Neoprene Tail skins

[Ilyena]

Hi Mers, (hopefully the right place in the forum)

Putting my fins in the deep end here. Seeing if anyone is interested in just plain neoprene tail skins so that they can paint their own and use their own monofins. I've read some are nervous of working with neoprene but they want a step up without the price-tag to match. I prefer making them as close to seamless as possible rather than sewing with a machine.

I have made 3 neoprene tails so far, excuse the slug one that was a lot of trial and many errors which I learnt from, and a few accessories and a top.

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Purple and blue scale one was made with wiggle room as it was meant to dry events and a sealed fluke (has been swum in once though, never again as it ballons up). While the black ones is snugger and has been swum in (videos on Adelaide Mermaids fb page). I have showed the seam in both photos, might have to look closely.

The neoprene comes in many colours and has fabric on both sides. I'd ask for a template of the monofin you'd like to use and I use heavy duty velcro to keep the flukes shut (Had velcro on my blue spandex tail, that lasted 2 years with proper care, tail gave up before the velcro). A zip could also be used.

Due to it being Australia they'd start around $350 (edited due to price hike of neoprene here which I didn't know about till I just ordered), keep in mind conversion and shipping which I'll enquire about tomorrow at the post office if I get time.

I won't be taking anything on until the new year as it's the silly season at work and I'm like a chicken with it's head chopped off. But just asking if anyone would be interested.

[Spindrift]

I think it's a good idea!

[Starfrit]

This is a really neat idea! I've thought about getting more tailskins to use with my monofin, and being able to buy premade, blank tailskins would be REALLY neat for if I wanted to try painting my own tail. :D I've thought about making my own neoprene tails, but I don't have the equipment, space, funds or... talent... or anything like that, lol. XD

I think it could really take off. Even with it being in Australia, that's a pretty awesome deal!

[Vrindavana Starfish]

Excellent idea.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I would be when its closer to MerQuest. Does the neoprene come in a skin color?

I have been practicing for nearly two years, I think it would be a good upgrade for me, esp in winter swimming!

[Vela]

I think this is a really cool idea!! I had a massive fail with my neoprene tail! The main struggle was my Hydra monofin! So I think just to have a skin would be cool, especially one that fit the hydra fin. I like the idea! :)

[Ilyena]

I'm not confident painting someone elses tail due to how picky I am lol but I like making skins (theres only so many tail skins I can have at once).

I think they had beige. I already have a hydra so they'd be easier to make a skin for rather than waiting for a template.

[Ilyena]

When I get access to a working computer I'll post a couple more pictures. Im close to ditching my computer but its probably just a bug

[Mer-Crazy]

Woo Australia. I was actually just thinking about how I'd need a neoprene tail skin if I wanted to make a sequin tail. I may hit you up if I ever get around during to it.

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[Ilyena]

Computer is temporarily being nice to me!

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Zip is a different colour because I didn't have any other on me and eh my tail and I don't mind as long as it got the monofin out easily since it didn't slide out the bottom, the velcro is also in the same tail with the zipfor water drainage means.

Also remembered I have 4 neoprene tails, how that was over looked beats me since they're stacked together lol.

[Ilyena]

Hi Mers,

Just got back from 10 days on the beach...well when it wasn't blowing a gale.

I am open to those who would like a plain neoprene skin. Here is the colour list for the neoprene and from experience all colours aren't always available straight away in the 2mm I prefer to use, but they should all be available if ordered (which may take a little longer). Other thicknesses available on request.

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I would either need a template sent of the monofin you would like to use, or a straight on picture with a ruler + your measurements as detailed in the "How to measure for a tail" thread which I cannot find presently.

If you would like to chat about it you can message me here or on my mermaid FB page as it may be easier there.

Hope everyone had a great New Year ^_^

[UtahMermaidPearl]

So could I send you my body dummy and you would make it the tail? Is that how this works?


MermaidPearl

[Ilyena]

The thread I was reffering to can be found here: How to Measure for a Tail (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?4157)

Yes, I get a dummy or measurements along with the monofin picture (with a ruler for scale), unless I already have the template for said monofin, and I can make a tail.

I haven't used a body dummy before though, so that may take a little longer so I can double check measurements.

[Mermaid Clara]

Hi Mers,

Just got back from 10 days on the beach...well when it wasn't blowing a gale.

I am open to those who would like a plain neoprene skin. Here is the colour list for the neoprene and from experience all colours aren't always available straight away in the 2mm I prefer to use, but they should all be available if ordered (which may take a little longer). Other thicknesses available on request.

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I would either need a template sent of the monofin you would like to use, or a straight on picture with a ruler + your measurements as detailed in the "How to measure for a tail" thread which I cannot find presently.

If you would like to chat about it you can message me here or on my mermaid FB page as it may be easier there.

Hope everyone had a great New Year ^_^

Do you have a estimated price? Do they have zippers?
Update: never mind about the zipper question. I just looked at the pictures again.

