Making a Tail Sleeve for Mahina

[Vala Luna]

Hi All,

I had a look through the forums and couldn't really find what I was looking for, hoping someone could help me.
I am wanting to make a fabric tail to go with my Mahina, however I don't want to cover the fin, just have the 'sleeve' cover the foot area.
Can anyone give me some ideas on how to go about it?
Thanks in advance.

Vala Luna

[Mermaid Mia]

I saw someone do this with a kids tail. But it did cover part of the fin. Basically they made "underwear" at the end of the tail, so the fabric comes to a V and the fin sticks out either side. I think this is probably the best option if you wants to cover the feet but not the whole Mono-fin. Good luck :)


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[lotusauriel]

What I am planning to do is glue velcro dots to the merfin, just below where the footpockets end, and have the corresponding velcro sewn onto the end of the tail body.

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[Mermaid Mia]

Thag sounds good. I would suggest industrial strength Velcro cause the other stuff likes to separate in water. I have no idea if any glue likes to stick to mono-fins. So when you find a way to attach the Velcro please share :)


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[lotusauriel]

I am also considering sewing shelf lining onto the end of the tail body as a fluke covering on top of my cut and painted merfin. I tried to do one out of presequined fabric, and found that even with a stretchy lining, the sequin fabric just wouldn't cooperate. So I am sequining a neoprene one.

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[Mermaid Mia]

Looking forward to seeing the product. Sounds really interesting!


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[lotusauriel]

😄

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[Vala Luna]

What I am planning to do is glue velcro dots to the merfin, just below where the footpockets end, and have the corresponding velcro sewn onto the end of the tail body.

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I acctually was at the fabric shop yesterday and had this thought too :)
May give it a shot; otherwise I got some black bug netting (my mahina is black) to create a longer cover, that way my tail fabric doesn't need to go down onto my monofin as much.
Once I start working on it I will post Progress; LotusAuriel you should too :)

[lotusauriel]

I found some videos when I was looking for how to cut a mahina, and it looked like their tails weren't attached at all. I think, as long as it's fitted right, it really doesn't have to. The fin is attached to your feet, and the tail body should be tight enough to stay put on it's own.
As it is, I have to start over with neoprene, because the sequin fabric I was trying didn't work. And I really want to make a larger clear/iridescent fluke covering, over this. It would extend out and be more flowy. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160530/a88c04bcdaa5680d7afa169b7db61510.jpg

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[Luna Dreamtide]

What did you use to paint the fin?

[lotusauriel]

First I cut the tips and edges, then smoothed them with a file. Then sanded it with just a sponge sander thing. I painted it with black plasti-dip spray, and then glitter spray paint on top of that. Some glitter, then a coat of the plasti-dip glossifier spray. I did make some mistakes, and wound up getting the paint too thick, but for the most part, this worked well. If/when I do it again, I'll just use different colors of plastidip and powder pigments.
I had to coat mine, because I'm allergic to latex, and did have a reaction to my fin. After painting it, and with the neoprene dive socks, everything is fine.

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[Mary Marine]

My fabric tail ends in a V shape and the point has a button closer the fits at the V of the Mahina. To me it's more secure than velcro, but you do have to reinforce the fabric where the button is with an little triangle of non stretchy fabric.

[Mermaid Aria]

My fabric tail ends in a V shape and the point has a button closer the fits at the V of the Mahina. To me it's more secure than velcro, but you do have to reinforce the fabric where the button is with an little triangle of non stretchy fabric.
Would you mind posting a pic? I am having difficulty picturing for some reason.

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