Today I’ll teach you how to make a super soft and cozy mermaid tail blanket. It’s designed to be used like a sleeping bag and pulled up to the hips. The measurements provided work best for children ages 5-12.
Tips:
1
I recommend using 60-inch fleece or Minky, so batting is unnecessary.
2
When sewing with fleece or Minky, I recommend using a Jersey needle. Size 90 works great.
3
If you happen to own a walking foot, it makes sewing thick or slippery fabrics much easier; however, it’s not required.
4
We’ll be using a zig-zag stitch, which is preferred for stretch fabrics, unless otherwise noted.
5
A piece of washi tape at the 1 inch seam mark on your machine will make it simpler to achieve consistent seams.
How to:
Cutting the Pieces
1
Start by laying out a piece of wrapping paper or taped newspapers that are the same dimensions as your outer tail fabric would be if folded in half (this should be about 24 by 60 inches.)
2
Then fold the paper in half lengthwise so it’s about 12 x 60 inches long. (Drawing our pattern on only one half will allow us to cut it out symmetrically.)
3
I’ve included a printable pattern for the fin (click link above supply list). Print and cut out, taping together as shown. Then trace or tape this piece at the bottom of your wrapping paper, so you know how much fabric you have left to create the tail.
4
Make the bottom of the tail the same width as the top of the fin. Draw a diagonal line from the bottom of the tail to the outer edge of the paper, then curve inward at top. Unfolded, my tail piece is 20 inches across at top and 45 inches long.
5
Fold your outer tail fabric in half, right sides together (for my blanket, this is the green fabric). Pin the tail piece through both layers and cut out, creating two tail pieces. Do not cut a fin out of this material.
6
Remove the pattern, then re-pin the two fabrics, right sides together.
7
Fold the lining fabric right-sides together and pin both the tail and fin pieces to the fabric. You’ll also need to cut 1 band piece along the fold. This piece needs to measure 4 x 39 inches. (I realize it says 4 x 40 in the photo, but I ended up trimming it down later, so 4 x 39 is a more accurate measurement.)
Sewing the Tail
8
Sew the outer tail fabrics together on the long sides, leaving both the top and bottom open. Sew with a 1-inch seam. (Minky is notoriously slippery to sew with, and even experienced sewers may find themselves frustrated when the fabric shifts and the edges don’t align perfectly. However, 1-inch seams are generous enough to account for shifting, so don’t stress if your edges don’t stay perfectly matched as you sew.)
9
Turn the outer tail fabric right side out.
10
Repeat with the lining tail fabric. Do not turn.
11
Slide the lining fabric piece inside the outer tail piece. Pinch the two fabrics at top and shake so the pieces align.
Adding the Band
As this was my first attempt at sewing a mermaid tail blanket, I did the next part a bit backwards, sewing it together before hemming. However, I’m going to tell you the simplest way to do it.
12
Fold under the long edges of the band piece ½ inch and hem with a straight stitch.
13
Then fold the band piece in half, right sides together, so the short ends meet. (Please ignore the fact that my edges are unhemmed in the video clip, yours should be hemmed.) Sew the short ends together with a zig-zag stitch and a 1 inch seam, creating a loop.
14
Fold band in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Sandwich the two tail fabrics in between the folded band fabric and pin all the way around.
15
Topstitch along your previous row of stitches.
Sewing the Fin
16
Sew the fin pieces right sides together, with a 1 inch seam. Leave the top open.
17
Clip and notch your seam allowances, being careful not to cut your stitches. Turn right side out.
18
Slid the tail inside of the fin piece. Turn down the raw edge of fin piece ½ inch and pin.
19
Sew straight across the folded portion of the fin piece, securing all layers.
20
I used chalk to sketch out some lines on the fin. These add a bit of texture and dimension. I’ve found it’s easiest to start sewing at the bottom of the fin and work towards the top. If you’d like, you could also topstitch around the entire edge of the fin piece with a ¼ inch seam.
Made By Marzipan may have received product or payment for this post. Posts may contain affiliate links. Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Finished?
Show it off!
Do you happen to have a pattern for the doll blanket?
yep yep yep just call me up
I love it
I Love the color
this is a good mermaid tail
mermaid mermaid mermaid mermaid mermaid
how to be a mermaid is beater
Did you by any chance have the dimensions of the tail that you made for the doll? I could just eyeball it, but wondered if you’d already figured it out. No need to reinvent the wheel!
Can I use fleece so I don’t have to do a lining? I just started sewing so I need it to be simple 😊
I was wondering if you also had pattern for AG mermaid tail blanket? My daughter would love the matching set for Christmas. I bought fabrics tonight.
