Custom Made Fabric Fins

[SINicallyTwisted]

Hi guys, I need some advice and or feedback please!

First off, sorry for my quietness, I have been terribly busy though I do pop in here and there! Anyways as some of you may already know, I am a fan of fabric tails. I create my own mermaid tails such as the Steampunk Mermaid, the 4th of July Mermaid, the Sugar Skull Mermaid and so on, so I'm no stranger to making things with fabric. I am always testing out and playing around with ideas to learn and improve my skills. Several friends have pointed out to me the interesting way I create fins and have suggested that I create custom made fabric fins for all those fabric tails wearers out there. I know my friends are supportive but they do not wear tails nor swim in one so getting some feedback from you all would be great as I am highly considering this.

I may eventually will need a tester but for right not I'm only interested in getting peoples feedback on this idea. I would hate to make up a bunch if there is no interest so for the moment feedback would be a good starting point for me, especially those that are fabric tail wearers and want fins.

To show you what I'm talking about here is a few pics.
This is a pic from my Vulcan Mermaid tail that I created, the hip fins are what my friends are referring to.
http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=32494&d=1440443467

And this is a pic of a hip fin for a new mermaid tail that I am currently working on and as you can see it's not finished but you get the idea.
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This past weekend, after many discussions about this subject, I sat down and start designing out more fins in various sizes and shapes.
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I'm considering bringing these custom made fins to my etsy shop. I think this would be a cool addition for all of the fabric tails out there. They are a bit time consuming to create but not so much that I wouldn't mind making them.

What do you guys think? Would this be of any interest to anyone?

[Mermaid Cataleya]

Totally I tried so hard to make a fin for mine but didn't do so well I would love to get one !!!!!


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[SINicallyTwisted]

Totally I tried so hard to make a fin for mine but didn't do so well I would love to get one !!!!!


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This is exactly how the conversation for this whole idea began! A statement very similar to this! LOL

I have friends that want to make their own tails and are a bit intimidated since they've never made one before. As stated to me, they felt making fins was even harder. Thus making this entire idea come to light. I would love to help out fellow fabric tail wearers any way I can! I think that I would sell them in pairs instead of individually, as well as including instructions. :)

[Mermaid Aria]

That would be amazing! Especially since I don't have much sewing experience

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[SINicallyTwisted]

That would be amazing! Especially since I don't have much sewing experience

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Sewing experience was another point made to me during various conversations about this which is why I would include instructions. There has also been talk about doing tutorial type videos on how to attach them since some people prefer visual guidance over reading instructions. [emoji4]


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[KaraLenae]

What fantastic designs!! I jumped the gun and did a silicone tail as my first. I REALLY wished I had spent the time researching fabric tails. There are some really amazing designs out there -such as yours! I should be in the final painting stage of my tail in the next few weeks. Best of luck to you! I look forward to see what you create!!

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

[Merman Andrew]

I think as with anything, having a point of difference with what you sell will make all the difference. Therefore if you do go down the path of being a fabric tail designer (and great idea by the way!) consider what you will do differently to other fabric tail manufacturers out there. I think offering custom designs/patterns is a good start! Using quality/speciality fabrics is something that I would be looking for because if it was just a plain looking fabric I would be more inclined to make it myself.

As for fins, if you could make a stiff dorsal fin that stuck up in the air I would be interested! And if you could simulate the look of the smaller fins you typically see on silicone tails that would be really awesome too!

Something to consider as well when making full tails is what monofin do you want to put in it, or if you just want to make skins that are compatible with a particular monofin. From a cost perspective you probably want to go with a monofin shape that is common, and you can purchase in bulk from the manufacturer at a discount (if you include the monofin as part of the tail). Some tail manufacturers who make their own monofins such as fin fun may be unwilling to do that, so that might limit which momofins you can use.

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[Sulis the Siren]

Really love the idea and the design. I am thinking about making a fabric tail as well so it would be just what I need :thumbs-up:

[SINicallyTwisted]

I think as with anything, having a point of difference with what you sell will make all the difference. Therefore if you do go down the path of being a fabric tail designer (and great idea by the way!) consider what you will do differently to other fabric tail manufacturers out there. I think offering custom designs/patterns is a good start! Using quality/speciality fabrics is something that I would be looking for because if it was just a plain looking fabric I would be more inclined to make it myself.

As for fins, if you could make a stiff dorsal fin that stuck up in the air I would be interested! And if you could simulate the look of the smaller fins you typically see on silicone tails that would be really awesome too!

Something to consider as well when making full tails is what monofin do you want to put in it, or if you just want to make skins that are compatible with a particular monofin. From a cost perspective you probably want to go with a monofin shape that is common, and you can purchase in bulk from the manufacturer at a discount (if you include the monofin as part of the tail). Some tail manufacturers who make their own monofins such as fin fun may be unwilling to do that, so that might limit which momofins you can use.

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Fins only. Not entire tails. The idea is to help those that have fabric tails add fins to their tails.
People could choose what kind of fin they want for their tails, I create it for them and they would add the fins to their tails.

[SINicallyTwisted]

I created an album to show off 4 fin designs. I might come up with more as this progresses but these 4 will do for now.
http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=1642

I'm thinking that people could pick a fin design and color it to give me an idea of what they would like for fins.
Would that be workable?

I'm also thinking that after August, I may considering finding a tester but I'll keep you posted. ;)