Dorsal Fins: Yae or Nae?

[MeliPixie]

I've been waffling back and forth on the idea of dorsal fins. The dorsals I'm referring to are the ones that run a good length of the tail and have lots of short rays and very thin membrane between.

Myself I think they are beautiful and add personality to the tail! But, at least in my opinion, they make it look a little less natural, at least for what a mermaid might evolve to need. To my knowledge (which admittedly is limited so please correct me if I'm wrong) fish have dorsal fins mostly because their tail moves side to side. On a tail that moves up and down, it seems to fold and bend unnaturally. And I know dolphins have smaller dorsal fins, but that is not the type I'm talking about.

So how do you all feel about these long, fish-like dorsal fins? Do you like/love them, or do you dislike/hate them? Are you neutral? I'd love to hear reasons too please! Have a great evening (US time anyway) everyone and I'll be back after work!

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[Misty Lau]

Well... I personally like them if they bend naturally, and are actually membrane looking. If they actually belong on the fish the mermaid is. XD

[Mermaid Lanier]

I'm a sucker for a dorsal fin. They look so pretty on a tail.

But you're right about swmming; it can look out of place with a dolphin kick. I really love Stella the Siren's fins on fabric tails. The organza is cut short enough and flows well enough that it looks more natural. But I've yet to see a silicone tail that looks natural with a dorsal fin. *insert sad mer sighs*

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I LOVE dorsal fins! I've even sewn them into my fish suits (one piece swimsuits)!

So that my tails and swimmers match.

[MeliPixie]

I agree with you guys in that I do love them aesthetically <3 I just wish they could look a bit more natural for myself, the tail I'm designing is after a koi fish and a dorsal fin could just MAKE it, you know? But I'd rather not use one because of the simple fact of it being evolutionarily unnecessary and unnatural. I'm very scientifically oriented and it would ruin the tail for me, in my heart :(

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[Mermaid Tula]

I did a row of shark like fins down the back for my dorsals. I'm debating on doing something similar on my new tail, or possibly doing the longer dorsals with the thin membranes.

[MeliPixie]

I did a row of shark like fins down the back for my dorsals. I'm debating on doing something similar on my new tail, or possibly doing the longer dorsals with the thin membranes.
Ooh, that sounds awesome! Have you posted any pics around here? I'm still learning how to navigate ^^;

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[Mermaid Tula]

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?5304-Tula-s-Tail!&p=75449&viewfull=1#post75449

Here's the post that has pictures of my tail ^__^

[Mermaid Tula]

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?4667-Comatose_Agel-s-First-Tail-Thread&p=114569&viewfull=1#post114569

Also here's the video. You can kind of see how the dorsals stand when I move.

[MeliPixie]

Thanks for sharing, those look so cute!

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[Mermaid Tula]

Thanks. I love my Reptar, but she's going into retirement. Hopefully this next tail will have the dorsals lined up a little bit better ^___^

[MeliPixie]

Practice makes perfect! ^_^

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[MermaidLiara]

So far, I have not seen a dorsal fin that I personally like. My dream silicone tail does not have a dorsal fin. They just look too 'rough', unelegant and distract too much from the elegance of a tail. Just my opinion!

I hope someday a tailmaker will design some dorsal fins that no one has seen before, maybe I just need to see a different kind of dorsal fin to like it!

[MeliPixie]

Thanks. I love my Reptar, but she's going into retirement. Hopefully this next tail will have the dorsals lined up a little bit better ^___^
May I suggest this time, perhaps making the back half of the tail two pieces (left and right) and sewing the dorsal fins into the seam? That will help keep them aligned :) Just don't forget to measure in a seam allowance in the middle there!

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[MeliPixie]

So far, I have not seen a dorsal fin that I personally like. My dream silicone tail does not have a dorsal fin. They just look too 'rough', unelegant and distract too much from the elegance of a tail. Just my opinion!

I hope someday a tailmaker will design some dorsal fins that no one has seen before, maybe I just need to see a different kind of dorsal fin to like it!
I'm hoping the same, myself. Maybe someday <3 (Sorry for the double post, I didn't see this before.)

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[Mermaid Tula]

May I suggest this time, perhaps making the back half of the tail two pieces (left and right) and sewing the dorsal fins into the seam? That will help keep them aligned :) Just don't forget to measure in a seam allowance in the middle there!

