Dolls' Mermaid Magic Blanket Tails

Pattern Markings

Transfer all pattern markings and labels to the fabric using a disappearing ink pen or tailors chalk.

OPTIONAL Interfacing

If you are using non-fraying fabrics for the Scales, apply interfacing, using the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you are using fraying fabric for your Spines, start at step 1.1. If you are using non-fraying fabric, skip to step 2.

Place two Scales, right sides together. Pin along the outer curved edges.

Stitch using a ½ inch seam allowance.

TIP – When you reach the top point, drop the needle into the fabric, lift the presser foot, turn the fabric and continue stitching down the other side of the scale.

Trim the seam allowance using pinking shears.

This will prevent the fabric from bunching up when turned out as the notches from the pinking allows the fabric to spread out. 

An alternative to using pinking shears is to clip or notch the seam allowance.

Turn the Scale right sides out and press the seams.

TIP – Push out the corner with a blunt object, like a chopstick, so that there is a nice sharp corner.

Topstitch the outer curves using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

Repeat steps 1.1 to 1.5 for all Scales.

Lay Front Panel 1 right side up. Starting a ½ inch from the side of the panel, place a Scale onto the Front Panel, matching the straight raw edge to the top of the panel. Pin. Place the next Scale, overlapping the first Scale by ½ inch. Pin. 

Continue pinning until you have a ½ inch left on the Front Panel.

NOTE – We used seven Scales on Front Panel 1. The number of Scales you would like to add is up to you.

Baste using a ⅛ inch seam allowance.

TIP – Basting is just like normal stitching except the stitches need to be long and loose so that they can be removed later, if needed. Stitch within the seam allowance, so that the basting stitches are not seen in the final garment, while keeping the stitches loose enough to pull out just in case they are visible. The purpose is to hold a piece of fabric in place until that section is properly sewn. Set the machine to a long loose stitch. Test it on a piece of fabric first to make sure that the stitches can easily be removed. Do not backstitch at either end. Leave the ends loose, with approximately 1 inch of thread tails at either end of the stitching.

Repeat steps 2.1 to 2.2 to attach all the Scales onto all the Front Panel’s pieces.

Flip the Scales up on Front Panel 4. Take Front Panel 5 and place it onto Front Panel 4, matching the top and bottom edges, right sides together. Pin.

NOTE – The pointed edges of the Front Panel 5 will stick out slightly on each side. You want the little triangle where the two pieces meet to be ½ inch away from the raw edge. That way, when you sew the two pieces together, they will meet up exactly.

Stitch using a ½ inch seam allowance. 

Repeat step 2.4 to 2.5, attaching the bottom edge of the lower panel to the top edge of the panel above it. You will be attached three of the Front Panel 1 pieces together. You should have a total of 8 Front Panels joined together.

This will now be your Main Front Body piece.

Place two Tails, right sides together. Pin along the curved edges.

Stitch using a ½ inch seam allowance. 

NOTE – Do not sew the short, straight edge as the Tail will be turned right sides out through this opening.

Trim the seam allowance using pinking shears.

This will prevent the fabric from bunching up when turned out as the notches from the pinking allows the fabric to spread out. 

An alternative to using pinking shears is to clip or notch the seam allowance.

Clip into the ‘V’ at the bottom center of the Mermaid Tail. Clip as close to the stitching as possible without cutting into it.

Trim the points on either side of the Mermaid Tail. Clip as close to the stitching as possible without cutting into it.

Turn right sides out and press the seams.

TIP – Push out the corner with a blunt object, like a chopstick, so that there is a nice sharp corner.

Place the two Back Wrap pieces, right sides together. Pin. 

Stitch using a ½ inch seam allowance. 

Press the seam allowance open.

Flip the pieces over, wrong sides together. Press.

Topstitch the seam allowance using a ⅛ inch seam allowance.

Repeat steps 3.6 to 3.8, stitching the outer curve of two mirror Front Wrap. Repeat for the second set of Front Wrap pieces.

Lay the Main Front Body right sides facing up. Place a Front Wrap piece on top, matching the raw edges to the waist and the right side seam. Pin.  

