Fixing up a fabric tail

[Seraphina Suds]

This has been a long time coming, but I need to work on my Mermaids of Hawaii spandex tail. I had a thread about the initial problems with the tail here (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?8545-Am-I-being-too-picky&highlight=mermaids+hawaii), which has lots of pictures. All that has been changed is the front side of the fluke. My mertender was working on repainting all the fins for me, but life got in the way so we haven't progressed much. My mermaid things are still packed away from a recent move, but you can still see the difference in these pictures:

27493

Before and after. She evened out the lines and smoothed the color gradient.

I want to do something to the body of the tail to give it more realism and depth. The obvious choice is to add scales, either with paint or some kind of silicone. I'm looking for suggestions on how to proceed. I don't want to do anything too quickly and ruin the tail, but I'm desperate to make it better.

I'm going to try to pick up some spandex this week to experiment on. I also am thinking about sewing in an elastic waist because the tail slides down when I swim, even if I tuck it into my leggings/swim bottoms.

I have until mid April to get this done! Wishes of luck and suggestions are much appreciated! ;p

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I have elastic sewn into all of my home made tails. Am currently in the process of sewing elastic into the pre-made tails I have.

Have you looked at stamping sheets? Some of them have fish scale prints and it might be faster than painting each scale individually.

[Mermaid Alea]

I used an ink stamp for my tail's scales. They have them at Hobby Lobby. It definitely saves time, but you just have to be careful to line up the pattern. If you get a stamp keep in mind that you will need a pattern that can repeat well. I messed up a lot on this tail...One of the issues you can see that some of the stamp marks had more paint than others.
27497

[Mermaid Momo]

I commented on your tumblr post too, another option if you don't want to use the puffy paint is to use regular fabric paint and you can use one of those foam paint rollers to make it go faster (you can't use a paint roller with puffy paint since you have to fill each scale.) I would suggest doing the Freezer paper stencil method but I don't think you can iron on the material your tail is made out of can you?

[Seraphina Suds]

Hmm, I'll look into stamp options! Thanks!

I saw, Momo, thanks! Umm I think I can iron on it, just not directly onto it.

[Seraphina Suds]

So I went browsing for fabric. I couldn't find any 4 way stretch spandex unfortunately, but I got some 2 way stretch something-or-other. It's just for testing on. But once you give it a good stretch or two, it doesn't recover well. You can see where it's been stretched and where it hasn't.

27580

Also I found this really pretty shimmery, iridescent, sheer fabric that I fell in love with.

27581

I ended up buying all they had lol. I might try to add it to the top of the tail or to the fins or something. If it's good in the water. It's just so sparkly... @o@

[OceanWhisper]

wow that's cool :D sparkkllyy

[Seraphina Suds]

So coooool~ they had a few other colors too.

I made some test squares and used puffy fabric paint to draw some lines of scales. The top picture is with stretched fabric, the middle and last are not stretched. I tried to vary the pressure and amount of paint used on the different sections of scales.

27582

[Seraphina Suds]

The filled in scales don't move well when the fabric is stretched, but the outlines are good. I'm going to work on a duct tape dummy to wear my tail so I can work on it. I want to add the elastic waist and maybe additional fabric with that pretty stuff I bought. I'll have to pin everything out to see if it works.

[Seraphina Suds]

I'm going to put the scales on hold for now because I think I want to add additional fins with that sparkly fabric. One of my friends helped me get my sewing machine back in order so yaaaay. I sketched up a rough idea.

27681
27682

I'm not sold on the dorsal fin yet, but I like the ankle side fins. I want to remove the pectoral fins and actually sew them INTO the tail instead of just having them sewn onto it. I would add a little frill of the sparkle along those too. I'm adding the elastic waist, but I also wanted to add some fabric to the top to give a little coverage. Something along the lines of the Ariel or Mernation gapwrap look. I also wanted to cut away some of the trailing fluke area and replace it with the new fabric.

Thoughts?

