This Mermaid sewing project is super easy and simple to make with kids. If you're looking for a first sewing project which is pretty basic then you need look no further!
This is a great little activity and a fantastic boredom buster for the kids.
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Magical Mermaid: Sew a whimsical mermaid doll with bright colors and sparkles.
- Handmade Treasure: Perfect project for kids to create a personalized mermaid keepsake.
- Sew & Play: Make a cute mermaid that’s ready for imaginative adventures.
🖌️ How to Make Your Mermaid Sewing Craft
- Step 1: Print and cut out patterns from the template. The template includes – 2 parts for body, 2 parts for tail, 2 hand patterns, and top and flower pattern. Trace the patterns on the selected felt fabrics and cut them out nicely.
- Step 2: Take any one of the tail patterns and select the confetti you want to add to the tail. You can either glue the confetti on the tail or stitch them, the ones I used had small hole in the centre.
- Step 3: Take the front body pattern and prepare needle with black or dark shaded thread. Use a black thin gel pen to draw the face details (eyes, nose and lips) on the front body pattern. Stitch the eyes and the nose with the black or dark shaded thread.
- Step 4: Use a red or pink thread to stitch the lip. You can also use a pink highlighter pen to make pink blush patterns on both cheeks of the mermaid doll.
- Step 5: Now take the back body pattern and place it on a flat surface. Place the two hands cut outs on their places by slightly overlapping them with the back body pattern.
- Step 6: Place the front body pattern on the top of the back pattern, making sure both patterns match nice and evenly on all sides.
- Step 7: Stitch the body patterns along with the hands, together; but keep the bottom end open. Stitch the two fabric tail patterns together as well; but keep the top end pen for the tail. Once you’re done stitching the upper and lower parts stuff them with leftover felt pieces.
- Step 8: Place the upper body part about a cm inside the tail. Prepare needle and thread to stitch both upper and lower body parts together around their joint part.
- Step 9: Choose yarn for the hair and cut several strands of yarns and also prepare needle and thread. Stitch the yarns on the top and back side of the head part, the yarn strands will be the hair of the mermaid.
- Step 10: Simply align the yarn strands from the top to back side of the head pattern and do running stitch over them with the head to attach them with the head.
- Step 11: Finally, you can either stitch or glue the top and the flower, as you want. If you want to add more details then get creative and craft on!
Enjoy!
💡 Pro Tip: Trace the finished outline on paper before cutting fabric—this lets you spot uneven edges early and match both body sides perfectly.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Head Balance: Keep the head size slightly larger than the tail section to give the doll a youthful, animated look while keeping sewing manageable.
- Tail Curve: Curve the outer edge of the tail slightly inward to soften the shape and make it easier to stitch cleanly along the pointed tip.
- Arm Width: Use narrow felt strips for the arms and avoid overstuffing—thin limbs keep the proportions light and allow better attachment to the torso.
- Hair Control: Stitch hair along both the top seam and side edges so it follows the doll’s head shape instead of falling flat or pulling backward.
- Face Spacing: Place facial features lower on the head for a childlike effect, keeping the eyes evenly spaced and far enough from the seam for easy stitching.
- Seam Planning: Leave the final opening in the tail end rather than the head—this reduces visible seams on the face and makes stuffing smoother.
💭 FAQs
Use a fine needle and matching thread to stitch sequins individually. This method ensures they stay in place and adds durability to the design.
Yes, fabric glue works well for attaching small decorations like beads or gems. Ensure the glue is fully dry before handling to prevent shifting.
Using embroidery floss or strong polyester thread provides better hold for embellishments. It also adds a decorative touch if left visible.
Stabilize the felt by using interfacing or a backing fabric. This helps maintain shape, especially when adding multiple decorative elements.
🖌️ Related Crafts
Download Printable
Download free Mermaid Plush Craft Template here!
Did you make this craft? Leave a review and comment below! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Super Sweet Mermaid Sewing Project
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- Felt fabric – Green Orange, Blue, Pink and other colours
- Thread and needle
- Pencil or marker – to trace the template
- Craft glue or fabric glue
- Confetti – small
- Yarn thread
- Black gel pen
- Template cutouts
Instructions
- Print and cut out patterns from the template.
- The template includes – 2 parts for body, 2 parts for tail, 2 hand patterns, and top and flower pattern.
- Trace the patterns on the selected felt fabrics and cut them out nicely.
- Take any one of the tail patterns and select the confetti you want to add to the tail.
- You can either glue the confetti on the tail or stitch them, the ones I used had small hole in the centre.
- Take the front body pattern and prepare needle with black or another color.
- Use a black thin gel pen to draw the face details (eyes, nose and lips) on the front body pattern.
- Stitch the eyes and the nose with the black or dark shaded thread.
- Use a red or pink thread to stitch the lip.
- You can also use a pink highlighter pen to make pink blush patterns on both cheeks of the mermaid doll.
- Now take the back body pattern and place it on a flat surface.
- Place the two hands cut outs on their places by slightly overlapping them with the back body pattern.
- Place the front body pattern on the top of the back pattern, making sure both patterns match nice and evenly on all sides.
- Stitch the body patterns along with the hands, together; but keep the bottom end open.
- Stitch the two fabric tail patterns together as well; but keep the top end pen for the tail.
- Once you’re done stitching the upper and lower parts stuff them with leftover felt pieces.
- Place the upper body part about a cm inside the tail.
- Prepare needle and thread to stitch both upper and lower body parts together around their joint part.
- Choose yarn for the hair and cut several strands of yarns and also prepare needle and thread.
- Stitch the yarns on the top and back side of the head part, the yarn stiches will be the hair of the mermaid.
- Simply align the yarn strands from the top to back side of the head pattern and do running stitch over them with the head to attach them with the head.
- Finally, you can either stitch or glue the top and the flower, as you want.
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