NOTE – The curved edge should be facing down toward the center of the Main Body.

Baste using ⅛ inch seam allowance. 

Repeat steps 3.10 to 3.11 to attach the other Front Wrap piece to the left side of the Main Front Body, overlapping the first Front Wrap piece.

Repeat steps 3.10 to 3.11 to attach the Back Wrap piece to the Main Back Body piece, matching all raw edges.

NOTE – The seam from step 3.7 will be facing down towards the bottom of the Blanket Tail.

With the Main Front Body facing right sides up, fold the bottom row of Scales up to the top of the Blanket. 

Place the Mermaid Tail onto the Front Main Body, right sides facing, matching the straight raw edges. Center the Mermaid Tail and pin.

NOTE – The width of the Main Body piece is ½ inch wider on either side of the Mermaid Tail. You need that seam allowance on the body when you are stitching the body pieces together in step 5.

Stitch using a ½ inch seam allowance. 

Flip the Mermaid Tail over and press.

Place one Waistband onto the Main Front Body, right sides together, matching raw edges. Pin. 

Stitch using a ½ inch seam allowance. 

Press the seam allowance open. 

Flip the Waistband up.

Repeat steps 4.1 to 4.3 for the second Waistband onto the Main Back Body.

SERGER / OVERLOCKER OPTION – Follow steps 5.1 to 5.3. Then serge together using a ½ inch seam allowance. Repeat for Body Lining. Skip to step 5.6. NOTE – Take extra care with the seam allowance to ensure the Main and Lining pieces match up.

Lay the Front Main Body right sides up. Fold the Scales along each edge in towards the middle. Pin.

Fold the Mermaid Tail up towards the top, then fold the edges in toward the center. Pin. 

Place the two Main Body pieces right sides together. Pin around the outside edge of the body. 

NOTE – Do not pin along the waist edge of the Blanket.

Stitch using a ½ inch seam allowance.

Clip the corners and trim the seam allowance using pinking shears.

Turn the Blanket right sides out and remove pins from Scales and Mermaid Tail.

Repeat steps 5.3 to 5.4 with the Body Lining pieces.

Place the Body Lining inside the Main Body, wrong sides together, matching the raw edge of the Lining to the Waistband seam allowance. 

Pin from the outside at the seam.

Fold the raw edge of the Waistband toward the wrong side ½ inch. This will create a memory hem. 

NOTE – A memory hem is where you fold and press your hem, but do not actually stitch it yet. We do this so that fold lines are pressed into the garment. Some fabrics hold a memory hem better than others.  If your fabric doesn’t hold it well, that’s ok. It is still helpful to do this now. 

Fold the Waistband down to the Lining, placing the folded edge just over the stitching from step 5.8. Carefully pin from the right side of the Blanket.

TIP – If you are adding optional elastic to the waist, mark a 1 ½ to 3-inch gap with pins. This is where the elastic will be inserted.

With the right sides facing up, ‘stitch in the ditch’ along the seam between the Blanket and the Waistband. If you are adding the OPTIONAL elastic, leave a 1 ½ to 3-inch gap. If you are not adding the elastic, stitch all the way around the Waistband.

Stitch slowly and hold the Waistband and Blanket flat on both sides of the presser foot to help stitch right into the crease so it is not visible on the finished Blanket. 

TIP – Use a matching thread and aim for a tiny fraction onto the Blanket instead of the Waistband. This usually ends up fairly invisible.

If you are adding OPTIONAL elastic, follow below. If you are not adding OPTIONAL elastic your Magic Blanket Tail is finished!

Thread the elastic through the opening from step 5.9.

TIP – Before threading, match up the ends and mark them with a pen/pencil/marker. Check the elastic is not twisted before marking. When you have threaded the elastic through the casing, check the markings match up, to ensure there are no twists, before the next step.

Overlap the ends of the elastic by ½ inch. Pin.

FIT CHECK – If you have your model available, check the elastic is the correct size before stitching together.

Use a zig zag stitch to sew the ends together.

Slip the elastic inside the casing. 

Topstitch the gap closed, using ⅛ seam allowance.