DIY Mermaid Costume…with a REPOSITIONABLE Fin!

Transform into a mermaid with a fin that can be repositioned for walking or sitting!

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Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at makeit-loveit.com.

This DIY mermaid costume features a unique repositionable fin, allowing easy movement. Made from spandex and sequin fabrics, the tail is sewn with a clever overlapping design. Step-by-step instructions guide you through measuring, cutting, and sewing the tail and optional leggings.

You'll need

Spandex fabric for tail (I purchased mine at Joann’s…amount needed varies)

Spandex fabric for top (I purchased mine at Joann’s…amount needed varies)

Sequin fabric for tail and top (I purchased mine at Joann’s…amount needed varies)

Felt (to thicken up the fin)

1 inch wide elastic (for waistband)

1/8 inch elastic (for the wrist piece)

Sewing Supplies

Directions

Measure from the wearer's waist down to their toe tips, then add about 2 inches to allow for growth and stretching.

Take a pair of leggings that fit the wearer and lay them on your spandex fabric. Cut along the right leg's outline, leaving an extra 1/2 inch for seam allowance. Start tapering at the knee and angle inward to the toes, cutting to your total length from step 1.

Fold the fabric with the cut right side as the center and cut along the left side, adding the same seam allowance so the tail shape is symmetrical.

Use the front tail piece as a guide to cut two back pieces that overlap each other by about 6 inches.

Take the two edges that will overlap, fold each over by 1/2 inch, then another 1/2 inch, and zig-zag stitch them in place.

Place the front tail piece right side up. Put the upper back piece on top right side down, then the lower back piece on top of that, aligning it with the front piece.

Pin everything together and sew along both outer edges with a zig-zag stitch to allow stretch.

Make quick leggings for inside the tail or let legs come out bare. For a waistband, cut a fabric strip 3 1/4 inches wide and elastic the same length as the waist measurement.