Aurora' First Tail: Silver, Black and Purple

[The Nerdmaid]

So I've finally got all the materials for my first tail! I'm really hoping I can get it done in the next two weeks so I can have it ready for a cottage weekend, but we'll see what I have time for, lol. The body will be pretty simple, just some holographic spandex, but I'm going a bit more complicated for the fluke, since I want a good mermaid shape but don't want to alter the monofin itself.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160704/ebd2080270368b4ee90cc0a2e3e39813.jpg

I know the holographic foil won't last that long but it'll be pretty while it does, and I already have plans for a more elaborate neoprene tail.

This is the design for the fluke. The black lines will be decorative black stitching, and the grey ones will either be grey or purple. Their purpose it to hold zipties in place like boning, helping extend the fluke

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160704/e11f76dd58906152eafb2cf2ffafb92f.jpg

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[Mermaid Russet]

This is going to be so cool!! I love the fin design!!

[The Nerdmaid]

This is going to be so cool!! I love the fin design!!
Thanks! I'm pretty excited about it. This is an early rough idea of the look I wanted for the fluke and side fins, which I've since simplified and removed the green.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160704/dc2eea46d0159e97cd7051064fc0a4f2.jpg

I might do something closer to it for a silicone tail one day. I'm attempting to get the purple gradient look on my fabric fins by overlapping layers of organza over silver lamé.

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[The Nerdmaid]

Yaaaay, done the pattern for the body. Just need to make a little pattern for my side fins and I'll be good to go!

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160705/672937d0fb858c9eaa05ca7ee42c60c3.jpg

I've decided to make the tail just below the belly button rather than high waist. I'm a little worried about how this will hold up, but high waisted stuff is suuuuper unflattering on me. If it slips down too much I might try adding some illusion netting that goes up higher.

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[mermaid mazu]

I agree with the high waisted look. I made my neoprene high waisted for butt coverage purposes but then I gathered and folded the center of the front and stitched it to create the V look

[The Nerdmaid]

So I got super sidetracked and busy, but I'm finally getting back to work on the tail. I finished my side fin pattern, and have all my pieces cut out.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160815/5ab124fcea310d7fd5578858621c1b79.jpg

All together, the fluke will be 10 different layers of material, because I can't ever make life easy for myself, lol.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160815/b2249e5929231cb47954faa80f211b40.jpg

Each side has two pieces of silver lamé, 2 different shaped layers of purple organza, and one top layer of black organza, the side fins are a similar set up, but less layers because I don't have to hide a fin inside.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160815/0e8aebf925cbba3af61a372855004542.jpg

I've marked out where all the stitching will go in white watercolour pencil. It's very handy for stuff like this, and wears off less easily than tailor's chalk.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160815/ca1064667af5d69611a6fcaaf0659f29.jpg

Now I just need to sew it all together!

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[theMerFanc]

oooooooooooooo aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny

[The Nerdmaid]

I've started sewing in the veins, and I tested out a couple bits of "boning" in the channels, and I'm pretty happy with my decision to extend the fin this way.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160818/6a69ee2948bae5f91c8f143d01b16c9c.jpg
I'm using topstitching thread to get nice clear lines, but that thick of a thread really isn't intended for use on organza, so it's not without issues. Ultimately, I think the overall effect will still be good, even if up close the stitching isn't as clean as I would like, ie. a bit of wonky tension and puckering.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160818/ef430bfd3ba6ee66f51c473370123789.jpg

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[Lilyrose Fish]

I love your concept and the creative execution of your design.

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[The Nerdmaid]

I love your concept and the creative execution of your design.

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Thanks!

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[The Nerdmaid]

It's still not done but the ribs are shaping up nicely. It should give it a pretty 3 dimensional look.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160823/42da1f6b151d502b2c2ca7c7bd79d2ca.jpg

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[moniee]

This is looking amazing! I love using the giant cable ties for craft reasons, they work well as bodice boning as well! I bet it moves wonderfully under water *.*

[The Nerdmaid]

Yeah I got the idea from mernetwork, I'd never used them before but they're great! I can't stop thinking about all the ways I could incorporate them into costumes. I'd love to put them in bat wings or something.

This is looking amazing! I love using the giant cable ties for craft reasons, they work well as bodice boning as well! I bet it moves wonderfully under water *.*


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[Lili]

Oh wow I love this, I cannot wait to see it done

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[Mermaid Summerlilly]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160815/b2249e5929231cb47954faa80f211b40.jpg

Those slippers look really comfy.

P.S. nice design!

[The Nerdmaid]

Well I keep putting things aside and coming back to them, but I'm still making a bit of progress. I'm just about ready to attach the fins to the body.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160911/f640958d322125a53306faf3df572c22.jpg

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[Mermaid Summerlilly]

yayyy

[The Nerdmaid]

Back to it! Leaving for a major trip soon, it's finally motivating me to finish :) Had forgotten about the side fins but herehttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161029/9689a273f192066d0802aa5b3af5c088.jpg they are!


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[The Nerdmaid]

Omigosh attaching the fin to the tail body was a pain in the ass. I had to handsew that tight little curve but it looks good finally
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161029/154a57dfef3dc46837112d40e5cb268c.jpg

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[Mermaid Mia]

Looking great!!


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[LouLouBelle]

This is looking fantastic! I really love those fins - they look like big exotic plant leaves.


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[Mermaid AshleyML]

Beautiful I love the little fins❤️


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[readthewind]

Have you any completed photos of this one?