[Seraphina Suds]

I was really excited to start working today, but after fighting with my tail, my mertender, and my sewing machine, I'm at my wits end. I spent all freaking day just trying to get the pectoral fins done. I only finished one and I hate it. It looks like a fucking elf slipper AND it's a mess of stitches.

27801
27802
27803

I shouldn't have even tried to "fix" it. I should have just waited until I could afford a new tail. I'm so disinterested in trying to finish this. My mertender is trying to assure me that it looks fine and she'll see what she can do. But I'm so done. :(

[Mermaid Isabel]

you could try to sew it upside down so you can't see the stitches. then you could add tutu fabric on the fin to cover all the mistakes. don't give up!!!!! p.s. when sewing you should pin the fin down so the whole process would be much easier. :D

[Seraphina Suds]

I tried sewing the right sides together at first, but because of the small sizes and little corners and such, it didn't work out. So I ripped out all those seams and just sewed the spandex right onto the sparkly fabric. I figured I'd be painting over the thread anyway. Then I flipped both pieces right sides together to sew them together. I did pin everything, too. I'm just useless at sewing and my machine isn't the best. D;
Thank you for the encouragement! I'm thinking I might just scrap the old fins all together and just use the new material...

[OceanWhisper]

Just keep swimming!! if you keep trying you'll get to where you want. you can do it! :cheerleader:

[Seraphina Suds]

Thank you! I'm trying again today... we'll see what happens.

[Seraphina Suds]

Experimenting with new shapes

27898

27899

[BriannaPixieDee]

This tail is going to be beautiful!

[Mermaid Isabel]

the new fins came out awesome!!! I love the idea of transparent fins!!!!

[Yulia]

That fabric looks magical!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks, girls! I hope the fabric can hold up to use. It frays easily if any ends are exposed. So fragile lol

[Seraphina Suds]

I've decided to stick with this shape. It's a bit larger than the one in the previous picture. And I think I like adding the stitched lines in the center, even though you can't really see them unless light is shining through.

27900

[mermaids-and-anchors]

That looks so gorgeous!!! Can't wait to see it for real!

[PearlieMae]

Use FrayCheck or clear nail polish on the edges to stop fraying. I use that same fabric inside some of my silicone fins!

I've also found that if you use 2-way stretch fabric, make most of the tail so it stretches around your body, but add a 4" wide strip down the middle of the back with the stretch running lengthwise, that way, you can bend and sit. Once you paint scales over the seams, no one is the wiser!

[Mermaid Momo]

Looks great! If you want the stitched lines to show up a bit more, try stitching channels instead of just one line. (I have a bat wing scarf I made like that if you'd like to see an example). Also, top-stitching will be able to hold the shape better.

[Mermaid Momo]

Also, with that fabric, I'd be worried about the sparkles fading as it makes contact with the water or the fabric tearing since it's so fragile. You could laminate it like here: http://www.sew4home.com/tips-resources/sewing-tips-tricks/oh-baby-fabriccom-how-turn-any-fabric-laminate-iron-vinyl
so that it's water proof.

[PearlieMae]

It's not that fragile. I used yards of it for a fabric tail and just seared the edges with a candle and swam around all summer with it. It's mylar strands with polyester weft.

You can always coat it with silicone caulk, too! Makes a nice, shiny, fishy fin (see the beginning of my personal tail thread)!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks, Lindsay!

Pearlie, I thought it looked familiar! I'm glad it's not as fragile as I thought. I'll try the clear nail polish and see how that holds up. I'd love to try the silicone eventuality too!

Momo, can I see the scarf? :3 I'm not sure what you mean by channels or top-stitching. XD;; my sewing knowledge is very basic. Also that laminate stuff is really cool!

