How to Make a Waterproof Mermaid Tail

Create the Pattern

• 1

  Have the person being fitted for the mermaid tail lie down on a piece of long butcher paper with her legs together. Trace around her lower torso up to the waist.

• 2

  Wrap the measuring tape around the person's waist and record the number on a piece of paper. Have the girl stand feet together and measure around her knees. Next, measure around her calves and ankles. For the final measurement, stretch the measuring tape down the front of the girl's torso from the waist to the floor.

• 3

  Compare the measurements you took to the tracing of the person being fitted for the mermaid tail and adjust the pattern accordingly.

• 4

  Use the scissors to cut out the pattern, leaving a 1-inch edge as a seam allowance around the lines you've drawn.

Create the Tail

• 5

  Fold the fabric with right sides together so you can cut out two pieces of the tail at once. Place the pattern paper on the fabric and pin it.

• 6

  Cut out the fabric along the edge of the paper pattern.

• 7

  Pin the pieces of fabric together and gently slip them on the person being fitted for the mermaid tail. Make any adjustments to the size by re-pinning where necessary.

• 8

  Take off the tail and sew along both sides one inch from the edge.

Finishing Touches

• 9

  Roll over the top edge of the garment toward the inside making a 1-inch fold, and sew down for a casing for an elastic waistband. Slit an opening in the waistband with scissors, and slip the elastic through. Adjust the waistband for comfort and hand-sew the ends of the elastic together with a needle and thread.

• 10

  Trim all inside seams with scissors so they lie as flat as possible.

• 11

  Turn the mermaid tail rightside out and have the girl try it on. The tail should be long enough to rest on the tops of her feet but not completely cover them.

• 12

  Have her try on the mermaid fin, and adjust the fabric around her feet so no skin shows.