The Sewing Place
The Emporia => The Show Must Go On => Topic started by: b15erk on April 14, 2018, 11:30:49 AM
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I've felt very under par since Christmas, so when I saw the pattern in the reduced box, I knew it would cheer me up.
The pattern is Simplicity 4043 0630 Mermaid (https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Sewing-Pattern-No-4043-0630-Simplicity-Mermaid-Costumes-All-Sizes-Uncut/18003375776)
I've ordered the fabric, and just been out to buy 'extras', so it's looking promising.
I just need to finish Theo's Romper, then I can make a start. I haven't made a Mermaid before, so this will be something different - the fabric is lovely, and when it arrives there will be pictures.
I've looked on Pattern Review and there don't seem to be any particular issues, but if you've made it and know something different, please let me know - it may save me some stress!
Copying the pattern today, and may toile it - just because I'm itching to go! :)
Jessie
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Good to see you are getting back on track Jessie - I`m looking forward to seeing how the mermaid turns out!
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Looking forward to seeing this (and to finding out how many other mermaid-makers there are on TSP).
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I did make some mermaid costumes for a nursery class at school. I can't find the pictures at the moment. I basically made a fishtail from shiny fabric, quilted it, and attached it to a waistband.
I also made this for me.
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Can't wait to see you in it Jessie ;) What? it not for you?
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I love Mermaids!!!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NC7Cq_2JY3aFwRawYnxjvdHG74-NHRus_Do4L90x48B9_sOYAQhK7sjEN3nTMkT-tu0asiyMwpkK1fw5ZF9ZhRX84eCLJS0UVTlEM54LZz9FyBCeNuTBB1Ef3WLiR_X_39kiNGckq203miF28JEFIIu0PVZyGwpw3fj0Fw-z6k476-rWrje0Mik77dO00wLXQ7LGHQCx8ryJcYfoHTsP4ETYHY1zOY88TwAO_LWVShjdaAmVg5WVqDZQbASCYwrkVKuXmEmh64fXNPoXYT_ofBkSKCd5PlajpcwZmn3FzMieFX4LWNMkwi4f7G9KNRRBmzrrL-k1bxLdh0qa3yuZ1zmwrh_gyPQqGBZiZtP5MwufSLnHV3a99YWhl2pZvBTfmKv2INL6xJvk5io40kxXDC9KJ7jSzwazQtkkwyrhh7icPe19P8-xCuNNA_NqgjxlpGJJ4ghtCtXiruuRhtMZLa4l4fV3VMdk1U86CwqIl8fYqbEUbDaCm7jjoGQzzNi1o4HVCvnLt6o5uhTz5ImpUerTIKuilHZGwRjTInYZcMcN-pL_uRyCexvnR57lcC9Wqq66flkFN2qD-vxpBoacp2aicnUgYkemwWAk3Tc2hqFiSJuHwpNMDB9ogAUED_5EdZFTHEVrN0ndEtKJITxpLRlHpeQ=w1025-h765-no)
linky (https://photos.app.goo.gl/46RVgGY6HkEAhF2r2)
Imself and I went to an arty farty crafty pop up Christmas shop in town one year and I stumbled upon this.
Now Imself is not much good at taking up hints for gifts, so I stood stock still and stared pointedly at this and when he started moving on to another table of goodies, without changing position I grabbed his arm, hauled him back in front of the table and said in a low ... but controlled .... voice ...
"Don't you think this is lovely? I really love this. I really really love this! Wouldn't it make a gorgeous Christmas present? I really really really love this !!! ... Now I'm just going to go over there (I said pointing to the opposite end of the room) for five minutes Ok Darling ?" ... fixing him with the look and a sweet smile not normally seen in the environs of my visage and guaranteed to scare young children and left him to it!
I thought I had got the message across as he had the kinda of Rabbit in the Headlights look combined with a What the hell have I done wrong now expression on his face.
Christmas Day came and look what a lovely, thoughtful and totally unexpected gift arrived !!!! I really love it!
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Lovely Jessie! Can’t wait to see it made.
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I've searched but can only find this very blurry picture of the tails I made.
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I wish I had known about this pattern a year ago. My grand-daughter was potty about mermaids then but unfortunately, she has now moved on!
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To Unicorns ???
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This is a lovely project Jessie. I shall enjoy watching your progress.
I love mermaids too....I think my daughter still wants to be one when she leaves school. :S 0_0
Sandra.
xxx
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To Unicorns ???
Or in our case (2 year old) Nuninorns.
Love your pattern Jessie, enjoy yourself making this. I'm waiting for the day when -'Bobo can you just make ------'
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@Iminei - I'm not sure what it is she has moved onto - what ever it is, it's inside a mobile phone and it holds her attention nearly all the time.
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Progress on the Mermaid so far.
