"The Little Mermaid Costume"

Costume Instructions

Costume Materials
all materials for toddler size (2T/3T)
- half yard any one way stretch knit, blue in color fabric (fabric must be elastic, this is very important.)we choose a fabric with a vertical stripe with sequin detail
- 1" thick cushion foam a 18"x6" piece
- 1/4 yd of tool, lavender in color
- 1/3 yd Chiffon variegated in color sea foam green to royal blue
- 1/2 yd Ribbon trim (we choose one that reminded us in color and appearance of seaweed)
- 3 eye hooks
- 2 Scallop shells about the size of the child's hand, similar to one another in shape and color
- store bought Arielle Disney wig

Costume Instructions
Use stretch fabric run side to side across the child's body, wrap around child for size. Cut to leave an extra inch for the seam. Measuring from floor to top cut leaving 3" above child's waist. Reverse fabric, sew back seam into a tube leaving 4" opening at the top. Make sure you sew so that the stretch goes side to side. This is very important so the child can walk in the tail.
Draw the flute (the tail fin shape) onto foam w/ marker. Go straight for 6" and then coming down in a curve to the edge of the foam. Do both sides in same fashion to create rib for the tail flute. (we hand sketched this part, you could use a fish picture for an example) Draw line under first line about an inch apart connecting at the outer point for the top bone of the tail flute. Cut out the tail shape from foam with a sharp scissor.
Lay Chiffon fabric on table (about a 12"x19" rectangle) fold in half. Your piece should now be 19"x6". Lay foam rib on top and lightly mark shape. Cut away extra fabric leaving a 1/4"seam. Take two tail pieces and put right sides together. Sew in from top of flute 6" from either side. This creates a 6" opening in the middle. Pin flute to body of tail and sew (w/ a stretch stitch) all the way around w/ 1/4" seam.
Now, take flute rib you previously cut from foam and insert that into the flute. Open the flute laying the bone inside, sandwiching it between the two sides of the tail flute. Pin and stitch using zipper foot along bottom of rib 6" from either side leaving open in the middle.
Next take a scissor and cut up the center of the flute to within 2" from seam. Cut away points to make fins curved.
Now take your tool fabric approx. one 8"x7" piece and two pieces of Chiffon at the same measurement. Layer these three somewhat gathered into one of the 6" sides of flute. Pin in place and stitch vertical rib lines from top of flute to within an inch of the base of flute. Space them every 1". Again making sure you leave the center 6" open. Repeat for opposite 6" side of flute.
Stitch around center curve of flute. Repeat with the backside of flute. Trim bottom of flute to shape if needed, fabric should extend some to floor to help conceal child's feet.
For the top waist of tail body (where you left the 4" extra fabric) measure using the child's body, cut front center open just below the belly button (no more than 3") Lay out tail on table, fold fabric over to where it has been cut. It should look like a shirt collar. Stitch from front to back, flip over and repeat, staying close to folded edge. Turn right side out making sure points in front are out. Using foam scrap cut one piece for the waist bone. Fit this piece using the child's waist for measurement. (note; this may be made easier by somewhat curving the cut to fit the child's waist) Cut this piece pointed at both ends, then cut in half. Trim the square foam rounded so the edges are softer and more like a tube.
Next take one piece and insert point into the front point you have sewn at collar shape of tail waist. Wrap fabric, pin, stitch with a zipper foot using a stretch stitch. Repeat for other side of waist top.
Attach the trim detail with pins just below waist bone and sew into place.
Now attach a hook and eye to the back.
For bikini top use scrap fabric, measure around child's chest horizontally. Cut a rectangle 4" high. Fold in half right sides together, sewing a 1/4" seam to make a tube. Turn right side out. Cut a piece of chiffon long enough to go around child's neck from front center of bikini top. Tie this piece around center of tube top to make halter top straps. Hot glue shells in place to front of top. Attach hook and eyes (2) to back.
Finally using a bobby pin and scrap netting w/ small shells make hair detail pin for wig.
You are done.
Experiment with different colors or fabrics just remember the body fabric for tail must be one way stretch!