Mermaids, & more importantly, the Merbaby.

I know this is a little weird. Especially maybe for people without kids, or people without girl kids, or non-doll people, or non-mermaid people, but for anyone who is into these things, either by natural proclivity or by default because of your offspring, you can see the importance of these removable mermaid tails.

They fit all the major dolls in the house and are interchangeable and even fit the baby dolls, creating the main player of all underwater play here— the Merbaby.

I made the first tail before Christmas but never finished the second one and the holidays got a little out of hand anyway. I sort of remembered them around Easter, but again, couldn't finish them and then about 2 weeks ago finally finished them after I had to make the shell-shaped bras, which I discovered are almost as important as the Merbaby herself. There was a lot of pantomiming here, "The shell-shaped bra, Mom, you know??" Yes, I know. So, both girls got the tails and the shell-shaped bra. They do know the real Little Mermaid story, where she turns into seafoam (minus some details) not hanging with prince Eric on some crazy boat or whatever.  And there is no Merbaby. I am thrilled these have been well received considering how close they are to a major licensed character, and yet are not that licensed character. The only issue is they don't go into the bathtub, but that seems to be okay. The middle child told me her Merbaby takes her tail off to pee. Ha!

Here's how to make the tail suitable for Mermaids or Merbabies-

Supplies:

1/8" elastic for the waist
velcro for the shell bra
wool felt and cotton velour (I got mine from Wier Dolls and Crafts)

*quantities depend on your doll size, but 1/4" yard of cotton velour is ample. I used one piece of 8 x 10 felt for the tail (folded in half) and another sheet for the bra.

1. Measure your doll, or if you need the tail to fit several dolls, measure the biggest one, or at least hold the fabric up to the doll and eyeball it. Measure the waist as well. You'll want the tail a bit longer and barely wider then the doll.

2. To avoid swearing, draw the tail shape on the wrong side of the velour, stitch on the line to another piece of velour (right sides together) and then trim. No shifting fabric that way. Now turn right side out.

3. Fold a piece of felt in half and draw the fin shape with a fabric pen/pencil, or something you can spritz out with water. Top stitch the lines through both layers and then cut out, leaving a scant 1/8" edge. The top will be on the fold, so carefully cut that open.

4. Stuff the tail in the fin opening, pleating it if needed, and top stitch through all layers, be sure to check the back. Put this on your doll to test the length and waist, if it's all good, fold down a bit of the top hem and zig-zag narrow elastic to the inside stretching the elastic (not the fabric) while you sew.

4.5 Make the shell bra by cutting out the shape in felt on the fold—this length is longer that you think to make it in all one piece, you might have to make the bra and straps separately.

5. Sew velcro on the back and cover your naked mermaid immediately.

Comments

[Cheryl]

Cute mermaids. Had to laugh at how you were enlightened about when it's appropriate for the tails to come off....when they need to use the restroom. How cute! Thanks for sharing.

[lou @ the higher nest]

Okay, I don't have kids, but I can still see these are perfection!

[meggiecat]

Not weird, wonderful! Thanks for sharing this bit of girly delight.

[Amy]

Brilliant. Those tails are gorgeous.

[nikkapotamus]

What perfect timing! My little one has just declared herself Cinder-mermaid. I don't know how it works exactly, but the mermaid wears a blue dress and loses her shoe. (Do mermaids have shoes?)
I will have to make her a tail this week. Thanks for the great tutorial!

[sophia]

not weird at all...everything you posted today sounds completely normal. funny...but normal.

love reading your posts...it always makes me laugh and smile.

[melissa]

oh, you rock. I have a boy, but these will go in my "girl birthday party" file!

[Mama Urchin]

My mermaid would love this. We don't do the licensed mermaid really either. The marketing is relentless though. Anyway, a mer-baby is a fantastic idea.

[jen]

Absolutely perfect for those of us with (licensed) princess addictions! Thanks for posting, this will be perfect for my 5yo's water themed birthday party this summer as gifts to the girls!

[Nowheymama]

Excellent! We made paper ones for our small 3" dolls. This is a great idea for the larger ones.

[Rachael Rabbit]

Do you think I could make a Merbunny?

[Marla]

I'm a fan, though I've never commented before. My daughter asked if I could make a mermaid's tail for her. I'd been puzzling about how to...now maybe I can.

It's because she loves this video, and we watch it over and over:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APWOu41R4mg

[erin]

so smart! and good thing it comes off when she needs her legs or has to pee!

