish picture as a guide to draw the rest of the fins. Do the same with three other pieces of cardboard. Cut all four out and set aside.
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3
Divide the length of the dorsal fin in half and use that measurement as the base of the belly fin. Draw the belly fin on a piece of cardboard. Use the fish picture as a guide for the shape of the fin.
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4
Place one of the cardboard fins on a piece of batting and cut the batting to the shape of the fin, following the edges of the cardboard as a guide. Do this with all cardboard pieces.
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5
Place one of the fin-shaped batting pieces on the back side of your fabric. Apply glue around the batting, 1-inch beyond its edge. Put another piece of fabric on top of the batting (back-side down) and press onto the glue. While the glue is drying, do the same for the other five batting pieces.
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6
Use the straight edge scissor to cut off the excess fabric 1/2 inch beyond the glue on the base of the fin (straight line). Use the scalloped scissors to cut off the excess fabric 1/2 inch beyond the glue along the hump of the fin.
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7
Open the unglued, 1/2 inch of excess fabric along the base of one of the fins and apply glue in the crevice. Attach the base to the part of the tail where the fin is meant to go--dorsal fin goes between the backs of your thighs, pectoral fins go on the hips, pelvic fins go right over the pelvis and the belly fin goes between the shins. Allow glue to dry. Do the same for all the fins.
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Tips & Warnings
Have a friend do the measurements, especially with your backside. Before cutting out the piece of cardboard, hold out the drawn shape against where it's supposed to go and see if it's to your liking. If not, redraw to make bigger or smaller until you're satisfied, before cutting the cardboard piece out.
