any out of the box ideas?

[merwandering]

Ideas on making a silicone tail open down the back? There are several reasons I'd love to see if I can do it this way- zipper? Snaps? Velcro? Am I just begging for a serious wardrobe malfunction? Or making the tail way less swimmable? Would love any thoughts:)

[moniee]

The way I'm making mine is I'm using a neoprene base for my tail to which I can sew a zipper at the back. My hip and waist measurements are so different there's no way I can squeeze my bum through the waist (a waist that fits) of a tail. I'm then planning to cover the zippers with a 2-part dorsal fin :)

[SeaMansa]

I don't think itll be less swimmable, some tails used to have zippers I believe.

[mermaidenspins]

Hello, I have been watching a video on youtube from the people who make the tails for H2O show- their tails are neoprene underneath, but zip down the back and the zippers are hidden with in the dorsal fluke. I love the way this makes the whole tail seamless, basically. My new daughter-in-law is a costumer. I was going to see if she could help me do the basic tail shape. I would make a silicone tail coating like Reef Fish did on these forums I believe she called it 'hybrid tail' (if you look up her posts in Tailmaking, she only has 4 posts) . I also was thinking that if you cut slits into the neoprene where the fins would go, and stitch up the ends so the neoprene doesn't split, then you could put netting through the slits out to the front of the tail, cut it to a fin shape, then silicone over it as Reef Fish did to make her fins, just make them laying on a piece of plastic, laying on the tail- which would seem to be a more secure way to attach fins (what do you think?). The netting can be trimmed and stitched over against the skin with some fabric or embroidery thread so that you wouldn't feel the scratchiness of any netting. Or, coat it internally with some silicone.

[merwandering]

Thank you! I decided to just forgo the zipper idea, because it doesn't have neoprene or a strong fabric to attach the zipper to, I was worried- I didn't think powermesh could hold up to that kind of work. but I appreciate your help!!!!!!

[Imogen Finnly]

Here is out of the box:
I have a weird zipper question, if you had a power mesh silicone tail, could you add a zipper to it? I know it only adheres to itself, but has anyone tried?

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[merwandering]

Imogen I was really looking into it. I had several ideas, like getting a really heavy duty marine grade zipper, and then use strips of a heavier fabric (maybe not a solid piece because it wouldn't allow stretch? not sure.) and just encase whatever fabric in the silicone.
I think it would work. I might even try it at some point- especially given the fact that so far, getting into my tail dry has got to be the most ridiculous life threatening unattractive process ever...

[Imogen Finnly]

Maybe do some test swatches just in case? And you could always add a cute set if fins to cover it up too! Im just so curious as why no one has tried it yet!
Oh it really is. I use jojoba oil to slip into mine, and I'm glad its a little big, or else my ass wouldn't be able to fit into it gaha

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