[Julia]

haha, I love that the mermaid takes her tail off to pee. That's one practical mermaid.

[heather]

As a mother of several mermaid fans myself, this is sheer genius! Thanks so much for sharing this, my girls will be thrilled to know their dolls can now be a part of their undersea adventures in the appropriate mer-attire.

[Nicole]

OH.MY.GOSH!! My kids will freak over this. I am SO staying up late to make this tonight! :)

[Amy]

not weird in the least..it's fun and creative!

[emily]

heart
heart
heart
heart.

You are a merbaby's dream mama!

[Bean]

Cute!! My girl already has commissioned one in pink, hehe! Weir dolls is the best, btw - we get all of our doll supplies from them too!! <3

[Donna]

Are your girls able to sit through read-aloud chapter books? The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes has a chapter where the girls meet a Mergirl and her merbaby sister.

[Kristen]

So flippin' cute! (No pun intended.) It makes me wish I was 8 again or had little girls of my own...someday... P.S. I loved yesterday's post about the collage grocery list, how cute and creative! I bet it's a great learning tool for kids too! I'm going to have to remember some of these ideas for that "someday" time... Thanks for the awesome blog.

[daria]

OH! I am in midst of sewing 18" doll wardrobe for imminent 18" doll birthday present, & this is excellent. Thanks! (Also, I love the illustrations a whole big lot.)

[Sally]

Ah! This is actually something I've been contemplating for quite some time now, the removable mermaid tail! So cool. The silly mermaid costumes that are really a skirt just don't cut it! I wonder how a child size tail would work? My friend's daughter used to wrap up her legs with a towel and 'sit on a rock' for long periods of time 'being' a mermaid. And now my little girl is getting a bit interested in mermaids. Fun!

Thanks for the tutorial!

[Kristen]

I also wanted to add that I just ordered your book and am so excited to get it and find some new crafty ideas. Thanks again!

[Gail]

Miss Amy, you're awesome! Thanks so much for this pattern; my girls are so into mermaids, and they're gonna go ape$#*%! over this! Love it!

[greta]

excellent...you are an angel to provide this tutorial!
Who DOESN'T love mermaids and merbabies?
Nobody in MY world ;)

[Tamar]

Oh my, my daughters in fits right now for me to make them mermaid tails and bra's (or as they say brawls). Your so clever!

[hannah]

it's like you have your own personal genius idea fairy.

[Collins]

Too cute. My daughter will go crazy. These will make the best gifts! Thank you!!!

[Mandy]

I think my boy would love this very much. But he loves bashing rocks into sand, too, so maybe I'm wrong.

[Rebecca]

OK, #2 made me laugh. Thanks.

[Andrea]

This is brilliant. Although I am typing quickly and quietly because if my 7yo comes in, I will have to make a dozen this afternoon. :D

[Kathryn]

sweet! and of course it makes absolute sense that a merbaby takes her tale off to pee. how perceptive.

[Rhian]

When I was a little girl I begged and begged my mum to make me a mermaid tail. I used to sit and preen and pretend I was on my rock. I never did get the tail, but maybe I can inflict it on someone (or something!) else now. Thank you so much for posting this, it's brought back a lot of very funny memories!

[Sarah]

Oh wow... this is so great! I think this is going to be an instant craft blog classic...

[Tracy]

Okay, I was willing to go there when I thought the tail was on your *real* baby, but, for some reason, the dolls really creeped me out. Sorry. I don't know what it says about me that I was okay with your infant wearing one...

[Allison]

I don't think the idea of a merbaby has occurred to my daughter yet... but if I can manage to make her one of these it will surely be the most important toy in the house.

I was hoping, from your title, that *your* baby would be the merbaby - a merbaby costume! But the shell bra would not be so appropriate then (and your older girls would surely point out that the shell bra is a necessity).

[Jody]

These are too adorable! I am going to make 2 for my favorite little girls :)

Thanks for the pattern!

[Paper Dolls for Boys]

You could make millions with this! So very cool.

[Jolanda]

Thank you so much! It's so lovely

[Linnea]

Haha :o) your post made me laugh!!! What a great idea.

[Sara R.]

How fun! Tucking this away for my future girls...or at least nieces. ;)

[gillie]

Sadly my three are too old to be seen in public in mermaid tails (though they acknowldege that they would be quite cool at home, in private!) .... I, on the other hand, thought they were brilliant and was a little shocked to realise that I appeared to be the only adult who wondered if it were possible to make a tail for herself?

