Learn how to make an easy DIY mermaid inspired dress that is perfect for a comfortable and playful dress up or a simple Halloween costume.
The best thing about this dress is that it’s only two seams, and the added elastized waist is optional. You can use any solid t-shirt you have especially one that needs a stain chopped off the bottom.
Put the t-shirt on your child to find their waist. Take the t-shirt off and cut across the mark to shorten it.
Fold the scale fabric in half matching selvedge to selvedge. Fold it in half at an angle matching the fold to the cut edge.
Cut out the skirt. Open up the skirt. Since we are doing a half circle skirt the print of the scales will be correct, but it changes direction as it goes to the back of the skirt.
With right sides together match up the straight edges of the skirt and pin in place. Sew the seam with a zigzag stitch at 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Divide the cut edge of the t-shirt into four equal sections.
Match up each section and pin the skirt to the t-shirt with right sides together. Make sure that the direction of the scales is matched correctly on the front of the t-shirt.
Sew the waist seam with a 1/4 inch seam allowance and a zigzag stitch.
Cut a piece of 1/4 inch elastic to snugly fit your child’s waist. Overlap the ends of the elastic 1/2 inch and zigzag in place. This will form a big tube.
Divide the elastic into four sections. Divide the waist seam allowance into four sections. Match up the four sections and pin the elastic to the waist seam allowance.