Skip to main content

Mercreature Costume: Tentacle Swim Dress

Octopus Dress Idea

This is a side-step from all things mermaid tail related. I wanted to give a chance to all kinds of sea creatures when developing this series of blog posts. So if you're feeling more of a cephalopod or jellyfish vibe for your costume, read on! 

You may want to get a swim dress or swim skirt pattern to help. I really like Simplicity 8139. The concept is to create a panel skirt of sorts but shape the panels into tentacles. 

On a side note, you can also just create a skirt of tentacles that you wear over a swimsuit. That is a slightly easier option and what I ended up doing. 

Tentacle Skirt

For 8 tentacles, you'll cut 16 panels. One for the internal side and one for the outer.  (Note: If you count your legs as a pair of tentacles, you only need 12 panels.) The total number of tentacles is up to you. 


For each panel or tentacle, pin the inner and outer fabric with the right sides together. Sew along the bottom edge for each tentacle. 

Align the sides of the tentacle panel. Sew the outer fabric sides with the right sides together. Then do the same for the inner fabric sides. Everything should close into a ring. 

Turn the tentacles right side out. 

Optionally, you can add some pebbles, sand, water weights, plastic pellets, EVA foam, or dry beans to the ends of the tentacles to weigh them down slightly. 

Close the top of the skirt by sewing the top of the panels. You may choose to encase elastic in a waistband, use an exposed elastic waistband, or you could attach the skirt to the top your swim bottoms or the bottom of your swim top. (Did that make sense?)

That is at least the gist of how to make the skirt. The width of the top of each panel should be adjusted for your waist circumference or close to it. This Instructables tutorial for a Sunflower Skirt has some better tips on measurements. (Math and I are not on speaking terms sadly. LOL.)

Stuffing the Tentacles?

You want 3D looking tentacles to swim in? This does present a bit of a challenge because using quilt batting or regular stuffing is not advisable. That stuff gets weighed down when wet and can be difficult to clean. You could consider using rubber tubing or fishing line with a series of plastic discs. 
This is the idea of connected discs to make a tube.
You may also be able to use corset boning (plastic ones) to make a slight cage. 

The quick and dirty way would be to use pool noodles, but those have a tendency to float. (But you could ride your suit in the water. 

In my estimation, to make a water-proof 3D tail would take some internal structure, not just stuffing. Although...you could probably stuff it with scraps of spandex or nylon fabric from sewing. 🤷 Honestly, that would probably work. So disregard previous statements, you can stuff the legs/tentacles with something. 

Tendrils

For more of a Jellyfish vibe, You'll want to find tulle or organza fabric or ribbon. If not already done so, you'll need to sew along the edges. Some tutorials suggest using fishing line and sewing that in for a lovely curl effect. See this DIY Seaweed Armband tutorial for step by step instructions. 

Suckers

Some ideas for adding suckers to the inside of the skirt are: 

  • Pre-printed on the fabric
  • Fabric paint
  • 3D Puff Paint
  • Hot Glue
  • Silicone 
  • Embroidery
  • Plushie
  • Iron-On Vinyl/Infusible Ink
I am currently in the process of sewing a new pair of swimsuits which will both have skirts. One will be more of the octopus tentacles and the other more of a flame motif. (Still kind of tentacle-ish). 
Various design doodles. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kimono Series: Measure & Cutting the Kimono

This is the primary benefit to making your own kimono, having it tailored to you! In this post, I will go over the following:  Body Measurements you need Names of the Panels and their dimensions Calculating Fabric needs Tailoring points And a few tips and resources With measurements there are major and minor measurements. Focus on the major measurements for calculating fabric amount and the size and shape of the panel pieces. The minor measurements are mostly for construction so you put the pieces together correctly and they fall in the right place for your body. Lets start with the measurements you need to take on the body.  Body Measurements There are only 3 body measurements for kimono, although they will differ slightly between a masculine and feminine kimono. You need:  Yuki  - a measurement taken from the spine at the base of the neck to the shoulder joint, then to the wrist while holding the arm at a 45° angle. (You CAN T-Pose it but it is a little less accura...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hakama Series - Side Opening Covers/Pockets

The side openings on hakama can feel a bit exposing if you're not wearing a full kimono underneath or perhaps you just can't stand to be without pockets! While these things are not necessarily historically accurate for the area, you can make it work.  Modesty Panels These will be panels of fabric that hang from your waist at your sides where the openings of the hakama are. You can choose to attach these to the belts (himo) of your hakama or to make your own waistband.  You can use any kind of cloth but the idea is to use any left over clothe from making your hakama. But if you want different colors or prints go for it.  You will cut a rectangle with rounded corners that is 16" tall and about an inch wider than your side openings (sasahida). To keep it from fraying, either use a serger or overlock machine to finish the edges except at the top. Alternatively, use a zig-zag stitch on your regular sewing machine all around the edges except the top..  Make a waistband fro...
Post a Comment
Read more

Becoming a Kitsune: Tail Design Considerations

The key element of a kitsune character is the tail (or tails in most cases). You'll need to determine what you want the tail to look like so you can determine the best method of attachment. The primary consideration for attachment is weight . The things that affect weight are size and materials. So let's get into it! Tail Shapes These are the common shape profiles I see for making kitsune-style tails whether it's a fur tail or crystal or unnatural.  A: Tube Sock - a uniform girth and rounded end. Close to reality.  B: Pointed Tube - a uniform girth that tapers at the tip.  C: Squirrel Style - wider in the middle rounded tip. Very much like an oval shape.  D: Pointed Barrel/Paintbrush  - the tail gets wider in the middle and tapers at the tip and at the top.  Tail Poses Another aspect of tail shape is how you want it to pose or hold in place.  Limp - a relaxed tail that hangs down loosely. It doesn't hold any pose.  C Curve - the tail is arche...
Post a Comment
Read more