Thread: Mermaid Skirt with Zipper?

Question:

When decorating directly on a mermaid skirt, it takes away a lot of the elasticity, right? Especially if doing trim along the upper edge. So, naturally you would either need a zipper or do the pattern differently, right? How different, exactly? Like suppose the material is really stretchy and my upper hips are 39". With the trim included, would I need to make the upper edges of the panels to equal 39"? I hope i'm making sense, I just don't want to make a skirt that is small enough to stretch and fit nicely without the decor, only to be a lot smaller with all the sequins and "stuff"

Please help! I have a great idea that I would just like some advice on before I start to work (after I finish my other projects, of course!)

Thank you everyone!

I've only made one stretchy mermaid skirt, and I made it the same size as my hips. I then tried the skirt on, guessed how much to tighten it, and then redid the seams. I think it took me a few tries of trying it on and taking in the seams before I got it to fit really well.

You could do a zipper, but just remember to put a hook on the top so it doesn't come undone.

I have mermaid skirts with beading that will stretch plenty. The trick is apply the beadwork with the skirt stretched. I suppose professionals probably stretch the costume over some kind of frame. I've been known to bead with a skirt around my thighs, which I'm holding apart to keep it stretched out while I'm beading in my lap!..g.:
Rosette

ohhh what a good idea! and thanks for the reminder on the zipper part and the hook, i would have had a disaster. i'm probably going to have to go with rosette's advice and just use my thigh power to stretch while i decorate! haha. not sure why i didn't think of that myself. yay! ok, problem solved!

When I want to do a lot of waist embelishing, I put in a zipper.

Oh wow, good pointers! I'm working on making my first costume from scratch and it'll be a mermaid-ish skirt (lycra on top, chiffon on bottom). What a disaster it would be to bead that bad boy up, only to be unable to get into it!