[Seraphina Suds]

Here are the pectoral fins and the side ankle fins. I'll try to get the dorsal done and everything pinned in place tomorrow~

27906

27907

[Mermaid Momo]

This a far shot of the "wings" on the scarf https://41.media.tumblr.com/f0a43f72c8ac90522f2b2ef393635843/tumblr_nknlvbC3ZI1rqeghso3_1280.jpg

See how instead of one line of stitching in the center, I did double parallel lines? Those are the channels I was talking about

Here is a better picture of the channels
https://41.media.tumblr.com/e588f77be42cd10a67067628ab5e614d/tumblr_nknlvbC3ZI1rqeghso1_1280.jpg

And here is top-stitching on the scarf (the very faint line closest to the edge)
https://41.media.tumblr.com/1288341d16e1076d6e9e967a5046975e/tumblr_nknlvbC3ZI1rqeghso2_1280.jpg

Top stitching helps the scarf keep it's shape better basically holding the two pieces of fabric together right where I want them instead of leaving it and letting the seam move around or twist and making the shape look weird.

[Seraphina Suds]

Oooooh, I get it now. I'm not sure if I have the precision for all that though. D: The scarf is super cute btw.

[Seraphina Suds]

Actually, I tired it on one of the old test fins just now:

27923

What do you think? I think I like the top stitching, but I'm not sure about the channels. I'm afraid it looks too messy? Especially where it starts and stops.

[Seraphina Suds]

Also, I pinned everything into place to get a general idea.

27924

27925

I'd like to get the side fins lower, but I can't because there's a zipper down one side of the fluke area.

[Mermaid Wesley]

you could put it just inside the zipper if you want to, but i think it looks lovely!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thank you! I'll see what I can do one I open it up~ I'm about to sew the pectorals in. So nervous...

[Seraphina Suds]

[emoji33] I DID IT

27929

It's a little pucker-y but I'm just happy that they're straight and at the same height!

[OceanWhisper]

This is looking amazing! :D can't wait to see it finished!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks!! I want to finish adding the rest of the fins, but I don't want to rush. I'll probably be done by the end of the week~ Then I have to decide if I'm still doing the scales. I want to make a top with the shimmery fabric too, I think.

[Ashton]

very nice so far!

[Mermaid Momo]

Looking good!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks girls! I just finished all the major sewing and am pretty happy with how it turned out~ Please excuse the messy work area and crappy phone pics!

28000

28001

28002

Now I have to decide how to add to the fluke and put in the elastic waist.

[Mermaid Alea]

:swoon:That fabric is so awesome! I love those fins!

[PearlieMae]

Sweet!

Use 2" wide elastic, it will lie smooth. Nice work!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

You have the same waist band as this young lady. Here she shows how to add in elastic. The waist band starts at 11:13.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvrg0u3Udug

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks, everyone!
Pearlie, I have a 1/2" "curl resistant" elastic on hand but if a wider one will work better, I can pick one up.
I'll check out the video, Jaffa, thanks!

[PearlieMae]

I prefer a wider band, it lays flatter and you don't have to have it so tight that it gives you muffin top.

[Seraphina Suds]

Sounds good!

[Seraphina Suds]

I need opinions on how too add fabric to the fluke ends. I'm going to cut back some of what's already there (and line up the freaking middle), then add some flowy bits. I don't know if I should essentially sew the fluke together, or leave two separate pieces... let me see if I can draw what I mean....

[Seraphina Suds]

Terrible drawing but hopefully gets the point across...

28145

I'm concerned that if I don't leave it open, the water won't drain quick enough and make a lot of drag.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Use my special technique. I call it, Jaffa's Open Closed Fluke.
http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=1001&attachmentid=26909
http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=1001&attachmentid=26908

For a more flowy look, you can sew short fin lines on the edges of the seams where you usually shove in the monofin (I don't know what that part is called but hopefully you know what I mean!). That way the fluke don't flap open, water and air bubbles can escape easily and you still have the fin hole to stuff in your monofin. And your fluke remains soft and flowy underwater.

