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How to Make a Mermaid With Fabric

Dolls made of fabric are typically referred to as "rag dolls." They are soft, cuddly and comforting toys that every child should have. You can purchase rag dolls in stores, but you can also inexpensively craft them by hand as a personalized gift for your child. If your child loves the story of "The Little Mermaid," sew your own 16-centimeter mermaid rag doll. To further customize the doll, choose fabric and yarn that match your child's skin, eye and hair color. Use Barbie clothes to dress the finished mermaid.

Things You'll Need

Pattern (see Resources)
Cotton jersey fabric (skin-colored)
Metallic stretch fabric
Fabric scissors
Sewing machine (optional)
Cotton balls or polyester fiberfill
Toothpick
Thin-point felt pens (black, red and eye color)
White acrylic paint
Tiny paintbrush
Sewing needle
Thread
Yarn (hair-colored)
Hot glue gun
Hot glue
Barbie swimsuit top

Instructions

Getting Started
- 1
  Click on the link in the Resources section below and print the pattern provided. The pattern for this fabric mermaid project is the one outlined in blue.
- 2
  Trace the pattern on the fabric and use scissors to cut the fabric. You will need two copies of each body part, so double up the fabric when cutting to keep them even. Use the cotton jersey for the skin and the metallic stretch fabric for the tail. You can buy your fabric, or use scraps from old T-shirts, leggings or blankets.
- 3
  Place one of the mermaid head fabric pieces on top of the other head piece. Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, sew along the edges of the two pieces, leaving an opening at the top of the head. If using needle and thread, make very close stitches so the stuffing won't come out. Repeat this process for the rest of the body parts. Make sure to leave openings for stuffing.
Stuffing
- 4
  Carefully turn the body parts inside out. For the arms, use the toothpick to push the hands inward while pulling the ends of the arms slowly over the toothpick.
- 5
  Rip apart cotton balls to use as stuffing, or use polyester fiberfill if you prefer.
- 6
  Stuff each body part with the cotton fluff or fiberfill. Use the toothpick to push the filling into the delicate arms. Do not overstuff, as you don't want the doll to look lumpy. Even out the stuffing.
- 7
  Sew up the openings in the fabric using the needle and thread.
Drawing the Mermaid's Face
- 8
  Use the tiny paintbrush to paint two small white circles on your fabric mermaid's face. These will be the whites of the eyes. Let the paint dry before proceeding.
- 9
  Use the black felt pen to outline the eyes. Draw eyelashes, freckles or even eyeglasses with the black pen. Also draw the belly button.
- 10
  Make two irises for the eyes using the selected color of felt pen. Draw small black dots in the center of each iris to create pupils.
- 11
  Draw your mermaid's mouth using the red felt pen. To add rosy cheeks, draw a small red dot on your finger and dampen slightly with a wet cloth. Press the dampened dot onto the cheeks of the doll. The ink will lightly come off your finger and transfer to the cloth.
Finishing
- 12
  Using the needle and thread, stitch the bottom of the mermaid's head to the top of the neck; the arms to the shoulders of the body; and the bottom of the torso to the tail.
- 13
  Cut several pieces of yarn twice the desired length of your fabric mermaid's hair.
- 14
  Bunch the pieces of yarn together, ensuring they are all even with each other. Tie a piece of yarn tightly in the center of the bunch to hold it together.
- 15
  Hot glue the yarn to the doll's head, arranging the hair evenly around the crown while gluing. This will be like making a wig for the doll. The tied center should be glued directly to the top center of the doll's head. Pull some strands of yarn over the doll's forehead and cut them short to create bangs.
- 16
  Dress your finished fabric mermaid in the selected Barbie swimsuit top.

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