I am so impressed with this tutorial that I had to share. I take no credit for any info or pictures. They came from: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-A-Mermaid-Tail-for-Swimming/ and are by msaraann in for-kids.
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| Girl With Floatie |
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| Girl's Mermaid Tail Pieces |
Make a swimmable mermaid tail in three easy steps. You'll need pattern paper, swim fabric and elastic, and a monofin.
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| Little Girl Being Traced Mermaid Tail Pattern |
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| Plastic Mermaid Tail Fin |
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| Mermaid Paper Tail 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.
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| Mermaid Tail Fabric |
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.