Different Ways for Sequin Tails Thread

[Mermaid Caspiana]

So, as some may know, I made my first neoprene-sequin tail last summer. (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?7346-Another-One-of-Caspi-s-Tail-Things)
After a trip to the beach, and a couple swims, I'm having issues. You see, I used E6000 to attach the sequins since I don't have the patience, nor time at the time I was making this, deadline and all lol, for hand-sewing them on since it was the entire tail. Don't get me wrong... the E6000 worked wonders and I've had only few fatalities when it comes to sequins coming off because of my gluing. But the sequins I used, the iridescent 12mm shells from Cartwrights, have this thin layer of metallic backing glued to them to make them shiny. There lies my problem. THAT glue is what's failing me. And after putting in so much work, time, money, and effort, it's kind of disheartening to see dozens of sequins trying to fall of and the E6000 that happens to be touching the actual plastic of the sequin, keeping them on.
I tried going back and sewing them on, for added support, to no prevail. I just can't manage, between my patience, and the fact that it's really hard to get the needle through the hole of the sequin, the E6000 layer, and then neoprene, to just come back up and such. I got one small row, and gave up. I know that sounds bad, but it's simply awful and I can't imagine going down my entire tail, especially with my big butt. lol
So I thought of this...
What if I brushed/smoothed on a think layer of clear, liquid latex overtop of my sequin job?
I looked tonight and found this: http://www.trendyhalloween.com/Clear-Liquid-Zombie-Latex-16oz-P22959.aspx?afid=4&gclid=Cj0KEQjwv467BRCbkMvs5O3kioUBEiQAGDZHLyUtyLon L81vpgYvo7ALo9gocgpkps7gnxYsufH-FtUaAhvo8P8HAQ#.V2Tqt4-cGUk
It seems to be a good deal and what I'm looking for... I think... But I just need advice to anyone who's worked with sequins and/or latex. Is there anything besides sewing I can do to fix this problem? I also sprayed a coat of spray-on-E6000 last year before the first swim thinking it would seal it. Nope. So not that.
Help!!! <3 <3 <3

[Mermaid Mystery]

please let me know how it goes! I'm thinking of gluing a sequin tail because I have no patience and I'm terrible at sewing.

[Mermaid Caspiana]

please let me know how it goes! I'm thinking of gluing a sequin tail because I have no patience and I'm terrible at sewing.
Mystery! Hi! Thanks to another mer on here, I'll have to get her name later, I found and bought some clear, silicone caulking and am using it to put a thin coating over my sequins. I'm going to finish tomorrow and test Saturday, so I'll let you know how it hold up. But from what the other mer has said it works great and so far it's working wonders for me! :)
Once I finish and test, I'm actually going to offer to sell tails. :) Obviously they're neoprene, sequin, silicone hybrids lol. And custom. Once I open my etsy shop (with accessories, tops, art, and custom Lexan monofins too), I think I'll start commissioning. <3 Just wanted to let you know both things. ;)
Here are pictures of the front and back of my tail. I have the from all done (sans side fins) and the back of the fluke done as of tonight. :)
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[Mermaid Caspiana]

It's great because (especially since I'm doing it pretty thin), it's almost perfectly clear so you can still see the details in the sequins. I mean I'm adding irridencent glitter to it as I go so there's that. But I love it so much. <3

[Lilyrose Fish]

I am so glad this is working. Please let us know how it holds up after swimming. Also I would be curious to know if adding the silicone reduces the drag of the sequins when swimming or increases the drag. Would you say sequins create drag when swimming?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Caspiana]

I am so glad this is working. Please let us know how it holds up after swimming. Also I would be curious to know if adding the silicone reduces the drag of the sequins when swimming or increases the drag. Would you say sequins create drag when swimming?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
It's holding up great! :) a few little places where I must have gotten it too thin (I did it pretty thin overall but still lol) have little tears that are barely noticeable and won't hurt what I was trying to accomplish which was to keep my sequins on. :)
i didn't really think the sequins caused much drag, because I placed them like a fish would have its scales, so I think it's kind of streamline (although my extra find cause a little and I kinda wish I didn't have them sometimes but I still like them so oh well. Lol). And the silicone made it heavier out of water, but I don't personally think it changed its drag much if at all. ;) I have a livestream video on my Facebook if you want to check it out. It's pretty short and I hope to get more soon. But it's there. Haha

[Mermaid Caspiana]

I'm actually hoping to start commissioning as soon as I get my Esty shop up and running. ;)

[KateyMermaid]

Caspiana-- this is a brilliant solution! Love the look of your tail. Depending on your commission price I might be interested. I also might try this technique myself. I tried sewing sequins on an old fish butts tail (the latex peeled from the neoprene, thought sequins might revive it) but I had the same issues. No patience and way too hard to get the needle through latex and neoprene.
I might try your technique if I decide to make another tail.

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Caspiana-- this is a brilliant solution! Love the look of your tail. Depending on your commission price I might be interested. I also might try this technique myself. I tried sewing sequins on an old fish butts tail (the latex peeled from the neoprene, thought sequins might revive it) but I had the same issues. No patience and way too hard to get the needle through latex and neoprene.
I might try your technique if I decide to make another tail.
Thank you Katey! :) I have to give inspiration credit to Mermaid Mazu, her tail process was how I found this silicone. Haha ;)
Oh wow! That's awesome! I actually have a friend of mine (a GISHWHES [the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen... Misha Collins of Supernatural created it with Random Acts Charity lol] team member) who is also starting the design process with me as it will be her graduation gift to herself lol. :)
I think I'm starting at $600 for a basic tail, custom design, monofin shape (cause that's custom designed and formed with Lexan like mine), and up to 3 colors. Extra fins, fading waistline, extra colors, extra large monofin, sparkles, vinyl, and any other extra stuff you might have in mind, lol, are extra, some not by much, but still. ;) I'm also going to sell solitary monofins, tops, accessories, and such on Etsy once I get it up and going. :) The price is to cover costs and stuff and then includes labor because the majority of it is the long sequinning process. I'd really love to make a fellow mer a tail! :) I'd probably die. Hahaha
By the way I love your silicone tail in your profile. :)

[Mermaid Caspiana]

SO exciting news! :) Since CC's basically finished, still need to pin my mom down to help bring in the waistline, lol, I've had two photoshoots in the past two weeks! =D One here at home in my pool and one at Myrtle Beach. :) The beach one's are still in processing, but here are the ones from about two weeks ago. <3
http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=1688

[Mermaid Caspiana]

I am so glad this is working. Please let us know how it holds up after swimming. Also I would be curious to know if adding the silicone reduces the drag of the sequins when swimming or increases the drag. Would you say sequins create drag when swimming?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Just got the pictures from my beach photoshoot back and they're in my albums on my page. :) They just go to show how well this is holding up. I love it. I'd love to make one for you if you're able to. <3