[patricia]

What a brilliant idea! :)

[Nannette Spencer]

You have just saved my life as I know it to a mother of two girls obsessed with all things fairy/mermaid/princess. A million thanks!

[Jennifer]

You just made my day. Thank you!

[Celina]

This is genius! Thanks for sharing

[make and takes]

DYING!! Brilliant idea. My daughter will love it.

[Matilda]

I am a long time lurker and I just love your blog. I just had to comment on this. I made my daughter a mermaid tail for Halloween when she was one and not walking. Now that she is three she wears it and sits in the ocean ( the blue reusable IKEA bag) seeing as there is no way to walk. She is thrilled to see your merbabies and has set me to task to make one for her baby. Thank you so much for the how to. Also for your wonderful blog!

[kirsten]

EEEEKKK!

thank you so much.

my daughter will seriously heart this one.

[liz]

thanks! naked dolls (specifically barbies) ick me out. what a great idea!

[Cristina]

Saw the pleated beauty at Philadelphia's newest and best fabric shop today in a really great chandelier print perfect for summer. I could understand why the mermaid would want to ditch the tail if she got to do some summer sauntering with that bag.

[jen]

What no neoprene version for the tub? I'm envisioning a beer coolie that could be refashioned to do the job, but I'm guessing you don't have as many beer coolies lying around the house as we (and by we I mean my parents since those things went out in the eighties) do.
THose are awesome. It is so nice when the non-licensed version is accepted. We have boy here and, thus, superheroes. He digs on the generic (meaning non-specific character) home-job gear as well.
When is it that you do things like sleep?;)

[GC]

all of us 'sewing mamas' can relate to this. I remember when my own dd was litte I would get an 'order' to sew somthing or other and it HAD to be 'like this' with lots of verbal description and not much else to go on... Those are the memories of childhood. precious. Hold them fast! they go so fast!!!
(I know,.... sniff....:( )
enjoy!

[Christina]

oh, you are cool.

[abbyjane]

This is totally brilliant. I love that is so close to a branded character, but is not one, and that it is a handmade costume for a doll. The very best thing!

[Diana]

Amy, You are the absolute BEST! I swear I was just thinking of something similar to this last week, but had NO IDEA how to start. Thank you for the great photos, tutorial & giggle-worthy story (tail off to use the potty? OK!). You just made my extra-long day seem worth it!

[Annie]

This right here is why you are the queen of craft. It is magnificent and ridiculous all at once. Love it!

[Rosalie]

Wow! Hilarious and genius, all at once!

[Annette]

Absolutely not weird, but very sweet. Thanks for posting this!

[Shannon]

These are so adorable! I wish I had someone to make these for:)

[susan]

I think this has driven me to buy a sewing machine. Anyone have any suggestions for a newbie who hasn't sewed since home ec in 5th grade?

[Rebecca]

Wait a second. Aren't you obligated as a parent to go out and buy separate mermaid dolls for your girls? (Kidding, of course- this is a really, really fabulous idea and you have some lucky little girls!)

[Natalie]

It's a new world to me, but I know my daughter would LOVE this. She is 3 and plays mermaid in the tub, and even *on land* when she wraps her legs in her quilt, then kicks her tail gleefully. Thank you for sharing your merbaby recipe.

[Natalie]

It's a new world to me, but I know my daughter would LOVE this. She is 3 and plays mermaid in the tub, and even *on land* when she wraps her legs in her quilt, then kicks her tail gleefully. Thank you for sharing your merbaby recipe.

[colleen]

maybe a little weird but a whole lot of incredibly wonderful (which i think always needs a little weird, you know?). i had a hard time seeing past kirsten but the merbaby knocked me out completely. their little bikini tops! their perfect fins! the best.

[susan]

i am so glad your girls know the "real" story and not some dumb downed disney version. when i ask ANYBODY if they know the real version by hans christen anderson...its not by disney?...no, duh...the little mermaid in the harbor at copenhagen....geez....halloween of 2006 i made my grand daughter a mermaid outfit...i think i redid the zipper on the tail about 6 times...i just kept flipping it in the wrong direction, ugh...anyway, it is still a hit, she wears from time to time to play. i am making my sweet pea some sun dresses this weekend, she will love them. i miss her so much!!!!!!!!!!!

[tj]

...Absolutely adorable! I love this - thank you for sharing!

...Blessings... :o)

[monica]

I have three boys. They absolutely don't see the point of mermaids.

I love them. I collect pictures of them for my bathroom.

I'm alone. Sigh.