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[Ilyena]

Estimated price starts at $350 AUD, written in the first post somewhere lol but fins and complex fluke designs may be a little more. Postage though starts around $70 over seas but is a case by case basis

[Calizaire]

Oh boy does this excite me!!
I recently decided to dive into the madness of sequinning a tail. However, I have very limited sewing skills and don't trust myself to make a neoprene tail that won't just fall apart and take all my hard sequinning work with it.
I was just last night thinking, "Jeez, can't I just find someone who makes plain old non-embellished neoprene tails!? Does anyone do that?"

Fintastic!!!

[Calizaire]

Sorry to blather on, but your Etsy items are ADORABLE. :)

[Ilyena]

Thank you. Blather as you wish. I started sewing some random sequins on 3mm neoprene while back for testing and seeing if I could and how I feel to make a whole tail. Haven't tried it on 2mm but I think 3mm neoprene for sequins so you don't accidentally go through the fabric when stitching the sequins on. That's just my thinking.

[Mermaid Clara]

Estimated price starts at $300 AUD, written in the first post somewhere lol but fins and complex fluke designs may be a little more. Postage though starts around $70 over seas but is a case by case basis

Ok, I'm definitely super interested! I kinda need a new neoprene skin for my sequin tail. Mine is completely like a Frankenstein tail. It's been taken in and cut apart and some taking out.


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[Ilyena]

My first one was kinda a franken tail, that's probably a thread on its own "How not to use neoprene" lol.

But I'd be glad to help anyone who would like a neoprene tail.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Awesome good luck!


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[Ilyena]

Thank you Wesley ^_^

[Vela]

I am very interested in this! I want to have a practice tail. But my skills with neoprene stink....I have tried.

I am seriously thinking about taking you up on plain skin. I just need to pick a color :)

[Ilyena]

Just remember most fabrics when wet look darker than they actually are dry.

[MermaidBrandie]

This is such a great idea and you do great seamless sides!! I would be interested but its a bit much for me atm. D:

[Ilyena]

Maybe one day :). The AUD > USD conversion it is quite a bit less..sucks for us buying things.

[Ilyena]

After a little delay, the moderately big roll of neoprene and glue arrived today ^_^ Now to get started on tails tonight :)

[Ilyena]

First tail on its way to its new home!!
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[Mermaid Jaffa]

Ooo! That's cute!

[Vela]

I am excited for it to get here! :)

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I may get one pretty soon. After swimming in Sydney Harbour last week, for the first time, it was sooo cold!!! The only fun part was finding warm spots, but those spots don't stay long! I spent most of my swim time, laying on the shoreline enjoying the sunshine and freezing my bits off whenever the waves washed over me!

[Luna Dreamtide]

Wow that's great! I may just have to get one.
Would they work as a base for a sequin tail at all?

[Ilyena]

They sure could :) I have plans for one, that might get done sometime in the next 2 years lol! The tail is already done and I have just barely started stitching the sequins on.

[Froth]

I'm pretty interested in this myself, would you be willing to just do the tailspin to the ankles? I wanted to do a mixed media tail :)

[Ilyena]

That would be do able ^_^ Would just need to know where it ended..then again with the way I construct them you could trim it to where ever you wanted.

[Froth]

This is true and I would get the option lol
i really need to save up!

[Ilyena]

Working on another tail, pictures to come when my computer decides to play nicely!

[Ilyena]

I had already started painting it and had forgotten to take pics of before paint. But anyway here is the beginnings of my neoprene/latex tail.
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[landlockedmermaid]

I love your tails. I would be very interested in having you do my next tail. I really can't see myself moving on to silicone ever so I want to make my neoprene dream tail a reality. Love your work.

[landlockedmermaid]

I love your tails. I would be very interested in having you do my next tail. I really can't see myself moving on to silicone ever so I want to make my neoprene dream tail a reality. Love your work.

[Ilyena]

Hi, Just message me and we can work out the details ^_^

[Ilyena]

Just a bit of a FYI, during Aussie winter things may take a bit longer to complete.

[hollyrelles]

I had already started painting it and had forgotten to take pics of before paint. But anyway here is the beginnings of my neoprene/latex tail.
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Love looking at this


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[Ilyena]

For now that's tail is on the back burner due to various orders and other costuming thing needing my attention. No rush on it though as i have my other tails :)

[Ilyena]

I have 2mm white/black neoprene. So if anyone would like a tail made from that there would be no wait to start!

[Froth]

Are you still making these tail skins? I am very interested in the possible upcoming months when I have the appropriate amount of money set aside!

[Ilyena]

Oh, I didn't see this here. I'm sorry!!! but yes I am. Current projects put on hold my own tail (which isn't quite working out with the latex and all but it's a good practice tail!). Just message when you're ready ^_^

[Mitten Mermaid]

Hey I Irena are you still making these neoprene Mermaid tails?

[Ilyena]

Hi Sadie, Yes I am.

[Ilyena]

Just thought to post to keep this updated that I am still making neoprene tails :)