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

That's a good idea. It all depends on which fabric and techniques I'll be using. I've been thinking about coating the fabric in silicone

[MeliPixie]

That's a good idea. It all depends on which fabric and techniques I'll be using. I've been thinking about coating the fabric in silicone
Oh, that'll be interesting!

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[Mermaid Tula]

I got the idea from a few places, but this thread about silicone and fabric fins by Moonflower really kicked me into gear http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1610-Silicone-amp-Fabric-fins-Progress-pictures&highlight=moonflower

[Mermaid Marius]

I'm not a fan of them. I think they can look stunning in the water, but I'd never intentionally design a tail with one. I find that the full dorsals, the kind that run most of the length of the tail, highlight the mer's break at their knees whilst swimming and detract from the believability of the mer. They can also be EXTREMELY uncomfortable to sit on if they're poured thick, which would make gigs that are upwards of 1.5 hours a pain.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

I got the idea from a few places, but this thread about silicone and fabric fins by Moonflower really kicked me into gear http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1610-Silicone-amp-Fabric-fins-Progress-pictures&highlight=moonflower
Wow, that's incredible! Such ingenuity!

I'm not a fan of them. I think they can look stunning in the water, but I'd never intentionally design a tail with one. I find that the full dorsals, the kind that run most of the length of the tail, highlight the mer's break at their knees whilst swimming and detract from the believability of the mer. They can also be EXTREMELY uncomfortable to sit on if they're poured thick, which would make gigs that are upwards of 1.5 hours a pain.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
That's a good point about the knee break, that's really where the realism starts to crack. And I never even thought about sitting in the tail, that would be so uncomfortable!

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

I plan to try and sew some into my old tail once i get my new one on friday


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

I plan to try and sew some into my old tail once i get my new one on friday


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'd love to know how that goes :)

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

Haha, i gotta find water proof fabrics and materials to make the dorsals from


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

Hmmm, can't help you there. I have zero experience in this area XD

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

XD my mom is taking me to jo-anns to buy some water proof fabric soon:3


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Tula]

Haha, i gotta find water proof fabrics and materials to make the dorsals from


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

At Joann Fabrics they're called Performance fabrics. 4 way stretch is best for tails in my opinion

[thatotakugalaxy]

At Joann Fabrics they're called Performance fabrics. 4 way stretch is best for tails in my opinion

Ohhhhh! Ok:3 thanks tula!;D

[MeliPixie]

XD my mom is taking me to jo-anns to buy some water proof fabric soon:3


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Cool! If you think of it I'd love to know how it turns out. :D

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

I can get a pic of the current tail


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thatotakugalaxy]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/2980d178054597ccffb2403f94554ff2.jpg theres alot of trash on my floor xD we just moved in.. ignore da trash


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

No worries, we moved in almost a year ago and still aren't organized XD Is that a FinFun? May I ask what the new tail will be?

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

It is finfun! I cant afford alot of tails, but i did chores in one day and got enough for this and a water fitness band, Both come on friday:3 https://www.amazon.com/Play-Tailor-Swimmable-Swimsuit-Swimming/dp/B01LZ3DN3N/ref=lp_15825585011_1_2?srs=15825585011&ie=UTF8&qid=1487668502&sr=8-2&th=1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

Oh, so you went with that one after all? It's pretty ^_^ Hope the FinFun monofin fits! <3

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

Thanks! Im just hoping i can fit my legs in xD


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thatotakugalaxy]

Btw, what tails do you have pixie?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

I don't have one just yet. I'm saving up for a custom size FinFun but money is VERY tight right now XD

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

O: Good luck!!! I hope you get the tail:)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

Thanks! I have been trying to set money aside but right now the bills are too important. But I ran across another fabric tail company that has a koi tail, if I can get that one I'll probably just get a FinFun monofin and get the koi tailskin from the other company. Whatever that company was ^^; It was either Suntails or Magic Tails. Hmmm. But whatever the company was I don't like the monofins that only have heel straps, you know?

