A tail to impress

[Merman Delphis]

So, I do children's parties and I am wanting to join them as a merman. I a. A proficient swimmer, but have never made a tail before not do I have a sewing machine. I plan on hand stitching the fabric tail myself. I know how to hand sew, which is good. What stitch is one you guys reccomend? What monofin is cheapest for adult men? I know that there are TONS of tutorials on how to make them, I just wanted y'all's input.


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[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

You will need to use a stretch or cross stitch of some kind, especially if you are using spandex. Something like the Zig Zag shown here. http://www.shushanna.com/handsew.html

Monofin choice will probably depend on your shoe size. I believe the cheapest fin in adult sizes is the Finis Aquarius (http://www.finisinc.com/Aquarius-Fin). Other reasonable fins in adult sizes are the Finis Foil (http://www.finisinc.com/Foil-Monofin) and Rapid (http://www.finisinc.com/Rapid-Monofin) and the Hydra (http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/so-dive-hydra-aqua-blue/31961/p) monofin. I am a personal fan of the Hydra.

[Fun123joker]

really i say any stich could do fine. just do them short and alot. i find it best if you sew it atleast twice. like 2 rows atleast just incase

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

It does need to be a zig zag of some kind so that the stitch will stretch with the fabric. A normal straight stitch will snap when the fabric stretches beyond the thread's capacity.

[Raayvhen]

I think for a fabric tail the hydra would look great or a cut mahina.

[Miyu]

Hello! I also recommend the Hydra (or the next size up) as a beginner monofin, especially for a man-sized person, because it does have great propulsion, and it's see-through, which allows for some interesting fluke options :)

I hand-sewed my first tail from spandex, you can view the thread there (including some nice detail shots of my process): http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?6933-Miyu-s-POTC-inspired-fabric-tail

I used a zig-zag stitch and knotted it every inch or less, so that if a stitch broke it wouldn't all fall apart during an event.

Can't wait to see what you make! We always need more mermen around here :)

[Merman Delphis]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/17/1546cd2d2b5a8e171a2aa821d07817fe.jpg

So this is what my tail is going to look like.... It was designed by the AMAZING Mermaid Lotus!! I'm so excited!!!! I'm seriously thinking about getting a latex or silicone tail for this one. I'm excited!!!

[Merman Delphis]

NOTE: this does not include the dorsal fin.

[Miyu]

UGH IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL I JUST WANNA HUG IT

DAT FLUKE :swoon:

Are you thinking of having scales? Because it looks good in this version as well, which looks scale-less :) I like the hip-fins!

[Merman Delphis]

I want scales if possible.... I REALLY LIKE THE FLUKE AND HIP FINS!!! I'm currently fanboying over them, by the way...

[Merman Delphis]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/17/e1a6470cce4ea69eb8cade563e04d37b.jpg

This is the dorsal fin:)

[Miyu]

Oooh neat dorsal as well :D I'm really digging that colour palette, it's definitely not a common one! What kind of scales are you thinking?

[Merman Delphis]

Definatly pointed so that it's more masciline.

[Miyu]

nice :D I'm a fan of the pointed/dragon-like scales myself

[Merman Delphis]

Awesome!

[Mermaid Nerida]

OMG! Dat tail tho!!! I love it!

[Merman Delphis]

Lol! Thanks Mermaid Nerdia!

[Nyx]

Oh MAN what a tail. Absolutely badass Delphis!

[Merman Delphis]

Thanks! I didn't draw it though... Mermaid Lotus did:)

[Mermaidmechanic]

Thats probably one of the most masculine tail designs ive seen yet. Super awesome, this HAS to be made into a reality! I would love to see it in action!

[MermanOliver]

Wow! Absolute cool design! Can't wait to see it being build! :)
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[PearlieMae]

I saw it over on another thread...this is so cool! Lotus designs some nice stuff!

[Shimmer Mermaid]

I cannot stress how much Liquid stitch helped me!! I can't sew very well, so I used my step mothers sewing machine, and the first time I swam, I ripped the stitching in a few spots. Repaired them with liquid stitch, and it's stronger than sewing.