It's not been an easy make, and I've found the pattern instructons 'challenging', but, this must be finished for Saturday as we'll be passing it over as part of Lilya's birthday present.
The top is nearly done, and I'm very pleased with it, it fits Lil beautifully. I did though replace the side zip with Prym Snap fasteners, and they seem to be a lot sturdier than the Kam Snaps. I didn't use an overlay, because the fabric was pretty enough without it.
On to the fin. This took quite a lot of working out, and I ended up sewing quite a bit by hand, so not finished yet. I do have a better idea of where I'm going with it though.
The body/tail. Well, this is today's challenge. Boning is required, and again, I'm using snap fasteners instead of a zip. The construction will be interesting.....
Throughout this, the pattern instructions haven't really been clear - or I've been particularly dim, and I've got bogged down. I'm muddling through though, and hopefully I will have a nearly finished body/tail and fin by the end of the day.
The bag I'm leaving until last. A lot of the construction has been done, but there is quite a way to go. I made it smaller, as it was huge for a little girl, and I've used a thin foam to stabilise. The assembly though looks quite complicated, so leaving it to the last. It isn't necessary to the costume, but it would be nice if I managed to finish it. If anyone has ever made this, I would welcome construction hints!
Oh, and the pattern tracing that I got so het up about - I decided I didn't like their design anyway, and drew a freehand one! So, I need to sew sequins/trim on now. ;)
Jessie
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Wait it's for Lilya? I thought it was for you!
Looking forward to see the finished costume.
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(https://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4040.0;attach=8095;image)
Poor thing , has she had chemo ???
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Stalled for a while this morning - I'm not getting on at all well with these instructions. This time it's the boning. There is no mention of casing, but I did wonder if I should have got the type of boning which comes in a casing. I looked at the envelope, and it just says one pack of featherweight boning.
Well, I have no idea what that is, but I think my boning may be a bit 'lively' it's springing about all over the place!
I've decided to just get on with the rest of it, and deal with the boning issue later.
I re-read some reviews on Pattern Review, and I feel a bit stupid that I can't get on with this pattern. :(
Jessie
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(https://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4040.0;attach=8095;image)
Poor thing , has she had chemo ???
:D she does have hair now, but I seem to have lost her in the room move. Her sisters laugh at her because she is footless. Nasty girls.
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Well, the Mermaid is finished. I really made a meal of it didn't I?
I think a lot of it was because the instructions weren't very good, but most of it was me I think. Anyway it's done, and pics attached below.
Lilya will have it on Saturday, so hopefully, better pics then.
Jessie
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Ooooo that's fabulous Jessie, Lilya will love it.
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What a genius choice of fabric. It didn't say 'fish scales' to me until I saw the tail. Lilya will love it.
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Jessie that's gorgeous! I want one!
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Beautiful. Particularly love the bag.
Is the tail fully enclosed, or does it have secret leg holes?
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Thanks girls, you are very kind.
Fajita, the tail goes on like a skirt and there is a slit along the curved edge where the legs go through. The pattern calls for zips on both the top and the tail, but I've used poppers, which I think are more practical.
I will try to take a pic of the tail 'in action' tomorrow.
Jessie
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How lovely! I like the sequin and bead details you've done on it. They really give it an 'under the sea' look. She'll love it!!
Suzie :vintage:
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0_0 That is just fantastic. She is such a lucky girl. :flower: :flower: :flower:
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Oh Jessie that is lovely, Lilya is really a very lucky girl and I do hope she enjoys being a Mermaid.
So what is next in the pipeline?
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Aww @b15erk that is lovely! I love the fabric choice, very apt! And the jewels are a perfect touch. Well done you, Lilya will be thrilled with that I'm sure :loveit:
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Here is the 'Lil'Mermaid herself, reclining (as every good Mermaid should) in Nana's Snug, decked out in her jewels. She loved her Mermaid outfit, but I think the bag, and the
cheap ruinously expensive Poundland jewels were her favourites.
It was a complete pig from beginning to end, but that may have had more to do with me, than with the pattern. Painkillers and sewing are a doubtful combination!
I would make it again, but not for a while! I did modify the pattern, snaps instead of zips, and I combined the waistband with the main body, for less bulk. For the tail sequins I used my own design, and omitted them on the halter top, as I didn't think they were necessary - the fabric already has a silver sparkle.
I wonder what's next? ;)
Jessie
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Oh, isn't that lovely! <3
If my daughter was younger I'd be making one for her. Her favourite film was ( is?) The Little Mermaid....and the bag's fabulous. I'm not surprised she loves it so much.
Sandra.
xxx
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A very pensive looking mermaid - probably wondering where Nanna managed to find such an ideal fabric for her outfit (or more likely trying to ignore having her photo taken).
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SiT, she was actually watching The Wind in the Willows on TV! She gets quite involved in the goings-on!
Thank you both so much for your kind words!
Jessie