The Mermaid Costume

Front view of finished mermaid doll costume.

       This little mermaid costume for a doll may be perfect for dollplay during any doll party or masquerade ball... Your doll would look just as nice wearing it at Mardi Gras as she would during Halloween!

       We braided our doll's hair and put it up in regal looking bun (crown) using dozens of doll sized bobby pins to hold it in place.

       Our girls think she looks like the Queen of The Sea in this costume!

Supply List:

• flesh colored felt and ribbon to match the skin tone of your doll
• ivory or white felt + embroidery floss for the shell bikini top
• colorful tie die felt for fins
• recycled infant mermaid tail from Dollar store or Dollar General
• snaps
• seed beads
• embroidery floss
• matching threads
  

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. I purchased a Dollar Store mermaid tail for the doll's costume. The fabric has bright, shiny, rainbow colored fins and it perfect for a simple recycled design. I did need to cut it down to fit our doll's body before sewing two simple seams down each side. 
2. I also cut the original fin at the bottom down to size before reattaching it to the bottom of the mermaid fish tail (skirt).
3. Then I cut fins from rainbow felt, tie die and sewed these directly to both the waist and lower tail fins for added texture and interest.
4. Draw a simple pattern for the doll's top. Then trace around it on top of flesh colored felt so that your doll will only look as though her skin is showing. Chilly autumn nights are not appropriate for skimpy "mermaid" attire and your real doll will understand the discretion...
5. Attach the felt top to the front of the costume's tail only, leaving the back open and exposed.
6. Sew flesh colored ribbon or softer fabric ribbons at the shoulders so that these may be tied just behind the doll's neck. (see photos)
   
7. I appliqued simple cut-outs of scallop shells from the white felt to represent our mermaid bikini top. I also attached seed beads and embroidered stitches to decorate these shells a little.
8. I also attached snaps on either side of the tail to the backside of the green felt skirt to ensure a secure, snug fit once the skirt is pulled up onto the torso of our doll.
   

Left, fins close up. Right, there was not enough fish tail material for the back
so this is made of green felt. Snaps secure both sides of the fish tail in order
to ensure that it fits our doll securely.

More Mermaid Costumes for Kids:

• No sew mermaid tail from Charlotte's House
• DIY Little Girl Mermaid Costume  by Broughington
  
• Color this seahorse race...