[heather]

Freak yes. I'm very happy to see this. My daughter will be even more happy. But you know the best part? The no swearing tip. More important every day around here. Not always successful, but seriously, one has to try, right?

[Kimber An]

Yanno, I've always wondered what happened after 'The End' at the end of all those mermaid romance novels. Thanks for illuminating me!

[Molly]

Yes, only moms of girls would truly "get" this. I can't wait to try this.

[readersguide]

Genius. My kids would have loved these. At 18 and 16, I think they're a bit past the mermaid stage, but I know they would have played with these for year!

[kathy]

Oh my goodness, these are too cute. Love the story and the pattern. Time for me to make up for those missed Easter deadlines.

[Megan]

GREAT idea!! You are such a good share-er. Will have to try these. Thanks :)

[Mee Crafty]

Brilliant!
My daughter has been nagging for a mermaid tail for weeks now and I have been unsure how to do it so this is great.
Thank you for sharing.

[emilykristin]

weird... i was just thinking of making these myself, but smaller -for strawberry shortcake dolls for the bathtub (no kids here, but gifts for kids of friends).

[angela]

I can't thank you enough for this tutorial. I'm so going to make these as a surprise for my girls. Were you peeping through our windows? My little ones were trying to make their own mermaids the other day by squeezing the legs of their baby dolls into socks. It worked for them, but what a treat it will be to have a real mermaid tail! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

[Lissy]

perfect...just what I needed..thanks muchly :)

[KateinNJ]

This I will have to try, my little P
LOVES mermaids et al.
Thank you.

[Abi]

I <3 this so much I've blogged about it over at Crafty Crafty - with full credit to you, of course! Hope that's ok - I think it's a great way to transform a toy.

[Jess]

This is complete and utter GENIUS!! Thank you. My girls with their princess/mermaid obsession thank you. Now I just need to fix my sewing machine or sweet talk my mom. :)

[sarah]

oh how fun. years ago i made a mer-fin for my daughters groovy girls very similar to this. thinking maybe i should make more... my middle daughter asked for a mermaid birthday party this year [though the theme changes weekly, i am thinking this one may stick].

[laura]

The tails are the best...just the best...thank you! No kids or dolls over here...but I'm such a mermaid lover..hmm...maybe I could make one in a 22/24. :)

[Neefer]

There are non-mermaid people?

[Katherine]

Cool idea. I made mermaids tails for my two children last year - draw a child-sized mermaid tail shape (I used newspaper to make the pattern). Then cut 2 tails from fabric (go for something shiny/glittery), and 1 from wadding (quilt batting). Sandwich and stitch together as if making an envelope-style quilt, leaving the top edge open to turn it right side out. Stitch the lines on the tail fin just like on the dolls' tails. Make a casing and stitch it to the top edge of the tail - then thread through a waist-sized strip of elastic, and stitch the ends of the elastic to make a loop. Tie strips of fabric and ribbons around the elastic loop (mainly on the 'front' edge) to look like strands of seaweed. There you have it - easy to get on and off, easy to walk around in. I can send some pictures if you're curious - I know I suck at instructions. Just hope it's of some help to those people who've posted that they want to make tails for their children to wear.

[Kirsty]

These are so lovely & would have been adored in our house a few years ago.

[Lauren]

If I hurry I can get two of these made before my daughters return from their daddy's house!
What a surprise it will be - Felicity & Samantha as MER-girls!!!!
THANK YOU!
:)

[Julia]

My grandmother made me a green mermaid tail to flop around in when I was little- man did I love that thing! I have a son, not a daughter, but if that changes I'll be sure to make her and her merbaby one too!

[Julia]

My grandmother made me a green mermaid tail to flop around in when I was little- man did I love that thing! I have a son, not a daughter, but if that changes I'll be sure to make her and her merbaby one too!

[Rebecca]

I was looking at the post and my almost 5 year old started chanting. I want that, I want that, I want that. So guess who is getting a blue mermaid costume for bitty baby? Someone at my house! I already bought fabric to make a costume for the birthday girl, so there should be enough fabric left over for bitty.

[mikodesign]

oh...wow, thank you so much, my girls will love that, I made a mermaid tail for their barbie doll but these are the best!!!!

[Tiffani]

This brought back great memories of making matching mermaid outfits for "Angelina Ballerina" and her owner a few years back. If she sees this, Kaya will probably have to have one too!!!

[Liesl]

Oh my gosh, how did I miss this post before? Great, great!

[Liesl]

Oh my gosh, how did I miss this post before? Great, great!