Here's one that I made this morning to fix up my first Magictail and so I can use my Finis Foil inside. I made it a closed fluke with closed fin tips as I couldn't figure out how to make the fin tips look nice with sewing. Then I tested it before sewing in the fin lines, to see if I could shove in my foil through the waist... It fits!:lol:
Blue lines are the short fin lines. Red lines go all the way to the edge of the monofin to stop it from moving forward too much and losing that flowing look to a wrinkled look...
28147

I must add... It was soooo flowy! I spent 2 hours shaking my fishy booty, flipping my fluke underwater, playing in the sunlight when the roof things opened! Just so I could marvel at how flowing and natural it looked!

[Seraphina Suds]

That's a good technique! But I'm not sure it will work with my tail. The fluke is already made, I'm just adding embellishments. It has draining areas and the bottom was left open and unhemmed.

28152

So what I plan on doing is cutting off most of that flapping material and replacing it with the same material I used for the fins.

28153

Essentially cutting along that red line and making sure the points in the circle line up. So I don't know if I should leave the fluke flaps in two pieces, or sew the bottom together. Water seems to flow though the material, but I don't know if it'll create more drag.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

If you sew along the edges of the purple stripes where the fin doesn't go, it will still be flowy. But then the fin lines will have to be pretty short and I'm not sure that's worth it either.:confused:

Before you cut off the extra fabric, safety pin the fin lines in and take it for a swim. Then you'll see whether it works for you or not.

[Seraphina Suds]

Taking a break from adding the elastic to the waist to rage over the fact that Citrine couldn't be bothered to find a purple zipper for the fluke...

28183

I had a lot of disappointments with this tail when I opened it and this is possibly the biggest because I don't have the skills to fix it. Zippers come in every color. There's no excuse for failing to get one that was at least close to my tail color. "Hidden zipper" my butt... it goes down the entire one side of the fluke. Do you think I could paint it or something?

[Mermaid Wesley]

well. you could try. i would actually try nail polish or something like that. but it isnt too hard to sew in a zipper if you want to change it out. Unless you dont have a sewing machine

[PearlieMae]

Use a Sharpie!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Now there's an idea


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

Ooo, I like the Sharpie! I would think nail polish would chip after a while. D; I do have a sewing machine, I'm just not confident with it. Although all these alterations have been a good learning experience! We'll see how various coloring attempts work before I look into swapping it out entirely~

So, I got this top to go with my tail, but seeing it against it, I'm wondering if it's too funky? I have the same one in black, just in case. [emoji14]

28188

[Seraphina Suds]

Also, the elastic is in! Pearlie was right (as always!), the wider band lays nicely. I hope I made it tight enough. I was nervous it wouldn't go over my hips.

28189

28190

[PearlieMae]

YAY!!! You can always make it tighter, it's harder to make it bigger!

I'd go with the black top, myself, maybe make some nice floaty fins or a neckline ruffle with your iridescent material on the black?

[Seraphina Suds]

Oh, yay! Good to know! C:

I was actually thinking of adding the material to this top!

28192

It needs some serious love. I've had it forever so most of the stretch is gone from it, but I can't bring myself to throw it away. The ruffles/gathers remind me of shells. [emoji14]

[Seraphina Suds]

I was gonna go swimming with Lindsey today and test out the tail upgrades, but I caught a cold. 8C

[Seraphina Suds]

Went swimming! The tail stayed up well enough. I plan on wearing a belt of some kind either way. The pool we were at was rough and I noticed damaged spots on the tail where it made contact with the walls and bottom of the pool. I'll have to be careful there from now on... my family pool is smooth, so I shouldn't have any issues there in the summer.

Picture by Mermaid Lindsey

28586

[PearlieMae]

WOW! At a glance, I thought it was a photo of me!

How do you like it? Any issues with the fit?

Also, with the aqua top, how about an elastic that goes around your chest like a bra, splitting it down the back so it's open, and decorating it with sequins, shells, netting, etc.?

