Do-it-yourself mermaid costume from improvised materials

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:47

Since Disney's The Little Mermaid, the mysterious, mythical sea creatures have captured the hearts of girls of all ages. Not surprisingly, various versions of costumes depicting these characters appeared on sale. But what if the budget is limited and the store option is not affordable? Make your own mermaid costume! Later in the article, we will show different options that require minimal sewing skills. In addition, in their manufacture they use items from the usual children's wardrobe, which greatly simplifies the task.

Custom look

The easiest way to make a DIY mermaid costume from scrap materials is to pick up a purple swimsuit online (Ariel the little mermaid theme is very popular, so it won't be difficult) or a shell-print t-shirt, as well as leggings from shiny material with a scale pattern.

But this option will be good for everyday life, andfor the holiday will need to try a little more.

For example, this adorable costume is made using paper cupcake liners and crepe paper.

Based on a blue T-shirt and greenish leggings. The costume is made very simply:

• bend the molds in half, cut the paper into strips;
• glue the elements to the T-shirt and to the bottom edge of the leggings;
• make a tiara out of an ordinary headband, shells and another mold.

And from a simple white dress and scales of shiny cardboard, you can create this beauty:

So you can make a beautiful mermaid costume with your own hands from improvised materials.

Convenient and easy

If you want a more durable outfit, then this option is for you.

Usually, mermaid costumes suggest the presence of a fish tail, but it hinders movement, or it is impossible to walk in it at all. But the child will want not only to slowly mince in an unusual outfit, but also to have fun and play along with everyone. Therefore, you can make such a simple and convenient version of the Disney Ariel outfit, which a little girl will surely like.

To make your own mermaid costume you will need:

• thick blue fabric;
• organza in several shadesblue, you can leftovers;
• stripe of purple fabric;
• sewing accessories;
• nude bodysuit;
• leggings or tights in blue or green;
• red wig (desirable).

Preparation for work:

• First of all, you need to take measurements. So you can accurately determine the required amount of fabric, depending on the age and build of the child. To do this, use a measuring tape to measure the circumference of the chest and waist, as well as the height from the waist to the heels plus 25 cm.
• Multiply OT by 2, take the resulting length of the tail, and you will get the size of the rectangle that needs to be cut out of dense blue fabric.
• Measure the circumference of the chest, also multiply by 2, take a width sufficient to cover the girl's chest, and cut out a rectangle of purple fabric for the bandeau bodice. From it, make a narrow thin strip for a tie around the neck.

How to sew a mermaid costume for a girl with your own hands

The further process of making the outfit is as follows:

• Fold the blue fabric in half, draw the outlines of a fish tail and cut it out. You will have two blanks.
• Cut small squares of 10x10 cm from the organza. Fold each in half and cut the bottom in a semicircle to make fish scales.
• Take 1 piece of ponytail and pin organza half circles to it, starting from the bottom. Gradually sew rows of scales so that the top rows cover the bottom ones.
• Cut off excess organza around the edges.
• From the remnants of the blue fabric, cut out narrow strips,which will become ties for the tail. Fold them face in, sew, turn inside out.
• Take part of the tail with scales, lay it face up, pin the strings and the second part of the tail (face down) with needles. Sew both blanks, be sure to leave about 10 cm from the top not stitched. Turn the tail inside out and sew up the remaining hole.
• It remains to tie a bandeau on the chest and thread a rope into the knot to tie around the neck.

Now you can put on leggings, a bodysuit, a top, a tail, a wig - and you will have a comfortable and beautiful mermaid costume ready. With your own hands (see the photo of the little princess in the image below), you can create a real masterpiece! And the costs are not so much.

You can replace the organza with felt in blue tones, and then you don’t have to make a base for the tail.

How to sew a mermaid costume with your own hands?

Ready for more intricate outfit options? For an older girl, this solution is suitable - with a long skirt, a comfortable blouse and a crown.

To make this DIY mermaid costume you will need:

• silver sequin fabric - 1-2m;
• organza blue and green - 0.5 m each;
• thick cardboard - 5 A4 sheets;
• wide elastic band - about 0.6 m;
• tulle - 1-2 m, more (optional);
• glue gun;
• sewing accessories;
• blue glitter;
• largesilver pebbles;
• blue bodysuit;
• silver braid - about 1 m;
• thick silver fabric - 3 small pieces.

Mermaid skirt

• Before you buy a fabric, take measurements so as not to be mistaken with its footage. The easiest way to find out the optimal size of the skirt-tail is this: ask the child to lie down on a large sheet of graph paper and outline the contours of the tail so that it does not fit tightly around the legs. To make both sides symmetrical, the paper needs to be folded in half and cut out a pattern along the most successful lines. Now you will know exactly how much fabric you need.
• Pin the pattern to the sequined fabric, cut out the details of the tail. Don't forget about seam allowances. If the skirt will be worn on a naked body, then it is advisable to make a lining of soft, pleasant fabric, since the decorative material is prickly. Or slip tights under your suit.
• Now sew one side of the skirt, and make a drawstring along its top and thread an elastic band into it, the length of which is determined by trying it on the child's waist in a slightly stretched state. After that, you can sew the second side of the tail.
• Now cut small scales of organza and, starting from the bottom of the skirt, glue them with a glue gun.
• To keep the fins in shape, take a piece of cardboard and outline them. Then cut out the blanks and glue them to each side of the fabric. The fins should be voluminous and fairly firm.
• After that, cut the tulle into thin strips about 40 cm long, fold them in half, tie the top with a knot and glue a little higherthe beginning of the fins. The skirt is ready.

Top and Crown

There is much less work here than with the bottom:

• Freehand draw a shell about 12 x 12 cm and cut out 2 blanks from thick silver fabric. Put the bodysuit on the child and, using pins, carefully mark the places for all the jewelry.
• Remove the blouse and glue the shells on the chest, silver braid around the neckline and on top of the shells, large stones under the chest in the form of jewelry chains.
• Print or draw the template for the crown, transfer it to heavy paper, and then to a piece of the same fabric that was used for the shells on the bodysuit. Cut out the material, glue it to the cardboard. Decorate the crown as desired with cut-out templates from cardboard and fabric of a different color, shiny stones, shells, and more.

Add a blue wig for a mermaid costume! With your own hands you have made a marvelous outfit for a matinee or a home holiday. You can be sure: the joy of the daughter will not be the limit!