Mermaid costume for 14" waldorf doll

[sewingmel]

This was drafted based off of my daughter's doll. You should be able to size it up just a little to fit a larger doll.

Materials and notions:
pattern printed and taped together
fabric for tail
coordinating/same fabric for top
thread
washable marker
1/4" elastic
snaps/buttons/velcro

Step 1:
Attach pattern and cut out fabric for tail. You need 2 pieces cut right sides together.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf003.jpg

Step 2:
Sew down sides and along tail using a 1/4" seam allowance (given).
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf004.jpg

Step 3 (optional):
Serge or zig-zag along edges. I designed this with a gentle curve that can be carefully serged. I also serged along the top during this step.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf006.jpg

Step 4:
Turn under 5/8" for the casing.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf008.jpg

Step 5:
Turn the top 1/4" under, but be careful not to flatten your 5/8" line. If you serged, just turn under the serged part. Turn under all fold lines.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf010.jpg

Step 6:
Sew along the edge of the fold to create the casing. Leave about 1" open to insert the elastic.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf012.jpg

Step 7:
Insert elastic. I used about 8" of 1/4" elastic. Please refer to doll's actual measurements for this.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf014.jpg

Step 8:
Sew elastic into a circle, and stitch opening closed.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf015.jpg

[sewingmel]

Now for the top:

Step 1:
Measure your doll's chest and add 1.5". Cut 1 piece of fabric for top.

My doll's chest is 9" so I cut my fabric to be 10.5 by 5"
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf018.jpg

Step 2:
Sew long edges together (right sides together). Turn right side out.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf019.jpg

Step 3:
Tuck in edges (turn in about 1/4") and sew edges shut.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf024.jpg

Step 4:
Mark center line with fabric/washable marker.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf025.jpg

Step 5:
Sew 2 basting/gathering lines (longest stitch length) down drawn line.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf027.jpg

Step 6:
Gather, and machine stitch down gathering lines.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf029.jpg

Step 7:
Attach snaps, buttons, or velcro. I used set metal snaps for the green top, and I used hand sewn snaps for the pink.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf031.jpg

You are finished! Go play!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/mermaidpdf035.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/mermaid%20tut/dolls006.jpg

[tuffykenwell]

Excellent! Thanks for creating this!

Steph

[DUMPDUCK3]

Oh, that's cute!

[shannonmamato4]

That is adorable. My nieces just got American girl dolls for Christmas. I may have to make them each a mermaid costume.

[caitlinsmom]

Oh this is really cute! Thank you-you made it look so easy.

[Island~mom]

That is so cute!!! Thanks ~Mel!!

[meliatx]

Ok, I have not been on in several weeks. That is so cute. I have got to make one. Maybe I can convince Zoe that is what she should be for halloween

[jcburningham]

thank you! so cute

[Sheena]

Ooo, I wish I would have seen this before I bought one on Etsy! Thank you!