[Seraphina Suds]

Aaaah that's such a compliment!! @0@

I'm pretty happy with where it's at right now. It slides down a bit, so I had to adjust after every lap or so. But I think that was because of my swimsuit; it had tummy flattening fabric underneath that the tail was sitting on. I think it'd stay up better on skin. Also I need to keep an eye on the seams where I added fins. It's a tight fit around the ankles so the seams are sort of stretched and I can see the stitches a bit.

Ooo, that sounds neat! I hate my stomach, but my back isn't too bad! I'll have to plan out out. Thanks for the idea!

[Seraphina Suds]

Pearlie, is this along the lines of what you meant?

28742

I just realized my trip to Mexico is coming up in a little over a week and I don't feel ready =_=;; I'm going to at least touch up the other side of the fluke and try to finish this top.

[PearlieMae]

Yes, but I'd envisioned the net going all the way around, like an overlay...but I love the neck and ribcage treatment!

I'm so jelly you're going to Mexico!

[Seraphina Suds]

I'll pin it out both ways and see what works best~

I'm really excited! Visiting my family with more family lol. Kinda sad that my mertender can't come this time, but it'll still be fun.

[Seraphina Suds]

Working on that top. I have more netting soaking now for the straps. And I'm going to add pearls and resin starfish here and there.

28815

Gonna paint the back side of the fluke as much as possible this afternoon.

[Seraphina Suds]

Got a Sharpie to color in the zipper, but didn't get to it tonight do I'll do that before work tomorrow. Progress on the top:
28824

[Anahita]

Pearls! I love pearls (obviously, lol) but I especially love that you put them along the empire waistline. Gives the top a little extra umpf factor

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks! I'm gonna try to add a few more details in the netting too.

Pearlie's Sharpie suggestion worked perfectly!! No more hideously obvious zipper!!
28839

[Seraphina Suds]

28907

Just needs another coat of paints and then it's done!

28908

The top is done too!

[Seraphina Suds]

28911

[Tiger Lily]

Use a Sharpie!

OMG your a genious! I was wondering what I could use to 'paint' stripes on my tail when I get it but you're idea is brilliant!!! And eco-friendly! Not to mention inexpensive!

Seraphina-Suds - your tail is soooo pretty! I hope to add a few fins on myself when I order my tail! And yours it will be my inspiration! Except mom will probably be in darker colors.

[PearlieMae]

Absolutely beautiful!!! I LOVE the fins, too!

See? You didn't need me to work on it, you did an amazing job! Can't wait to see it in water!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thank you, Hinata! I'm planning darker colors for my next tail too!

Thanks so much, Pearlie!! And for all your helpful advice too! <3 Hopefully you'll get to see it in person this summer!

[Tiger Lily]

Ooh do tell - what colors will you be using? =)

[Seraphina Suds]

Mostly green, purple, and blue, just subdued.

[Tiger Lily]

Ooh I bet it'll be lovely! Can't wait to see it when you make/order it and get pics! I love green and blue a lot - my fave is forest green and aquamarine blue. But since my hair is brown with tints of copper red, I think orange will rock. And with black stripes I plan to add with sharpie (its going to be fabric cause there is no way I can afford silicone��) I think its going to be awesome.

[Seraphina Suds]

Sounds like a good plan to me! They have fabric paint markers if you run into trouble with Sharpies, by the way!

[Tiger Lily]

Ooh not a bad idea! But I thought sharpies would be best cause they are nontoxic. Therefore eco-friendly! Is fabric paint nontoxic?

[Seraphina Suds]

I'm sure some brands are, especially if they're marketed as kids crafts.

[Seraphina Suds]

Soooooooo
29938
29939
29940
29941

[Ashe]

Wow that looks so pretty! I love the silicone and the transparent fabric :swoon:

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks! I'm just experimenting right now. I'm using a small tube of DAP all purpose adhesive sealant that is aquarium safe. It's all they had at Home Depot lol. But it seems that if it's spread thin, it stays clear.

