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Mermaid Costume Made from Curtains

I needed a costume: I’m thrifty and creative. Hmmm, I always thought a mermaid would be cool to be. This was my first attempt at making/sewing something without a pattern…where and HOW do I start?! I already had some ideas & materials for props and embellishments-pearls & necklaces from a friend’s Gramma, ribbon/pearl sewing items, shells from some long ago trip to Florida that were STILL sitting in a bag in the attic, alligator teeth earings my dad got me from a work road trip.

I went to a thrift store to look around for inspiration. Found a curtain panel with an almost scale-like appearance and screamed fish! Found a batch of curtain shears…hmmm, those could somehow be a fin… Everything was cream colored, not really my idea of “mermaid”. As I’m envisioning my materials and talking aloud to a friend over a beer, he mentions some green & blue spray paint he can give me. My vision is complete! I will be an elegant pearly blue-green maiden of the sea. The project was a whirlwind of ideas constantly flowing…I couldn’t sew/paint/create fast enough. I was so excited! I can’t believe I just kinda threw this thing together in not much time.

The outfit…Skirt – used another skirt as a starting point for the shape (I had to experiment with the shape because I didn’t want it to be too constricting or fall down. I made a flap from the fabric and used velcro for closure around the waist which also made it adjustable . I had the skirt on a hanger over my door and just started pining the shears up around the bottom. That kinda looked fin-like so I continued around the base. I spray painted the layers with the blue, green and silver spray paint. I added pearl and ribbon to add to the under water sea look. I started to paint the scallop design with fabric paint, but decided I liked the cream/white color scheme. I found a pair of shoes to spray paint the matching fin. Since I wasn’t going to bare my top half, I found a nude-like colored tank top. That looked a little plain. I had some scrap curtain sheers so I just started cutting, sewing. What emerged was a tank top/bra looking thing with velcro on the back to close. I tried it on…YEAAA!!! It works! Did some minor adjustments to make it fit then hot glued some shells on. Took ribbon and pearls and pinned them to the top. Since I was worried about being cold, I had leftover “skirt” material so I made these “fin” type things with more pearls & ribbon to go on my arms. I made them looser than my arms and used elastic on the inside so they’d fit and not fall off. I spray painted some more scrap fabric to match my fin and attached it with more ribbon & pearl for hair accessories. Wanted some cool makeup but didn’t really want the messy cream stuff – trying to keep “elegant” in mind..after all, I am a lady of the sea! I went to a local theater costume company and bought some mineral-type eye shadow at  (was reasonably priced). I would have loved to incorporate some big crazy hook…how fun would that be! But I’m running out of time and how do I make THAT!?! Last minute, I got an idea and made a hook for my cheek. I used acrylic caulk with toilet paper to make a wound. Crafted a hook out of some picture hanging wire I had and used this putty stuff to attach to my cheek then added some cream coloring. Put on and fastened my long blonde wig and I was ready to go! Since I always wear a flower in my hair, I had to add a few of those as well. I didn’t win any contests, but received LOTS of compliments! Later in the night, I looked so good that I got attacked by spiders… ;p I had such a fun time creating this costume. I look forward to being the swimming maiden of the sea at the next future party.

Mermaid Costume Made from Curtains

Mermaid Costume Made from Curtains

Mermaid Costume Made from Curtains

Mermaid Costume Made from Curtains



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