[Merman Delphis]

I cannot stress how much Liquid stitch helped me!! I can't sew very well, so I used my step mothers sewing machine, and the first time I swam, I ripped the stitching in a few spots. Repaired them with liquid stitch, and it's stronger than sewing.
Thanks for the info Shimmer Mermaid! I appreciate it! I'll defiantly give that a try!

[Trident True]

Well, let me just say........ that design is Gorgeous, i would be so Proud to wear a tail of this design. Lotus has done a magnificent Job. the colours say.... striking but deadly. in regards to sewing. do you have a friend that has a sewing machine that you could borrow?

[Merman Delphis]

Well, let me just say........ that design is Gorgeous, i would be so Proud to wear a tail of this design. Lotus has done a magnificent Job. the colours say.... striking but deadly. in regards to sewing. do you have a friend that has a sewing machine that you could borrow?

No, not at the moment.... I'm going to try that liquid stitch at another mer suggested....

[Merman Jamie]

Awesome tail you are doing there.

[Merman Delphis]

Awesome tail you are doing there.

Thanks man!

[Mermaid Nerida]

Lol! Thanks Mermaid Nerdia!
Your welcome! I watched your merman makeup tutorial and you are sooo funny! Its like you're my twin or something! (My mom walked by and was like, "who's he? Cuz he's just like you!") I took it as a compliment!

Sent from my shell phone under the sea!

[JamesGunnels]

I do really love this tail! I cannot wait to see this in the making :D

[Merman Delphis]

I do really love this tail! I cannot wait to see this in the making :D
Thanks James!

[Atlantisblue]

Ya I would say the Minos...although trying to find a supplier who sells them can be tricky. As for stitching, you'll want something that will stretch with the fabric. I'm not too familiar with sewing though so I'm not sure on that one. Cool design btw :)

[Mermaid Fenicia]

http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/fins-monofins/1081/s# ;)

[JamesGunnels]

I just received my Minos Monofin today!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! I like that it doesn't have ridges or anything on it, which would make putting it into a fluke a lot easier. It comes in it's own kind of bag, too, that you can wear on your back. I ordered it, I think, from that same website. The monofin itself, for me, was $57.00 which isn't horrible because I mean...I have big feet...size 12/13. Shipping was a little steep...$47.00 but totally worth it. I love this monofin and cannot wait to use it next week!

[JamesGunnels]

Ya I would say the Minos...although trying to find a supplier who sells them can be tricky. As for stitching, you'll want something that will stretch with the fabric. I'm not too familiar with sewing though so I'm not sure on that one. Cool design btw :)

It honestly just depends on what kind of material you would use. I would recommend neoprene, but it is a tad bit pricy. It does hold up a lot stronger than say some kind of nylon or other kind of thin, stretchy fabrics.

[Mermaid Galene]

I love this tail, Delphis! Organic, yet mythological. I look forward to seeing it come to life.

I have a Hydra monofin, and I just love it. It's smooth, translucent, much stronger than my Finis Rapid. And the Hydra has wicked propulsion!

[Miyu]

Liquid stitch could be nice for repairs and such, but I really think you need to use a stretchy sewing stitch for the majority of it - the seams need to be able to stretch with the fabric, and if you're using spandex it's most likely going to be 4-way stretch. If the seams are too stiff, then it could damage the tail, or pull funny at the seams when you try swimming in it.

Seriously, the stretch stitch I did by hand on my tail has held up great, and I've not exactly been very gentle with my tail thus far :p I haven't popped a stitch yet, but I did also knot it every so often to keep any possible damage from making my tail fall apart when in use, LOL. The hand-sewn stretch stitch is also WAY easier than I had anticipated.

[Mermaid Enora]

Neoprene in sheets can be expensive
I bought two old wetsuits at a dive shop in Plano for $15 total and then took them apart to make a patchwork for my tail it worked great and was really cheap!