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View Full Version : First tail making - for a 6 yr old!



MamaMermaid
11-14-2012, 11:03 AM
Hello everyone :)

I've had a good look around the forum, it's very informative and so inspiring!

I am an amateur seamstress, mostly sewing bags and bits and pieces for the kids, christmas stockings, the odd quilt, that kind of thing! But a friend of mine has approached me to sew a mermaid tail for her little girl, of course I said! Costume making is a favourite of mine, I do all the outfits for the nativities and dress-up days, I am sure I can do a mermaid tail I said... then she added - TO WEAR IN THE BATH !

Now I put that in caps because, well, I laughed until I cried when I heard that....! I had never (before a quick search-engine) seen mermaid tails you could actually swim with - outside of hollywood movies anyway !

I have to say I have been amazed since I started looking ;) and now I am even more excited to be starting on the project for her :cool:

I looked for a monofin for fit her (she is 6 years old, going on 7 but a total dot, bless her) and found a child's one on amazon but even that was too big for her diddy size 10j UK feet so I have bought some very cheap 'Barbie' pink flippers from online and I hope to chop them up a bit, stick them together (duct tape??) and make her a custom monofin.

Now I don't want anyone worrying, she is not going to be using it in public swimming pools or even in the sea, the UK is freeeeeeeezing and she does only want it for in the bath tub, or playing in her bedroom etc. and no-one in the UK has those big glam heated outdoor pools like over in the US, not enough space or the right climate, and her mum is fully aware of supervision and safety in and around the water.

But eeek! I am very excited and just WOW at all your creations!

I have gone from thinking "Oh a lycra one piece tail will be fine" to thinking about sculpting out a fin and sewing sequins and painting scales on the finished tail, and doing a matching seashell top and all sorts!

I hope to post progress here, and tomorrow afternoon the little lady in question is coming over for me to trace the pattern for her tail :D

So, um, hello!

Gem Stone
11-14-2012, 11:16 AM
Hi! And I can't wait to see progress on the tail!

Mermaid Saphira
11-14-2012, 11:58 AM
welcome! :D Good luck making the tail!
I recently made a tail for my 6 year old cousin
the smile on her face was the most rewarding <3

Merrow Fair Isle
11-16-2012, 01:30 AM
How sweet! I'm sure she will love it.

I must sy I'm a bit envious. I got in big trouble around that age for stealing and stepping into one on my mothers satin pillowcases, belting it at the waist and slapping a rubber band around both ankles to make the bottom look flipper-y before flopping into my bath. My mother came just in time too..my toes wereturning purple from lack of blood flow *laughs*

Koral
11-16-2012, 02:09 AM
Welcome. It's fantastic to see how enthusiastic you are. :) It sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun making that little girl's tail become a reality!

MamaMermaid
11-19-2012, 09:55 AM
Thanks for the welcome!

I now have the pattern traced for her tail, and have ordered some four-way stretch purple metallic lycra (her choosing!)

Will get some photos up as I progress :D

AniaR
11-19-2012, 10:56 AM
welcome to the forum! Your daughter is so lucky to have a mum like you!

MamaMermaid
11-20-2012, 08:29 AM
Thanks! It's not for my daughter though, but I think they will both be asking for one after I have finished!!

Today I have cut the pattern, and pinned it to some t-shirt jersey material for testing the fit, and very roughly taped the flippers together using parcel tape, again all just testing for the final tail :)

MamaMermaid
11-20-2012, 11:29 AM
..... and here is the prototype!

MamaMermaid
11-20-2012, 11:31 AM
Modelled by a very reluctant 6yo son of mine ;)

I have shown her mum the photo, and she is pleased!! I feel confident cutting into the metallic purple that arrived this morning :D

Merrow Fair Isle
11-20-2012, 12:21 PM
Great job!!! Good luck as you continue on . It's gonna be awesome!

Mermaid Wesley
11-26-2012, 09:50 PM
aww so cute cant wait to see more!