Mermaid Tail Skirt

• 1). Measure from hipbone to hipbone and add about 2 inches to that measurement. This is the diameter for the waist opening in your mermaid skirt. For instance, if your hips measure about 17 inches apart, your final measurement is 19 inches.
  
  
• 2). Measure from one of your hipbones to your ankle and add 2 inches to the measurement. This is the length for your mermaid skirt. For instance, if your leg measures 28 inches from hip to ankle, your final measurement is 30 inches.
  
  
• 3). Spread out some green, iridescent fabric. You may choose a silk fabric, rayon or shiny satin. Cut out two rectangles matching your body measurements. In this case, you'll have two rectangles measuring 19 inches by 30 inches.
  
  
• 4). Lay the pieces of fabric together with the wrong sides facing out. Secure them along the right and left sides with stick pins.
  
  
• 5). Stitch seams about halfway down the sides of the piece with a sewing machine. Remove stick pins as you go. You should end up with a tube skirt with slits at the sides, from knees to ankles.
  
  
• 6). Turn down the top inch of the skirt's waistband and stitch it closed, except for about 1 inch.
  
  
• 7). Measure around your waist and subtract 2 inches. Cut a piece of elastic ribbon matching that measurement. For instance, a 44-inch waist requires a 42-inch piece of elastic ribbon.
  
  
• 8). Slide the elastic ribbon through the opening at the waistband, threading it through the channel at the top of your skirt. Stitch the ends of the elastic together and stitch the waistband closed.
  
  
• 9). Turn the skirt right-side-out. Cut half-inch-wide fringe into the skirt from the bottom of the skirt to the tops of the side slits. When you walk, the fringe will sway and skirl like delicate mermaid fins.
  
  
• 10
  
  Paint the edges of the fringe with fray-stop liquid to prevent mishaps. Let it dry overnight. The raw edges on the fringe will give the fins a wild look.
  
  

Mermaid Top

• 1). Rescue an old bikini top from your closet or from a discount rack at your favorite clothing store. Solid colors like white, black or purple work best. You may also use simple designs like stripes or polka dots.
  
  
• 2). Spread out the bikini top. Lay your embellishments on top. Arrange and rearrange shells, starfish, coin beads, faux pearl strings and plastic rhinestones over the top until you discover the arrangement you like best.
  
  
• 3). Hot glue the embellishments into place. Allow them to dry for about 15 minutes.
  
  
• 4). Enhance your design with glitter glue, if desired. Outline the bikini's original design in glitter or give the plastic rhinestones a faux setting. Let the glitter glue dry overnight.