Making my first tail...what material is best for the cover?

[Sapphire Mermaid]

Hello everyone!

First of all, I am new here (about an hour old), and omgosh you merfolk are amazing! I never knew there were so many people that were so in love with being a mermaid like me! I feel like I have just found home. :blush:

Secondly, I have read through some threads and figured out that the finfun monofin would be best for me to start with. I have just ordered one (YAY!) and I would like to make my own tail cover (not even sure if that's the right word?), but I am not sure what material to use and what would be best in water. Lycra is obviously great because of it's stretch and water usability, but do you have any other suggestions?

Much loves!

[mermaid_selene]

Neoprene would last longer than spandex, but if you want a cheaper fabric that may already come in a scale pattern I would go with spandex.


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[MerMaiden Lissa]

Joann fabrics has a pretty scale pattern fabric in their new cosplay line.

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[PearlieMae]

You'll need a four-way stretch spandex if you're making one for yourself (search fabric tails on the network). I saw that fabric today, it's very pretty! However, the holographic finish dulls incredibly quickly, and it's two-way stretch, and that has its own set of problems and issues.

Dig around, take your time. Lots of info here if you do the research! Welcome to Mernetwork!

PS: there's quite the kettle of mermen here, too!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Beware of the lycra or spandex that you find in other departments other than the swimwear section, some of it don't last more than 2 swims, and will start to break down no matter how or what you soak/wash the tail in.

This is speaking from experience when I found some nice striped fabric for fins and it started to break down after one swim. I soak all my swimming equipment in wetsuit wash before thoroughly rinsing them. That was a bust and I had to trim all my nice fins off!

[Sapphire Mermaid]

Thank you for the help!! I decided on swim spandex in a solid colour that I will dye or paint to be the shades I want. So excited to start making this tail! I just want my fin already! :D <3

[Mermatron Athena]

I'm an experienced dyer, and spandex is already dyed, even the white, so it doesn't take color all that well.

Paint is a better option.

Jo Ann's has a new fabric, which I elected to try for my tail (avatar), (even though I couldn't find any info on if it holds up to the pool). It's a latex coated 4 way stretch fabric. It was so much easier to sew than spandex. I've only swam in it a handful of times, but it looks and feels great. Except where I kinda scuffed a knee, it's holding up better than the printed spandex (prints stretch and the paint pulls apart to wrinkly). That little scuff mark is fine, no peeling thus far.

The pool at my apartment is only 3-4.5 feet the whole thing through, so scuffs are bound to happen! It was really hard to scuff it at all though.

[Mermatron Athena]

Also, if you must go with spandex, try Spandex World which is online. They have samples for $1 or so they will send so you can abuse the fabric before buying for a tail. The swim spandex they have is very high quality.

[seventwelve]

I'm an experienced dyer, and spandex is already dyed, even the white, so it doesn't take color all that well.

Jo Ann's has a new fabric, which I elected to try for my tail (avatar), (even though I couldn't find any info on if it holds up to the pool). It's a latex coated 4 way stretch fabric.


Are you talking about the new Yaya cosplay fabrics? I bought some of it to try doing a tail as well. It's one of the almost powder-coated vinyl looking ones. What did you use for paint? I tried Lumiere and Neopaque, but they peeled up.

[Mermaid Wesley]

The yaya fabrics CAN NOT get wet! The dye leeches and has caused severe reactions and burns in some people. Be careful!


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[seventwelve]

The yaya fabrics CAN NOT get wet! The dye leeches and has caused severe reactions and burns in some people. Be careful!

Yeah, I'm not convinced. That was all followed up by a lot of skepticism and pointing out holes in the original claim. Any of types of fabrics, not just the Yaya ones, can cause skin reactions in a small subset of people. I've been doing painting and heat experiments with it and carrying it around for a while, so there's definitely no dry reaction. (Some people have said they were itchy just touching it in the store.) Unless somebody provides some concrete evidence of widespread problems (which hasn't happened on any cosplay forum I read), I'm not too worried about adding water, except for what will happen to the paint.

[Mermaid Momo]

Even if the claims aren't true (personally I can't handle Yaya fabric for a long period of time as my hands and skin start to get irritated, probably from the dye used) Yaya fabric is still trash. From a seamstress perspective her fabrics tear easily, loose any raised imprints, the texture in the fabric is gone before you even leave the store, and Joanns already offers much of the exact same fabrics already for cheaper.

[seventwelve]

Even if the claims aren't true (personally I can't handle Yaya fabric for a long period of time as my hands and skin start to get irritated, probably from the dye used) Yaya fabric is still trash. From a seamstress perspective her fabrics tear easily, loose any raised imprints, the texture in the fabric is gone before you even leave the store, and Joanns already offers much of the exact same fabrics already for cheaper.

There are definitely ones I wouldn't buy because there are similar ones for way less. The brocades especially seem pretty terrible. But the one I got I'm pretty happy with and didn't find a lookalike of. Plus JoAnn's coupons are awesome.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I'm glad it works for you! Just always small scale test etc


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