How do I Make a Real Mermaid Costume?

You can sew a mermaid costume with a few tools.

You can make a mermaid costume at home for a Halloween party or school recital. The mermaid costume is unique enough that it should stand out at a gathering, but it still is easy enough to put together on your own using just a few basic sewing materials and tools. You're sure to make a splash at any costume party you attend, whether you be on land or at sea.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 3 feet green fabric
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Elastic
• 1 foot chiffon
• Bikini top
• Felt
• Fabric glue

Instructions

1. Measure the distance from your waist to your feet with a measuring tape. Also measure the distance around your waist and around your hips.

2. Fold a 3-foot piece of green fabric in half lengthwise so you have a double layer of fabric 3 feet tall. Cut out a shape that resembles a pencil skirt and is as tall as the distance you measured from your waist to your feet. Make sure the top of the skirt shape is one half of your hip measurement, plus 1 inch for seam allowance. When finished, you should have two matching skirt panels, a front and a back.

3. Attach the two pieces together with straight pins, then sew a seam along the two sides of the skirt. Leave the bottom 12 inches of the skirt unsewn so you will be able to easily walk in the tail. Turn the skirt inside out so the rough edges of the seams are on the inside.

4. Fold the top inch of the skirt inward, making a fold, and place a stretch of elastic that is the same length as the measurement of your waist into the fold. Sew the fold down so the waist of the skirt can now be pulled on and off.

5. Cut 6-inch strips of blue or green chiffon, and sew them at about 6 inches from the bottom of the skirt so the strips hang down and make the flipper part of the tail.

6. Cut out two shell shapes from a piece of felt and attach them to the cups of a bikini top with fabric glue. If you are modest, attach some strips of chiffon to the bottom of the bikini top to cover your midsection.

Tips & Warnings

• Carry a bottle of bubbles with you to blow and make it look like you are underwater.

• Make sure your skirt is not so long that it creates a tripping hazard.

References

• Coolest Homemade Costumes: Coolest Homemade Mermaid Costume Ideas