[Seraphina Suds]

Alright, the tests are fully cured and stayed mostly clear. The color comes through well, so I think this is going to be part 2 of the tail revamp! I'm gonna work on paint touch ups to the fluke today and then cover that in a thin layer of silicone once it's dry. I probably won't be able too remove the monofin anymore, but I never did that much to start with. I'll also cover all the extra fins with a thin layer before starting on the scales.

I should probably do a duct tape dummy to put inside the tail before applying the scales, huh?

[OceanWhisper]

Awesome :D looks great!!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks! I just took the elastic waist in by about 3 inches and it feels like it's a much better fit. Should stay put in the water now.

[Seraphina Suds]

Found one of my old test fins so I tried covering it with the silicone.
30055
30056
30057
Hard to see, but the silicone makes little lines/ridges because of how I applied it, so it has a little texture.

[Seraphina Suds]

Really nervous to proceed but I'm hanging out with Mermaid Lindsey on Friday, so I want to get this done! I'm gonna make a body double after work today and start working on covering the fins.

[MerEmma]

WOW, that's a beautiful fin.

[Seraphina Suds]

Thank you!

[Seraphina Suds]

Well this is creepy
30156

[PearlieMae]

Hahaha! I know that feeling! I have three hanging I'm my living room...it looks like a bizarre meat locker!

[Seraphina Suds]

Lol crazy mermaid butcher!

I stuffed it full of news paper and put it into the tail for the morning. Gonna start work on the fins and hopefully finish the front side of everything by tomorrow night.
30176
Do you think it's enough ventilation if I do it indoors but with the windows wide open? I don't really care about myself so much as I do about my cat and rabbit that are constantly in the room with me...

[Mermaid Wesley]

Alright doctor frankenmaid lol it looks awesome!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

XD my mertender said the same thing!! Lol thanks~ I hope this works!

[OceanWhisper]

Well this is creepy
30156
ahahahah

[Seraphina Suds]

One tube and a third of the front side fluke done!
30198
Taking a few minutes to rest my squeezing hand lol

[PearlieMae]

Looking great! It really brings out the color!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks! It really does o: I hope it stays that way!
First side of the fluke finished!
30202
Once it's fully cured, I'll go back and fill in any spots I missed. I think I coated it pretty well though. I'm going to have to pick up more silicone 😫

[MermaidAine]

So what are you using to smooth it out?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

Nothing! I like the texture of the ridges, so I'm just leaving it as is out of the tube~

[MermaidAine]

Ah ok. I like the way it's looking so far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks! I'm gonna start working on the other fins too.

[Seraphina Suds]

30208
Side and front fins done! You can barely see the difference, which is perfect!

[Seraphina Suds]

And here is where I stop for today.
30209
30210
I'll grab some more silicone after work tomorrow and try to finish the rest of the front scales. It's a little sloppy, but I'm happy with it. I'm no artist and free hand squeezing is hard lol. I'm even more excited to order from Fifi now. Can't wait to see what a professional job looks like xD

[Ashton]

Your work so far looks so cool! In my mind I picture it like icing a cake!

[PearlieMae]

Are you using the kind that uses the tube gun? It's infinitely easier and less than five bucks.

30212


Also, you stuffed it full of newspaper, but did you line it with anything? You don't want the silicone to seep and stick newspaper to the inside of your tail...stuff the newspaper into a plastic garbage bag and stuff that into your tail...the silicone won't stick to the garbage bag.

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks, Ashton! It is like decorating a cake lol. Wish I could rotate it that easily!

They didn't have this stuff in a bigger size, Pearlie =\ I don't mind doing it by hand, I just need to take breaks, haha.
I have a duct tape dummy in there! So it's silicone, spandex, duct tape, saran wrap, then newspaper :3

[WaterDragon]

Your Tail is looking amazing!

[Mermaid Aika]

It looks great! Can't wait to see more progress!

[Fifi Tigg]

Looking good Seraphina Suds! :D

[PearlieMae]

Duh... :doh:

And I looked right at your tape dummy, too! I'm the dummy!

