How to Make a Mermaid Tail for Swimming

Make a swimmable mermaid tail in three easy steps. You'll need pattern paper, swim fabric and elastic, and a monofin.

Step 1: Trace the Pattern

Trace around the lower body from belly button level to toe tips. Use any paper large enough such as pattern paper, postal paper, or a cut-open paper bag.

Line up the monofin with the toe area and trace to complete the pattern.

Add 1 inch allowance around the trace line for a child or 2+ inches for an adult.

Step 2: Cut Out the Swim Tail

Fold the fabric front sides together. Pin the pattern to the fabric. Cut out the pattern, adding room (about 2 inches) at the top for the elastic casing.

Step 3: Sew the Swim Tail

Pin the two sides of fabric front sides together and sew around the sides and bottom edges.

Fold down the top and sew a casing for the elastic. Measure the elastic to fit snugly around the waist, insert into the casing, and finish.

Insert the monofin into the swim tail. It's ready for swimming.

Step 4: Safety Tips for Mermaid Style Swimming

Use only with adult supervision. Always attend young or inexperienced swimmers.

Use core muscles to swim like a dolphin. Practice sweeping the tail forward to place the feet on the pool bottom to regain a standing position at any time.

The tail should slide on and off easily. Make the elastic tight enough to stay on, but loose enough to easily slide down to free the legs and feet.

Step 5: Video

Here you'll see my youngest daughter using her mermaid tail with a floating ring. She's older now and more experienced with her tail. However, with responsible supervision, even very young children can have fun being a mermaid.

Comments

[TeannaB]

Safety first! Know how to swim. Then practice swimming with the monofin by itself first, then with the tailskin. Be able to turn over and float on your back and breathe. Remember you have arms to steer and right yourself if you have trouble in your tail.

Leaving the bottom of the tailskin mostly open so water passes through prevents big bubbles of water or air. It also makes it easier to get the monofin into the tail. You push the fin in from the bottom of the tailskin, or, pull the tailskin over the top of the fin...either way you need the bottom of the skin to be open so you can get the skin over the fin.

While some people have used velcro or zippers, they can suffer epic fail in water and sand.

There are many kinds of monofins out there. Do some research, watch some professional mermaids' reviews, and decide which one will work best for you. Many are adjustable and will serve a kid for years as they grow. Invest in a somewhat better one rather than the cheapest... it will last for years.

[jeon97508]

CAN YOU DO ME A TAIL

[Teasp00n]

Is their any way that you could add side fins to the mermaid tail?

[TaniaH14]

Hi There.

just wondering if you had any difficulty getting the mono fin into the tail, or tip

[JillMN]

Just wondering if you tried different materials other than the swimsuit material. The stretchy dance material looks so pretty & I want to try but I'm not sure how it will hold up in the water. Thanks in advance!

[AuroraK1]

About the sewing part, could it be done with a sewing machine or hand sewn? And how exactly do you sew in the elastic?

[msaraann]

Yes. Can be done with sewing machine. Fold down top of waist to make case for elastic. Sew around all but leave a small opening. Feed the elastic into the case thru the opening. Sew together ends of elastic ans sew opening closed.

[JaimeW12]

i bought my daughters fin at chapters

[4Password]

We're did you get the fine

[JaimeW12]

i bought my dsughters fin at chapters

[JaimeW12]

i bought my dsughters fin at chapters

[ajfonz]

I love this idea so I tried to make a tail for my daughter. I sewed the tail on both sides and the bottom like insturcted but when I tried to insert the monofin I could not get it in without tearing the fabric. Is there a trick to it? The fabric I used was stretchy swim suit fabric.

[bryannae21]

dont sew the bottom all the way shut. only about 2 or 3 inches on each side

[msaraann]

I was able to fold the fin to slide it thru the waist opening.

[zaragie17]

wow amazing :)

[fluffernutter 3605000]

Can you make it with flippers?

[msaraann]

Yes. Lay them out in place of the monofin.

[fluffernutter 3605000]

Ok, thanks!

[Mysterious_Gal]

OMG this is so cool I love sewing so I have to make one of these. (BEST IDEA EVER)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kletourneaux]

by the way my name is catrina what is yours :-)