One Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.com

Hey Guys,

It’s that One Thimble time of year again! If you follow me on social media, you know that two of my favorite things are: 1. Sewing for One Thimble Magazine and 2. MERMAIDS! Can you imagine how stoked I was when the two combined?!?! *insert excited dance here!* When the blogger call and the pattern listing went up, I knew immediately I wanted to make the Melody Mermaid Tail Blanket/Sleeping Bag PDF Pattern by Molly and Mama.

One Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.com

The Melody Mermaid Tail is perfect for snuggling, it measures approximately 21” (53cm) wide at the waist, 23” (58.5cm) wide at the base of the fin and 50” (127cm) long (including the tail). The tail is suitable for ages 3 – 8. and is adaptable for different sizes by simply adjusting the length of the body of the tail and possibly adding more width.

I instantly envisioned using, Michael Miller Fabrics’ Sarah Jane Magic Metallic Mermaid print for the outer shell paired with Michael Miller Fabrics’ Mint Minky for the lining and Michael Miller Fabrics’ Cotton Couture Broadcloth for the tail fin and band.

One Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.comOne Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.com

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Can you tell she’s excited?

One Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.com

Now, I ordered my fabric before we received the actual pattern, and so I had no idea that the ORIGINAL pattern included scalloped pattern piecing to give it that beautiful ombre color pattern. I contemplated for several days if I should forfeit my original idea, but we all know that never bodes well for my sleep! Once its in my head I have to get it out or my brain won’t rest. I still wanted to honor the pattern’s original intentions so once I completed the entire tail I used the scalloped pattern piece to mark scallops all around the tail and then I quilted both layers. I wish I had thought this through because I would have added a thin layer of quilting batting in between the two layers to give it that nice puffy look (like the tail fin) for when the scallops took shape. (NEXT TIME!). I also used golden embroidery thread as my top and bottom thread to sew the scallops to compliment the metallic gold prints on the outer fabric.

One Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.com

The pdf pattern also called for RIC RAC trim to embellish the rim of the tail, but we were traveling in a few days and I had no time to order them, so I decide to create quilted band using the scalloped pattern again.

mtail18One Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.com

I’m absolutely in love with this pattern, and I’ll definitely be making one for myself in the future. Look how cute and comfy it is!

One Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.comOne Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.com

Now to be honest, I got so caught up in finishing the mermaid tail, I thought I “knew” the instructions and some how ended up with a tail where Abbie can extend her feet all the way down into the fins and IT’S REVERSIBLE!! Perfect example of when a mistake can work in your favor! lol

One Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.comOne Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.comOne Thimble Issue 16: The Melody Mermaid Tail PDF Pattern, Sewn by Candice Ayala of CandiceAyala.com

Here’s how I made the tail reversible, sorry I don’t have pictures here, as I really was winging it, so I’ll try my best to explain:

  • I quilted ONLY the two outer tail fins then attached them to the outer tail body giving me the full tail.  I then used the full tail as the pattern piece to cut out two additional tails from the minky fabric to create the lining. (sidetone: you’ll notice that my tail fin looks a little more quilted than others do, and thats just because I used two layers of batting instead of one)
  • I sewed the front and back completed tails for the outer fabric (quilting cotton) and did the same for the inner fabric (minky) – so this gave me what appears to be TWO separate tails. When attached per the pattern instructions you can simply turn it inside out. I went an extra step and topsitched the scallops (using the scallops pattern piece) around the entire tail as far down as I could go NOT including the tail fin. Doing this keeps the minky from shifting on the inside.
  • I purposely placed my turn hole on the minky side because its so fluffy, that when its sewn shut you can even tell there’s stitching there.

And there you have it, pretty sweet pattern right?! Oh, and let’s not forget about all the other under the sea inspired goodness in Issue 16!

Issue 16 contains the following PDF patterns/tutorials:

– High Tide Trousers (size nb-12)
– Triton Tank (size 1-12)
– Scuttle Shorts (size 3-12)
– Hally Dress (size 1-12)
– Miss Olivia Dress (Ladies sizes 6-20AU / 2-16US)
– Pearlie Dress (size 1-12)
– Makana Mermaid Skirt (size ranges 2-4, 5-7 and 8-10)
Melody Mermaid Tail (size range 3-8)
– Mermaid Pocket Doll & Shell (handsewn)
– Murray is a Merman (free motion applique)
– Meg is a Mermaid (free motion applique)

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and the following articles & tutorials:

– Fabricadabra (fabrics & patterns for magical costumes)
– Project Kin
– How to Create a Custom Stamp
– How to make an Aquarian Felt Mask
– How to insert a Glue-in Purse Frame
– Understanding Cork Fabric
– Your guide to HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) & templates!
– Tulle skirt overlay Tulle-torial
– How to keep your cool when you are a small business owner
– Using a profitability worksheet (excel spreadsheet included)
– and much more (see contents pages on the listing / in the sneak peek)

If you’d like a closer look at what’s inside be sure to check out the sneak peek magazine -> HERE

TO WIN A FREE COPY of Issue 16 be sure to click the link below to enter the rafflecopter :
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don’t forget to hop on over and visit the other fantastic bloggers on this blog tour!

 

20 thoughts on “As Featured in One Thimble Issue 16

  1. This is fabulous. I wish I had a little girl to make this for. This is my first time learning about your blog. Thanks for sharing. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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