Getting Dejected...

[theMerFanc]

So after having a monofin for like seven months and not being able to use it, I finally went to the pool and really fell in love with it. I purchased a 10 swim membership for the discount rate and have now been out in it twice. I went and purchased material to make a fabric tail and got started right away. Well I cut down my monofin to shape and cut out the fabric pieces then went on a camping event vacation thingie for three days. When I left I was kind of sad because I really wanted to finish and go swimming again. Well, when I got back from the event, I sewed my fins on and sewed the tail pieces together and slipped the fin in and there are a few problems with it.

For one, it isn't tight around the ankles at all and it looks really bad. But if I try to tighten it up at all, the clasps and straps from the fin will show through the fabric. Second, while it fits really nicely around my knees and thighs, somehow around my waist it got WAY to big and I can't figure out where is best to cut it or how my pattern was so off. Third, the bottom edge of the tail is not flat so I sewed the bottum and decided to leave part of the side unsewn for getting the fin in and out and dear gods does it look seriously crappy. Not to mention I am really unhappy with how the bottom edge turned out. My dremmel batteries won't charge so I can't really sand the cut edges of my fin well and some of the side fins I added look really freaking terrible but I did the zigzag stitch and will literally cry if I have to seamrip them out.

I have lost all will to finish and I feel like swimming in the fin without the tail at this point would make me a failure and I just...GAH *cries quietly*

[theMerFanc]

Also, my machine is doing this and I can't figure out why >.< The picture is really hard to see because I have to use the front facing selfie camera on my ipad witha busted screen and it's a dark area with green thread on green fabric but...

38685

Esetially it is supposed to be zigzag stitch but it's coming out like:
---^^^^^^^^^--^^^----^^^^^^^---^^^^^^-----------^^^----^^^^^^^^

[Lili]

Okay, my machine used to do that, what I found out was it was just dirty inside (my machine is over 30 years old) now that solved my problem: I just took it apart and cleaned out all the dust, I also oiled it so it works better, but if I were you, I'd check that you don't have the settings set too tight, I'm assuming you're using spandex, in which case go slowly with your machine. If that doesn't help, I hope someone else has better suggestions then :/ I totally understand the frustration though, I've been there, you'll get through it, it helps me to just take a break for a little bit usually and then go back to it.

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[Lili]

Also, are you using regular thread or the kind that has a bit of stretch to it?

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[theMerFanc]

It doesn't have any stretch. My Joanns only had black and white elastic thread and it was like $5 for a teeny amount >.<

I just thought it was super weird because it doesn't have any issues with any of the other stitch types.

[Lili]

Hmm..that could be a problem, maybe try looking online for some, I'm thinking that could help too, as far as the size problem, I would put it on inside out and either get someone to help you pin it so it fits correctly or do it yourself, it's easier to get help though especially with the ankles

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[Dancing Fish]

My machine skips stitches like that too! SO ANNOYING!!! I tried having it cleaned but it didn't help. I read that the problem is that the needle isn't going down through the fabric far enough to catch the bobbin thread. It's the cheapest model of sewing machine they had at the time so that's probably why....but using a spandex needle and also going slow helped a little bit. There are also special needles to use if you're working with spandex that has foil dots glued to it.
That said, thin neoprene fabric from Mood Fabrics (only a little more expensive than spandex, though shipping SUCKS) might help with the straps showing through, and my machine liked it A LOT better than spandex. I have no issues with the skipping stitches with the neoprene. Weird!

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

I worried about the straps and things showing at the ankles on a fabric tail with my Wave. I spent time pondering a foam or thicker fabric cover over it to help but ended up getting a new monofin with my finfun. The Wave/Rapid series is very tricky to make tails with in my experience, something that I sort of wish was more widely known. Cuz there's the shape issue (cutting it, extending it, all that), the big lines that stick out of it that can play to your advantage or disadvantage, then of course the ankle straps that show and slip.

I agree that neoprene may be the way to go but I understand working with what you've got too! I also agree with cleaning the machine and going slooooow, sometimes you have to suck it up and cry while you seam rip that zigzag, I did it recently myself on a big pair of faux fur faun pants so you can imagine the pain there.

Maybe you could show us the tail all laid out to see the shape problems you're having? I fully admit I jack up pattern sizes all the time even with a few costumes under my belt, don't feel bad about the waist not fitting, you can make darts or even use it as an oppertunity to put in some fins or especially a dorsal! Then you can use them to conceal taking in all that. Stella the Siren has a lovely fabric tail making YouTube video with lots of fins and a big dorsal.

Excuse the wall of text, I just really know that place you're coming from of being exhausted from a sewing project and crying over fabric. :P You can do it!

[Lili]

Oh I just remembered, another thing I noticed when I took my sewing machine apart is that the slot where the bottom bobbin goes into came loose, which is what kept screwing with the sewing process, I would suggest just taking it apart and really looking into it, your machine is most likely newer so you'll have better luck finding help online (via youtube) the way my machine is designed is apparently different than they do it nowadays, I was only able to find one picture of the inside of it online, and no help so i kind of had to figure it out on my own. You can do it, don't worry [emoji14] just takes a bit of patience and research

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[Lili]

My machine skips stitches like that too! SO ANNOYING!!! I tried having it cleaned but it didn't help. I read that the problem is that the needle isn't going down through the fabric far enough to catch the bobbin thread. It's the cheapest model of sewing machine they had at the time so that's probably why....but using a spandex needle and also going slow helped a little bit. There are also special needles to use if you're working with spandex that has foil dots glued to it.
That said, thin neoprene fabric from Mood Fabrics (only a little more expensive than spandex, though shipping SUCKS) might help with the straps showing through, and my machine liked it A LOT better than spandex. I have no issues with the skipping stitches with the neoprene. Weird!
Yeah that's the reason why I chose to go with neoprene...although I'm pretty sure I bought neoprin, I am sequining it using e6000 so I'm thinking this tail should last, it's losing its elasticity as I sequin it. But it's definitely A LOT easier to sew that

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[Dancing Fish]

Oh! I also just remembered: if you sew spandex, it helps to get a "walking presser foot" attachment. The regular presser foot exerts different pressures on the top and bottom fabric, so it has a tendency to stretch out the spandex unevenly when you sew. The walking presser foot somehow ensures that the top and bottom fabrics are fed through evenly, reducing puckering. It made a huge difference in my sewing when I was working with spandex and other stretchy knits. Though I still had a problem with the skipped stitches now and then while using it, they weren't as bad. I just wanted to mention that. :)

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

Spandex can be very tricky to sew. I always try to stretch it as I go, to try and prevent puckering. Things that can cause skipped stitches include dull needles, a dirty machine that needs cleaning, a bobbin in backwards, or even just the tension adjustment being off.