Mermaid Tula's 2nd tail adventure! Cosmic Koi!

[Mermaid Tula]

I'm so excited! I just bought fabric for my second tail. The best description of it that I can think of is Cosmic Koi. The fabric is called Space foil or something like that straight off the bolt. I just need to get the silicone, make a body dummy, and steal/borrow my mum's sewing machine since mine does not like stretch fabric.

[Mermaid Tula]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170225/33e59849f1e1b73a82b50c00113079f5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170225/6d2326a6665eabba9a1f3da840ff8246.jpg

Couple of sneak peeks of my fabric
Second picture is of a sheer fabric over the first fabric
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[Rebela Hunter]

I really dig that fabric! :D
I can't wait to see some more progress !!! <3

[Mermaid Tula]

It was one of three choices I gave my self. Unfortunately, after I looked at my first and second choice (same type of fabric only slightly different colors) I found that they were the wrong type for making a tail. Barely any stretch. This one, however is pretty stretchy. It's not 4 way stretch, but it's close to my old tails fabric. I plan on coating it in silicone so that A: it will seal in the sparkly stuff and B: it feels more realistic.

[Mermaid Aria]

So pretty! Can't wait to see it! 😊

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[Slim]

That looks great

[Mermaid Tula]

I'm pretty excited! I've got to figure out my monofin strap problem before I can really get to work on the body of the tail. I'm hoping to pick up silicone tomorrow after work, or order it off the internet soon.

[Nerdmaid Faith]

Hello I am all for this tail! Galaxy mermaid is very much my aesthetic.

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[MeliPixie]

Love this idea! That fabric is gorgeous!

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[Mermaid Tula]

Thanks! Im super excited. I got my silicone and im going to make my body double tomorrow hopefully

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[Mermaid Tula]

So I did some testing tonight. I took a small piece of my fabric and smeared a bit of silicone caulk onto it. I did a thin coat to start out with. I'm also going to do a second swatch that is thicker, and also see how well the caulk will adhere to itself.

[Ilyena]

What does your machine do when it sews the stretch fabric?

[Mermaid Tula]

Im not sure quite yet. Im going to be borrowing my mums brand new sewing machine. My old one did an ok job even though occasionally it did try to eat the fabric

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[Ilyena]

What does your machine do when it sews the stretch fabric?


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[Ilyena]

I have no idea why that happened. If you put a strip of paper under the fabric where the needle goes through it stops most of the problems. Yes you end up with paper where all the stitching is but it comes off easily with a little water.

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[MeliPixie]

I have no idea why that happened. If you put a strip of paper under the fabric where the needle goes through it stops most of the problems. Yes you end up with paper where all the stitching is but it comes off easily with a little water.

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You could also use a wash-away stabilizer or interfacing :)

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[Ilyena]

That too!!, but I didn't have any so improvisation!!!

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[Mermaid Tula]

Oh those are some great ideas. Ill check into finding some interfacing or paper.

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[Mermaid Tula]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170305/17917df43903e4b47c2109a663678ac8.jpg
With flash
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170305/712fcca941b28ba0b5e2fbed4f66d47c.jpg
Without flash.

Hip fins in the works! 2 layers of the iridescent fabric, zip ties for boning, and silicone.

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[MeliPixie]

Wow great progress so far, love how the rainbow shows through <3

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[Mermaid Tula]

Im having a hard time not messing with it! I want to work on the other side but its not cured yet

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[Mermaid Tula]

Wow great progress so far, love how the rainbow shows through <3

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💜💜 thanks!

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[MeliPixie]

Im having a hard time not messing with it! I want to work on the other side but its not cured yet

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Resist the urge! You can do it!

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[Mermaid Tula]

Resist the urge! You can do it!

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I did lift it a bit to find the underside still gooey so i put it away lol

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[MeliPixie]

[emoji23]

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[Mermaid Tula]

So i did a dumb. I forgot to leave fabric where i would attach it to the tail. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170306/659f50c235177e5af9ee4f8de7a2a04e.jpg where im holding it is where i need to attach it 😨 well, this is a prototype i suppose lol 😅😅

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[MeliPixie]

Aw, oh no! Well live and learn ;) You got it next time!

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[Mermaid Tula]

Aw, oh no! Well live and learn ;) You got it next time!

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[emoji5] yup! After im done eating, im going to start on my fins properly Lol

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[Agent Dragon]

I was actually thinking of making a galaxy mermaid tail for myself before I saw this thread, but mine would probably be a sequin tail. I can't wait to see how yours turns out!


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[Mermaid Tula]

I was actually thinking of making a galaxy mermaid tail for myself before I saw this thread, but mine would probably be a sequin tail. I can't wait to see how yours turns out!


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Awesome! I can't wait to see yours!

