Making Tails for my Friends!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Two of my friends are interested in having me make them mermaid tails! I'm really excited! When all of our tails are finished, we are planning to head down to the beach and hang out and have a photo shoot!!! It may take a while to complete their tails but I will keep you mers posted here :)

Mermaid Tail #1:
This tail will be either solid black or black and neon green zebra with a set of ankle and pectoral fins.
It will have a pair of flippers instead of a monofin. The fluke's edge will be painted black.
Mermaid Tail #2:
This tail will be neon green with a set on purple ankle and pectoral fins (or vise versa).
The fluke's edge will be painted purple as well. It will have flippers instead of a monofin.

What do you guys think? I'm really excited to make their tails! ;)

[Mermaid Photine]

Wow. You seem to always be making a tail. Do you have a closetfull of them? I admire your enthusiasm and ability to stay on a project for lengths of time. Have fun!

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ LOL! Not yet but I have so many ideas I might some day soon! If only I was a millionare...*sigh* :lol:

[Mermaid Saphira]

New designs for them!!

Mermaid Tail #1:
Neon green tail. Set of four purple pectoral and ankle fins.
Purple on the edge of the fluke and at the top of the costume.
Above the painted edge, six dots.

Mermaid Tail #2
Lime green tail with set of four black pectoral and ankle fins.
Black painted on the edge of the fluke. he tail will have glow paint on it :D Can't wait to try this one 2 :)

[Mermaid Saphira]

Just got a 3rd friend interested!! Not sure what we are doing for her tail yet, butI have a feeling it will include anime XD

[Mermaid Saphira]

New tail for my best friend, Bubbles!!! She got a plain lime green skin and we wil be painting it with emerald green lumiere paint! PAINT WE ARE USING
(http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/zoomImagedetail.jsp?PRODID=6017214&imageType=m&itemType=sku)

[Mermaid Sirena]

I think they sound really pretty and you must post progress shots :P

[ShyMer]

I think it's pretty awesome you have buddies that are into the idea of mermaiding with you. My best friend will wear the monofin and thinks it's great fun, but is very firm in not being a mermaid :p

I also think it's cool that you'll get to work on a bunch of tails with the possible excuse that they're not really yours, they're for (so and so). That's how I've gotten away with buying so many houseplants.

[Mermaid Saphira]

My friends will be ordering the tails from MermaidParties. Sarah's tail is going to be silver spandex with black accents (paint)2 of my other friends are getting copper colored spandex tails for a show we are stiving to make happen. And my best friend (mermaid Bubbles) is getting one copper colored spandex tail for the show plus a green spandex tail that I may get to paint accents onto :DSadly one of my friends moved to another state but she still is very interested in an anime style tail (probably something along the lines of a lilac and sparkely mermaid melody style tail)!!


UPDATE: MY FRIENDS WILL NOT BE ORDERING FROM MERMAID PARTIES! I AM MAKING THEM! ;)

[Mermaid Saphira]

MERMAID BUBBLES: TAIL DESIGN

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FRONT

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BACK

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INSPIRATION

[Mermaid Saphira]

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FRONT

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BACK

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DORSAL FIN (maybe)

[Mermaid Saphira]

FABRIC:
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PAINT:
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[Mermaid Fenicia]

Attachments don't work :(

[Mermaid Saphira]

Huh..thats weird! That worked earlier O_o
I can not upload the photos as I deleted them.
However, it is basically lime green fabric and
Tulip slick fabric paint in yellow, blue, black and white ;)

[Mermaid Saphira]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :yay: We just ordered Sarah and Bubbles's flippers and fins! They should arrive in 3-5 days! I'm so excited!!!

[Mermaid Saphira]

We got both fins in the mail today!!! Started working on ducktaping and gluing the fins today, which I am making a tutorial for :3 keep you updated!

[Mermaid Saphira]

BTW here is a pick of pj clad Bubbles opening her monofin :lol:

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[Mermaid Saphira]

Here is a quick tutorial of how to cut a monofin...

Materials needed: a monofin, poster board (or pattern paper), a pencil, scissors, a pair of tin snips and a sheet of sand paper

Step 1: Begin by tracing your un-cut monofin onto the posterboard (or pattern paper) using a pencil.
Step 2: Next, fold the poster board (or pattern paper) in haft so there is a crease right down the middle of the monofin pattern.
Step 3: Trace on ONE SIDE of the folded pattern haft the shape or design you want your fin to have. Be sure you know what you want.
A few examples include a cresent shaped fluke or a dolphin shaped fluke.
Step 4: Cut the folded pattern on the haft you drew your design. Once it is cut, un fold the pattern and take a look. Are you happy with the design?
Step 5: Now, lay your monofin on a flat surface and lay the pattern on top.
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Step 6: Using the clear tape, tape down the pattern to the monofin so it does not wiggle around while you cut.
Step 7: It's time to begin cutting!! Take your tin snips and carefully cut along the pattern like shown in the video...

http://youtu.be/LKK800rJhK0
Step 8: Now that your monofin is cut, peel away the pattern paper and take a look!
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Step 9: Your monofin will look a little scruffy, this is why we are going to clean it up with sand paper. Simply rub the rough edges with the sheet of sand paper until you get a cleaner looking cut like in the video below...

http://youtu.be/W6UrihnNgCw
Step 10: Your done cutting your monofin! Good job! :yay:
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[Mermaid Saphira]

WE GOT SARAH AND BUBBLE'S FABRIC! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!!! BUBBLES WAS SO EXCITED SHE RAN INTO THE WAL :lol:
WILL POST PICS IN JUST A FEW ;)

[Mermaid Saphira]

And now, for your enjoyment, fabric pictures :D

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^Fabric for Mermaid Bubbles

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^ Fabric for our friend Sarah

[Mermaid Saphira]

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Before!

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^ After (front)

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^ After (back)! I apologize for the crappy photo, horrible lighting in my living room T.T

[MerEmma]

How's the Finis Wave holding up? You cut it at such a sharp edge. D:

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ It holds up perfectly fine, not a problem.

[The Harlem Mermaid]

HI Mermaid Saphira (http://mernetwork.com/index/member.php?106-Mermaid-Saphira) great job on cutting the mono fin! nicely made, my hubby pre-cut both my Wave & Rapid fin into merfins he sanded it down first then cut it, made it easier he also sanded down the ridges for me before cutting. Nice job