I grew up as an avid reader and loved legends and lore. Carrying around a yellow steno pad, I was always writing stories about unicorns, dragons, and girls with special powers. These days I spend more time reading magical stories to my kids than writing them but I still have a soft spot for make believe! I had so much fun making a merman doll softie as a part of the ‘For The Love of Legends’ tour put on by the ladies at Phat Quarters fabric shop & Crafting Con.
The tour celebrates all those mythical beasts and beings, with lots of cute clothes and softies. There are over 25 participating bloggers – links to all of their work are at the end of the post!
I had SUCH a hard time narrowing down what I wanted to make. Without any fabric that fit the theme, I decided to sew up a softie instead. I spent some time browsing the patterns that are out there – I was especially tempted by this beautiful Selkie Doll from SweaterDoll. I sketched out a centaur, a griffin, a dragon, and a sphinx but ended up going with a very simple merman.
I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for – floppy arms that were easy to hold on to, a blend of wool and cotton, embroidered details, and able to ‘sit’ as well as lay flat. So I drew the pattern up myself! It was a nice change to just sew, instead of photographing along the way, testing the pattern, formatting the instructions, etc. I haven’t decided if I will offer this as a pattern down the road – but I definitely want to make him some fun accessories.
I experimented with sewing a seam along the middle, for ease of bending/sitting, but it looked wonky. I just left a gap in the stuffing in that spot, and will redistribute with my fingers as needed. I like that the doll can “sit” in a chair instead of just laying flat on his back.
I didn’t initially set out to make a merman, but once I started sketching and thinking about making it look like my daughter vs. my son… I realized they looked about the same! She has just turned one and has pretty much the same hair as he does. They both have long eyelashes and smirky grins! But my son immediately claimed the “fishboy” (apparently we haven’t read enough mermaid/merman stories?) and decided the doll’s gender.
The face and arms are interfaced cotton, with a wool blend felt tail and hair. I embroidered the face and scales, they add a nice tactile element.
I handed him over to my daughter, who instantly started poking at the tail and then at her feet, saying “Dat?”. Basically the cutest thing ever. She might be checking everyone’s feet from now on, seeing if they are hiding a tail!
Off he went, over her shoulder, into her brother’s room. Typical.
I really love how he turned out, especially for a first draft of a pattern. I am thinking he needs some accessories though – maybe a felt crown? A kelp vest? If you have any ideas I’d love to hear them!
Be sure to keep reading and see more mythical handmades!
3/14
The Wholesome Mama•Skirt Fixation•Amazing Adventures Of Bubba and Bug•Bella Sunshine Designs•From-a-Box
3/15
Wild + Wanderful•The Fairy Dust Bin•GYCT Designs•The Kisses Co.•Call Ajaire
3/16
Handmade Boy•Mae & K•create3.5•Pear Berry Lane•Sewing Mama RaeAnna
3/17
The Inspired Wren•Rebel & Malice•Sew Starly•XO Jessica•Falafel and the Bee
3/18
PenSeb&Rox•Knot Sew Normal•Beatnik Kids•Lulu & Celeste•Swoodson Says•Friends Stitched Together
Shelly says
How fun! I love it! Great idea to make a merMAN?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Shelly!!
Karen Wilson says
My granddaughter would love this!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Dolls are something special 🙂 Thanks for reading Karen!
Michelle says
I LOVE this so much! Nicely done.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Michelle!!
Roxanne says
That is a pretty awesome merman doll. A bowtie could be another fun accessory. Mermen go to fancy parties, right?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
What a great idea!! I’m on it 🙂 Thanks Roxanne!
Jeannette Segerson says
What a cute idea! I love it!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Jeannette!
Ama says
This is stunning, I like that you make a mermaid guy!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks so much Ama! I think boys are underrepresented in the doll/softie world 🙂
Courtney Zadik says
Aren’t softies just super fun! I have dabbled in some softie drafting here and there. It’s just so much fun <3 Love the MerMAN!!!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Courtney!! Softies are so fun, no fitting issues 😛
Donna says
I love being able to design and sew and not worry about instructions, perfect pictures or drawings and all the other stuff that goes with pattern design. This is darling Stephanie! I am sure your kids will love it for a long time.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
It is so refreshing, and everything seems twice as fast to make when you aren’t photographing along the way 🙂 Thanks Donna!
Larissa Gibbs says
This is adorable! What a great idea!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Larissa!
vicky myers says
Super cute – I’m sure your children are going to have lots of fun playing with the merman:)
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Vicky!
Allison Dey Malacaria says
Fishboy! That’s such a great description from your son. I can’t wait to see what you add……seaweed cape…..crown of sea stars or coral? And thanks for linking to my Selkie pattern. Happy stitching!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
I LOVE the idea of a sea star crown, thank you! Happy to link, always, hope it brings you some new customers 🙂
Kelly says
This is so so sweet!!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Kelly!
KatieQ says
Great idea! I love that you made a male version. Ariel’s father, King Triton, must have started out as a “merboy.”
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Brilliant, of course he did! I need to rewatch that movie 🙂
Sherry bessonette says
I so need one of these for my 3 yr old grandson!!! He has been wanting a mermaid boy all year I have searched high and low to no avail!!! Plz tell me you sell them and I can have by Christmas!!!!!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Sherry! I am so sorry, but I do not sell them, I just sewed this one and my kids love on it! I did find a few on Etsy, did you check there? Here’s an affiliate link to the search that pulled up a few 🙂 http://tidd.ly/ae0593e7
Thanks for reading! Stephanie
Barbara B Dantoni says
I have lupus and RA plus fibermyalga so I can’t sew my son is deaf and autistic and loves mermen and mermaids is there anyway I could get a Merman doll already done please I didn’t find your site my son did
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Barbara, I’m sorry, I don’t sell what I sew. There are several on Etsy that are ready to buy! Good luck!