- How to Make a Burlap Wreath – 3 Easy Styles! - May 30, 2022
- How to Revive Wilted Hydrangeas – Guaranteed! - July 28, 2021
- Easy Canvas Painting Ideas – 30+ DIYs for Beginners - June 16, 2021
Easily make a fun, glitzy mermaid skirt, perfect for dress-ups or Halloween with these step by step instructions!
My daughter was a mermaid for Halloween last year. Well, she wanted to be a princess, but I talked her into being a mermaid. It was easy to convince her when she saw the glitzy fabric I bought from JoAnn to make her costume! She was adorable, and I had lots of compliments on her costume.
The other day, after many scoops of Nutella, I forced myself to sew another one, just so I could take pictures and post a how-to on it.
Sooo… if you want to make a glitzy mermaid costume, you’ll need this sequiny fabric (its called confetti-dot) I bought mine at JoAnns (and used a coupon!). Its great because it has some stretch, and it doesn’t really fray, which means less sewing. I was going for an “Ariel” vibe with my light green and purple, but a pink/orange combo would be cute too (like Barbie’s Mermaid Tale).
Start by measuring your child. You’ll need measurements for her waist, waist to floor, waist to knee, bust, and neckline to waist.
From there, figure out how much fabric you’ll need. My daughter is a tall and skinny 5 year old, and I used 1 yard for the skirt, 2/3 yd for the top, and 1 yard of tulle for under the “fin” part. You could use more tulle if you want it to be poofier. You’ll also need some elastic (1 inch width, for the waist).
How to make an easy mermaid skirt
1. Cut a rectangle (with fabric folded in half, so you get 2 rectangles). Use the waist to floor measurement, and add about 4 inches for the waistband casing. And then half of your waist measurement, plus 2 inches for seams and comfort.
2. Fold the rectangle in half again, and measure down the waist to knee length, and from there cut diagonally to the opposite corner.
3. Trim up your excess pieces, you should have 2 pieces from the sides selvage and 2 pieces from the bottom selvage. You’ll use these pieces for the “fin” part of the skirt.
4. Fold the tulle in half and then in thirds, so you get 6 long strips that are about 10 inches wide.
5. Sew the sides of the rectangle together.
6. With the fin pieces, cut the two skinnier pieces in half, and sew one skinny half to each side of the wider pieces. (If you buy extra fabric, you can just measure two pieces that are about 10 inches by 40 inches).
7. Fold the fin pieces in half, and measure up a few inches (on the skinny side), and cut from there to the opposite top corner.
8. Now you can kinda see how the fin part will come together.
9. Sew a gathering stitch along the top of each of the fins (the pointed side, not the straight edge), and gather it.
10. Pin them to the skirt, with the skinny end in the bottom middle, and the pointed side matching the side. (Man this is hard to describe, hopefully I’m making sense).
11. Gather the tulle.
12. Pin it to each side of the fin.
13. Sew all layers together, being careful to make sure you catch all 3 layers.
14. Sew the bottom middle part of the fin together.
15. Lay the skirt out, and trim the tulle to be the same length as the rest of the fin (or as desired).
16. Make the casing for the waist band. Fold the top down twice and pin it.
17. Sew all the way around, leaving a 2 in opening to slip in the elastic.
18. Slide the elastic through, using a safety pin on the end to make it easier.
19. Adjust the length of the elastic to fit properly, and sew it securely.
20. Sew the gap closed.
Done! Your little mermaid is going to love her new mermaid skirt!
I posted the tutorial for the Glitzy Mermaid Costume top, plus a little peak at my “craft room” next, go see it! If you don’t already follow me on Instagram (@thehowtomom) or Facebook (facebook.com/thehowtomom), now would be a great time to start!
Make Your Own Beautiful Living Succulent Wreath Centerpiece! Complete video course by Jeannine Romero now available through Skillshare.
Lindsey Johnson
Friday 4th of October 2013
So cute! I wish I could sew even more now. My youngest would especially be all over a mermaid costume.
[email protected]
Saturday 5th of October 2013
I'm sure you would be a natural at sewing! You should get out your machine and start with some pj pants or something.
Stacy Rambo
Friday 4th of October 2013
sooo adorable...I would totally want to win this in a giveaway, just tell me how! fabulous!!!
[email protected]
Saturday 5th of October 2013
If there's enough interest, I'll do it on Instagram next weekend. :)
Britney Mills
Thursday 3rd of October 2013
So fun! I loved the Little Mermaid as a kid and think this would have been so fun to have for Halloween! Thanks for sharing!