[Mermaid Alea]

This is wonderful! I can't wait to see this finished!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks everyone!! Back at it today. So much work @-@ I'm not sure I'll have it done by Friday, but I'm still gonna try.

30236

[PearlieMae]

You are going to look stunning in this!

[Seraphina Suds]

😆 aww thank you, Pearlie! I hope you're right!
Stopping for today, needed some fresh air
30240
It's getting there! I'm having trouble staying in a straight line with the scales lol. But it looks unique and organic to me so I'm fine with it~

[Seraphina Suds]

Update! I covered my mess with flowers heh
30310
30311
I've run into a minor problem... I bought all the silicone in the two nearest home depots! I'm gonna have to get more online and just continue when it arrives. I have enough to get the other side of the fluke done and probably a few rows of scales on the back tomorrow.

[Ashe]

That came out so nice! The sparkling fabric underneath really works

[Ashe]

May I ask what kind of silicone you are using? It's a caulk, yeah? So how skin safe is it when cured?

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks!
It's dap aquarium sealant. 100% silicone and safe for fresh and salt water fish. It should be fine once it's fully cured~

[Mermaid Wesley]

Wooowwww


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[OceanWhisper]

looks so beautiful!!!

[MermaidAine]

Looking great Seraphina! How many tubes so far?

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks everyone!
Hmm I used 4, then 6... Just bought 7 and have 3 coming in the mail XD;;; they're only 5$ each thank goodness.

[Seraphina Suds]

30324
Got the back of the fluke done!

[Seraphina Suds]

30327

[PearlieMae]

Looking great!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks!
Made some more progress
30344

[Seraphina Suds]

30397

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Ashe]

That's really pretty :) Fantastic job!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks!! X3

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Nice work! I hope its not too heavy when you go swimming in it.

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks! I don't think out will be too heavy at all. The silicone is pretty thinly on there and the spandex weighed basically nothing. The monofin will probably continue to be the heaviest bit xD

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

Finally got more silicone! Gonna knock this out by the end of the week!

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Dancing Fish]

Gorgeous!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks! :3
Fishbutt done! Gotta let it cure and pick up more silicone, then I can finish the front tomorrow!
30522
I'm gonna touch up my fluke and close it up too. (Leaving drainage of course)

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

30523
Zipper and fluke sealed

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Ashe]

It's really looking amazing. The shimmery fabric and the fins just look so perfect together! I'm really interested to see how it looks underwater :)

[Elodea the Mermaid]

This looks so beautiful! I want to try it on my favorite tail, my black spandex one. Do you think the silicone treatment would work over material that dark?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Isabel]

It looks amazing!!!!! so is it easy to put silicone on the side of the fluke? :) would you suggest to put the silicone first and then sew the tail or sew the fabric and put silicone? I'm working on a velvet/silicone tail and being my first tail of this kind I need a LOT of advice :D

[PearlieMae]

That is so wonderful!

Now aren't you glad I didn't help you and screw it all up? This is wonderful!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks everyone!! Can't wait until I can test it out!

Elodea, I think it would work fine on black! You just have to keep it thin. The thicker part of the scales are slightly milky because of the layered silicone, which is why my scales are so long; needed to let the color shine through.

Isabel, definitely sew the fabric first! My tail was a complete tail already. I just decided to add the silicone for a new look. So silicone should be your last step!

Pffft, Pearlie, you would not have screwed it up at all! I bet it would have been much, much better with your touch! I am pretty happy I was able to do what I wanted on my own, but I'm still so, so thankful that you offered!! 😳


Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Aika]

This is looking awesome, Seraphina!

[Seraphina Suds]

SHE IS COMPLETE
30567
Please ignore the mess lol


Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Elodea the Mermaid]

She looks fantastic! I am intimidated and excited to try this myself.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks, Aika!

Elodea, don't be intimated! You can do it! Just practice a bit on some scraps to get the method down. And maybe use a ruler or something to keep your lines straight? Mine kinda curve all over the place XD and thank you!!


Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[PearlieMae]

YAY!!! :yay: :cheerleader: :cheerleader: :cheerleader: :cheerleader:

Congrats! Can't wait to see it swim!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks Pearlie!!! Will you be at the meet up after the parade?? That'll be the first time I'm able to test her out!

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[PearlieMae]

Hopefully, yes! I'll be part of the whole thing going down to open the Ocean for the season. The judges all usually jump in once the offerings and blessings are done. I'll send you my cell number! I don't know if I'll have a swimmable tail, though...I have to be mobile to help wrangle the judges! I'll try and have at least a fabric tail with me! I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Can you tell I love this dumb parade?

[Seraphina Suds]

Awesome!! Last time I was there (2 years ago I think), that happened right next to where we were camped out for the day!

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Clara]

Do you know what kind of paint was used to paint the tail originally?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

I don't know what Citrine painted it with, but we guessed some kind of acrylic. My mertender painted over that with Tulip brand fabric spray paint.

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Clara]

I don't know what Citrine painted it with, but we guessed some kind of acrylic. My mertender painted over that with Tulip brand fabric spray paint.

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

Ok thank you. Your tail looks fantastic by the way, I can't wait to see it in action!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Wesley]

Fantastic!!!! I know you weren't in love with this tail before so I hope it's awesome for you now :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mermaid_ashes]

Citrine said she used speical paints, but my tail from her looks like acrilyc as well (and is peeling after a few swims) I had already thought about covering my tail in aquarium sealant before..but now I definitely want to do this next winter!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks, Kelly and Wesley!

Ashes, I had a really bad time with my tail from her =\ I dunno what "special" paint means, but it certainly wasn't suited for use on fabric. If/when you make over your tail, let me know if you have any questions! It's really pretty to start with so I'm sure you could turn it into something amazing! :3

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[mermaid_ashes]

Will do, yours really does look fab, thanks for posting your progress pics!

[Mermaid Danielle]

This turned out beautiful! I can't wait to hear how it holds up and looks in the water! Great work!

[Mermaid Isabel]

Thank you Seraphina for the answer! I love how your tail is seamless!!!! :D

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks, girls!!
Tried it on today, huge difference! When it was just the fabric I could lazily tug it up and on, but now I have to go carefully and slowly lol. And the added weight is crazy!
30628
Hahah my crooked scales! I think I'll have to go back in at the end of the season and fill in some spots that I missed/didn't quite connect. But I think it looks pretty good for a first try!

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Keiris]

Seraphina it just looks FANTASTIC!!!! You did such an amazing job creating that texture and it does make your tail seamless and much fishier!!! Congrats!!!:yay:

[PearlieMae]

I think it looks awesome! I hope you don't mind if I try a version of it!

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks, Keiris!! :3

Pearlie, of course! 😱 I'm sure yours will be amazing!

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[MermaidAine]

It is looking great!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Seraphina Suds]

Quick update! I used my tail for the first time since the upgrade at the Coney Island mermaid parade last month. It worked great! The only issue I had (which was completely my own fault) was that the heel area peeled up. I was butt scooting across the sand, fluke end first, and I was too tired to be lifting my fluke up high enough off the sand. So the scales caught on the wet/compacted sand and started to lift off.

31306

Easy enough to fix though! It was kinda gross because it looked and felt like peeling the skin off a giant blister or something xD There's a few other spots where I noticed the silicone doesn't quite connect along the scales, but I'm not worried about it right now. The only other thing I need to touch up are the fins. Sand somehow got inside them all?? So I'll have to do surgery on those at the end of summer if it doesn't wash out on its own.

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[darksiren]

looks beautiful! If I may ask, do you feel that the adding of silicone to the fin fabric was necessary? I am planning on using that kind of fabric on my tail, BIG fins, and I want to know if it's worth it to coat them.

[Seraphina Suds]

Thanks! It wasn't necessary really, but it looked complete and more realistic with the silicone on everything.

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk