Penny asked to be a mermaid, so I made her sort of a glamorous Ariel costume with Simplicity 4043. The pattern only included children’s sizes 2, 3, 4 and 8, 10, 14, so I graded the size 8 down to a 7 and it fit perfectly. I love how it turned out! She had to have the same kind of bling as Evelyn did, so I went all out.
My sewing bestie, Beth, had this perfect green scale fabric that she found at a thrift store, and she graciously let me use it. I couldn’t believe how well the tail was constructed on this pattern! Fully lined (with sweatshirt fabric, because this is Colorado!) and with a large leg opening on one side, and boning along the other to give it shape, this tail looks amazing and is so long!
The fin and waistband were made from leftover emerald green crepe from Penny’s Easter dress a few years ago. It was the perfect shade and texture. I used Polyfill for the tail and sewed sweeping lines so it would look like Ariel’s tail, and I love the handle feature. I was impressed with this costume also, in that the waistband has a flat front and elastic back, and a side zip as well.
The halter top is also fully lined. I used the same nude swimsuit fabric as I did for the undershirt for Evelyn, and I’m glad it was lined because the sparkly sequin fabric that I found in my stash for the belly and back would have been scratchy otherwise. I couldn’t believe I had such perfect bling-y fabric for the “skin” part of her top. I had bought it, along with green and purple, to make us girls running skirts for the Turkey Trot 5k, but I love the way it looks as part of Penny’s costume!
I actually made Penny an undershirt as well, but it was warm enough that she didn’t need it today.
I wanted to make sure she felt as sparkly as Evelyn did, so I hand-sewed on some jewels along the neckline and scattered across her belly. She squealed when she saw it.
I also pulled out all my sea-worthy jewelry. The effect, with her long beach waves and sparkling smile, is quite lovely, I think!
