Pattern making, help!

[MermaidIndie]

So I have tried time and time again to make patterns and they come out too big, I've searched google and Mernetwork endlessly and have watched all the suggested videos such as mermaid Sasha's. No matter what I try they come out too big. Like by four or five inches. My cousin who lives in Florida has been begging me to make her a tail, i agreed and she sent me all of her measurements. I don't want to mess the sizing up again, what should I do? Can someone explain step by step how they do it?


The crash of waves and salty air are the signs of freedom

[Aziara]

As fabric tails are usually made with two pieces, (a front and back), split each horizontal measurement in half. I find it helpful to draw out the pattern on a large piece of paper (such as several paper bags taped together). As the fabric has a stretch, don't add any ease into your pattern.

[Miyu]

I keep having to take a few inches off on mine, even when the pattern is made by tracing around me! It all depends on the stretch of the fabric - if it has a lot, you'll have to take it in by quite a few inches to make it fit nicely without sagging and bagging. My first tail - made mostly of a rather stretchy swimwear fabric - I couldn't believe how much I had to take it in, I thought for sure I was cutting too much off! The other tail I'm working on is stretch velvet, which is not as stretchy as the swimwear fabric (it also only stretches one way, as opposed to the swimwear fabric, which stretches two ways) doesn't need to be taken in as much to make it look nice. I suspect the non-stretch tail I'll be making may actually require me to add some ease to the pattern.

[MermaidIndie]

I figured it out! thank Neptune!!

[MermaidIndie]

Okay never mind I still haven't figured it out. This is driving me crazy!! I'm super stuck. I want to start making tails more often locally but some people would just have to send measurements and the last tail I made from just measurements came out five inches too big. Help!!


The crash of waves and salty air are the signs of freedom

[Mermaid Wesley]

it depends on the stretch of the fabric, really. i always sew it a little tighter than the measurements to account for that

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

Get the spandex wet and stretch it out first?
I made my tail and it fit fine until I hit the water. Now its inches to big and comes up to my bra line. Im taking it in again now but it definitely doesnt have as much stretch as it did before.