Edit: thanks for following ^_^

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

Yeah i dont like those, they always leave bumps or rashes :-; if it helps, i set aside a friday for a bakesale, spent 20 dollars on tons of brownie and cake things, made them and i had 200 brownies at the end from asking my friends to my parents for brownie mix xD i sold them for 2 dollars each, cake slices were $6, and put a little sign with pictures up saying 'all money goes to helping me buy my mermaid tail!' And i raised about
350

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

Wow that's a great idea! I love baking! Unfortunately sales are against HOA policy in the complex where I live. I do have an Etsy where I sell duct tape crafts and jewelry, but I've sold 2 items since I opened. One of which was to my sister. ^^;

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

Awww;-; I recommend getting it out there, post it EVERYWHERE! It helps in the long run:D


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

I have it linked to most of my social media and forum accounts, but I'm so new here I just haven't had the chance. I work a lot lately, so hopefully it'll pay off soon!

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

Well i wish you luck!:D


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

Thank you! ^_^

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

Sadly, i must be going now, but i hope to see you soon! PM Me sometime:3


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

Will do, have a great night! :)

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

You too! Sleep well:3


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thatotakugalaxy]

Its 4am for me xD


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

Wow that's late. I'm guessing east coast US? Get some sleep silly! XD Goodnight!

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[thatotakugalaxy]

Yup! Im in florida;3 lol im going to sleep right as i finish my movie xD


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Alaw ferch Tonnau]

I like dorsal fins in theory and from a distance they do look nice.The thing I don't like about dorsal fins is that they have to be attached over scales which doesn't look very realistic. I know it would be difficult to make the scales stop against the fin like on a real fish because they are larger in proportion.

[MeliPixie]

Hm, I've never had the opportunity to see the attachment zones, as it were, up close, so I didn't know about that. I wonder if tailmakers could make a designated space where the scales stop, attach the fin, and then lay a few scales on top of the silicone blobs? Lol am I making sense? Like I said I've never seen it so I'm guessing here 😂

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hm, I've never had the opportunity to see the attachment zones, as it were, up close, so I didn't know about that. I wonder if tailmakers could make a designated space where the scales stop, attach the fin, and then lay a few scales on top of the silicone blobs? Lol am I making sense? Like I said I've never seen it so I'm guessing here 

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android
I've definitely seen silicone tails with smooth seams like that :) Most silicone dorsals are actually attached to the inside of the tail, by cutting through the silicone on the back. Just gluing it on top would make it very easy to tear off!

As far as evolution goes, Mermaids are magic, they can have whatever they want on their tails ;). Another option could be long lateral fins down the sides of the tail, if youre concerned with evolution. think halibut!

[Misty Lau]

For me, if you've perfected your dolphin kick, it your power will not be in your knees, but in your chest and hips. If you're doing a "correct" dolphin kick, the knees will hardly bend. For me, that's enough to make dorsals COMPLETELY worth it, and it makes you look even more realistic since there's no knee break!

[Mermaid Lanier]

Good point, Misty Lau! And for those who haven't perfected the dolphin kick, dorsal fins that stay closer to your butt than to your knees also helps. Those look really epic.

Question: Do they have the tendency to tear more than fins in other places?

[MeliPixie]

As far as evolution goes, Mermaids are magic, they can have whatever they want on their tails ;). Another option could be long lateral fins down the sides of the tail, if youre concerned with evolution. think halibut!

For myself I think very scientifically (to the point of annoying even myself) so to me mermaids must have come from somewhere concrete, not mythological. Then again for some reason I also think they would have magical powers, so wtf brain 😂

For me, if you've perfected your dolphin kick, it your power will not be in your knees, but in your chest and hips. If you're doing a "correct" dolphin kick, the knees will hardly bend. For me, that's enough to make dorsals COMPLETELY worth it, and it makes you look even more realistic since there's no knee break!

This is something I didn't think about. I'm sorta training alone and don't have access to underwater cameras or anything so I have to guess whether my form is correct. I never realized bending the knees was wrong because many mers do it in their videos.

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android

[Mermaid Marius]

For me, if you've perfected your dolphin kick, it your power will not be in your knees, but in your chest and hips. If you're doing a "correct" dolphin kick, the knees will hardly bend. For me, that's enough to make dorsals COMPLETELY worth it, and it makes you look even more realistic since there's no knee break!
This may be true for straight swimming. But if a mer decides to do a turn or intricate tricks that require leg bending, the dorsal will highlight it

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[MeliPixie]

Definitely, and what mer doesn't eventually wanna do tricks, right??? :D

Sent from my Shellphone using Tapatalk for Android