Thank you for posting this tutorial! It is the most helpful one I have found to make a mermaid blanket. I will be making two mermaid blankets as Christmas gifts. Happy Holidays!
1. Do you think Is it necessary to line the tail? And what kind of fabric do you recommend, if so. It seems like it would be too heavy for California granddaughter!
It depends on the fabric, I suppose. If you use fleece, you don’t have to line, although the seams might be a little uncomfortable. Minky will shed like crazy, and some Minky is soft on both sides while other types are not.
Curious where you got your fabric? Love what you picked.
I found it on fabric.com :)
Can not find pattern pieces
also cannot find pattern
I do not sew at all. I like this one better than any I’ve seen. Do you/would you make one to sell to me? Please!
Is there a pattern for the doll blanket as well? I love them paired! Or how many inches did you make the body of it? Thanks!
I used the fleece inside & out. Makes for a very warm blanket.
Also used an interfacing in the tail so it isn’t so floppy.
I’m looking to make this for a plus sized, adult friend. Other than checking her measurements and using common sense, do you have any tips for enlarging the pattern to fit an adult?
is it necessary to cut a separate piece of fabric for the band or can i just make the lining longer at the top and fold it over? Im a pretty decent seamstress but i am self taught so i dont know all the rules and sometimes something sounds better in my head instead of what the directions say and doesn’t work out and other times i nail it
You can use that method if you want your band and tail to be the same color.
There are no rules! Use what works for you! That’s the best part about sewing. :)
I really wish thew were step by step pictures with the instructions
There is an entire video, better than step by step pictures!
Love It! Wish there was a PDF for the body too… new sewist and a little overwhelmed!
there is one on here for the body I am new at using a sew machine and wanted to make one so bad. I got my fabric for my little mama and now I got the tail from this lovely lady thank you and thanks to another lady I got the body I wanted to do.
What do you think about using a surger for this since Minky sheds so much?
you can use a serger or do a French seam…
Hi Marzi,
Thanks for the video!! I might attempt to make these for my nieces for Christmas. Happy Holidays!
I wanted to post a picture of my mermaid tail blanket, but the link goes to a page with no links or way to post.
Thanks for the video tutorial! Where did you find the green fabric? Love it!
What are the measurements of the tail in case we cant print the pattern
I loved these so much I have been making them for all the “littles” in our family! By any chance do you have a pattern or measurements for the American girl doll mermaid snuggie? I think I would be their favorite Aunt if you did! Thanks!
Just finished a mermaid tail blanket for my 15 yr old granddaughter. Had to expand the directions but it turned out great. I used sparkly aqua fleece from Joanns and a sparkly cotton print for the fin. I put batting in the fin and quilted it. Turned out cute. Thanks for your directions! Merry Christmas
It sounds adorable!
Shirly hOw much did you expand?
How do I get a pattern
It’s just above the items list.
How do I get the pattern?
Having trouble figuring out the right size for the tail. What should I be printing this at? You tail dimensions seem so big. 45inches long? Any advice?
what is the dimensions for the tail & how to get pattern for it
Can you do this by hand? With only a fleece blanket and some threads. Also would be a good idea to put zipper on one side so it can be a zip up.
Very good video. Thank you for sharing your insight.
This is such a cute design! I let my daughter pick out the colors, and my son came in the room and picked out colors too. So now I’ve got to make two tails! Hopefully they turn out well, since the most difficult thing I’ve ever sewn is a pair of pajama pants. And if they do I’m making them for all my daughter’s friends’ birthdays. We’ve got 3 girls turning 6 next month, and these will be perfect gifts!
Just made two mermaid tail blankies for my granddaughters. Thank you so much for the pattern and easy to follow video. Now I’m going to try and adapt the pattern to make a dinosaur one for my grandson.
It would be really great to have the instructions in a pdf format for downloads – I don’t use videos so would rather have written instructions.
A big thank you for your forum post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
I made one for my grangirl out of fleece and it turned out cute
Made one for her doll but it is to short she likes it anyways
I’m making one of these for my soon to be 14 year old granddaughter! So of course I’m enlarging it all. Had trouble making a realistic fin so your pattern is a godsend! Thank you.
Yay! I love this. Thank you for posting!
Love the pattern. Directions were easy to follow. I used fleece for both layers. Having a problem attaching the top band and fin because of thickness. Did anyone else have this problem?
I use a server for the seam so no need to line
ANONYMOUS, I’ve been sewing for 65 years, what is a server??
Judy – I think Anonymous is using a serger and auto-correct made the word into “server”.
Can’t wait