under the sea

One of the gifts I made my daughter for her birthday was this set of mermaids.  

I love making her dolls, but sometimes I dread the thought of making an extra dress.  So, trying to think up ways around that I tossed the whole clothing idea completely and settled on just a small top... 

and a fin of course.

I used this tutorial for sewing on the hair.

This first doll I made is my favorite.  I had absolutely no pattern and was at first a little disappointed with how skinny she was.

And then I met her friends, and I ended up liking the red head the best.

These two definitely have some funky issues.

But she still loves them.

The guy above has a fin made of taffeta.  Taffeta!  I've never used it before but was given a few scraps.

It cuts like butter.

It sews like butter.

And it falls apart like butter.

I don't like sewing with butter.

The day of her birthday I turned on 'The Little Mermaid' and let her watch.  I wanted her to actually know what these funky creatures were when she opened her gift.

I'll have to admit I was a little worried.  Sometimes it's hard to compete with store bought gifts.

But then she opened the bag, and while pulling them out she exclaimed, "preey!"

And then I felt much better.