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[Mermaid Tula]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170307/f7b8ebff78325ea9092d76d410a75f23.jpg new hip fins with extra fabric to attach.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170307/50c64f5ea94de00f8409dc023101026a.jpg heel fins

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[MeliPixie]

So pretty!

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[Mermaid Tula]

So pretty!

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Thank you! Im going to start on the dorsal design tonight. Im also hoping to get my body dummy made too

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[MeliPixie]

How are you constructing your dummy again?

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[Mermaid Tula]

How are you constructing your dummy again?

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Duct tape and a couple of garbage bags. Once i have the form I'll stuff it with towels

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[MeliPixie]

Good idea :) The last time I saw someone's homemade dummy, the feet were at a 90 degree angle to the legs, like a regular standing position. Does that actually work or should they have pointed their toes...?

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[Azynza]

I love all the sparkles! I cannot wait to see it finished!

[Mermaid Tula]

Good idea :) The last time I saw someone's homemade dummy, the feet were at a 90 degree angle to the legs, like a regular standing position. Does that actually work or should they have pointed their toes...?

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I think either way works. Pointed toes are probably better so that you can get all the way down with the fabric. I think pearliemae's dummy has pointed toes.

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[Mermaid Tula]

I love all the sparkles! I cannot wait to see it finished!
Thanks! I'm excited too lol

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[SeaHerSparkle3899]

I was actually thinking of making a galaxy mermaid tail for myself before I saw this thread, but mine would probably be a sequin tail. I can't wait to see how yours turns out!


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Totally been thinking of galaxy tail too! And since I'm a Pisces, I have the idea to have the constellation put on there!

[Mermaid Tula]

Totally been thinking of galaxy tail too! And since I'm a Pisces, I have the idea to have the constellation put on there!
That would be awesome! If you do make it, i want to see! 😊

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[Agent Dragon]

Totally been thinking of galaxy tail too! And since I'm a Pisces, I have the idea to have the constellation put on there!

DUUUDE the three of us should totally be space mers together!


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[Mermaid Tula]

DUUUDE the three of us should totally be space mers together!


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Yus! Galaxy pod!

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[MeliPixie]

Hah you guys are totally making my day!

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[Mermaid Tula]

Hah you guys are totally making my day!

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[emoji171] [emoji171] [emoji171]

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[Nerdmaid Faith]

Galaxy mermaid - I am onboard

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[SeaHerSparkle3899]

Hah you guys are totally making my day!

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Totally down for a Galaxy Pod!!!!!! :yay:

[MeliPixie]

Totally down for a Galaxy Pod!!!!!! :yay:
Me too! I've been trying to figure out the perfect "realistic" mermaid design for my first tail, but I've been overly critical on the sciency points every time I do one. But space is one of my passions! Maybe I'll make my first tail space themed too! What an inspiring thread!

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[Mermaid Tula]

I love you guys so much! This thread went from ok here's tulas stuff to awesome we're starting a galaxy pod! 💜💜💜

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[MeliPixie]

[emoji170] [emoji1] [emoji171]

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[MeliPixie]

Tula, what kind of caulk did you go with for your silicone schmear? Just curious [emoji6]

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[Mermaid Tula]

Tula, what kind of caulk did you go with for your silicone schmear? Just curious [emoji6]

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170309/f6dc40167e575d7bb775e2c3f96a7677.jpg ge all purpose 100% silicone

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[MeliPixie]

Is that body safe? *worryface*

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[Mermaid Tula]

Is that body safe? *worryface*

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From my research, once it is completely cured, its body safe. I'm going to be coating my fabric with it, and the small patch test i did, it didn't soak all the way through the fabric. It mainly bonded with the top layer

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[MeliPixie]

From my research, once it is completely cured, its body safe. I'm going to be coating my fabric with it, and the small patch test i did, it didn't soak all the way through the fabric. It mainly bonded with the top layer

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Wow, very interesting!

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[Mermaid Tula]

I also made sure to get one without the antifungal or any other chemicals other than the silicone. I wear my respirator mask, safety glasses, and nitrile gloves.

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[MeliPixie]

Ah, that's a good idea *nodnod* I hadn't really thought about antifungals.

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[Mermaid Tula]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170310/813ffcc10af242ac0eab5b7f96ee1c50.jpg fabric sample with silicone coating.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170310/78200f2482041e5068f07077fc85356b.jpg the shiney spot at the bottom is where silicone went under the fabric. The silicone is soaked into the top part of the fabric, but not all tue way through

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[MeliPixie]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170310/813ffcc10af242ac0eab5b7f96ee1c50.jpg fabric sample with silicone coating.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170310/78200f2482041e5068f07077fc85356b.jpg the shiney spot at the bottom is where silicone went under the fabric. The silicone is soaked into the top part of the fabric, but not all tue way through

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Oh wow! It almost has a wet look to it, and it seems to make the colors look a bit brighter! Lookin good so far!

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