Yep, it's another "making my first tail" thread

[WavyMermaidy]

So I am about a week or so into the process of designing/making my first tail. Decided to go with fabric (even though hubby generously offered to purchase a realistic one) because I really want to make my own and am hopelessly thrifty. Not that it means no *forever* mind you...just for now ;)

Anyhow, here's most of what I've gone through thus far (after years of dreaming of mermaids, contemplating a tail, stalking these forums, etc, of course):
Step 1 : Make manic trip to JoAnn's wandering the aisles, pacing back and forth in front of the meager swim and dance fabric shelves with armloads of Lumiere fabric paints, brushes, thread, hubby carrying a palette of blue spandex fabric under his arm
Step 1.5: Return to Joann's the next day with email coupon that had been held hostage in spam folder during original purchase...cut costs in half (yay!)
Step 2: Receive monofin in mail; jump up and down excitedly when discover footpockets fit correctly; giddily slip into clear blue springs - various human children staring in awe and mimicking my movements - and regale in my monofin mermaidness...get more excited about prospect of making tail!
Step 3: Upon deciding to go with a peacock feather color/pattern scheme, begin to paint scales on test swatches with great artistic ambitions, a la Michelangelo
Step 4: Slam brush down onto paper towel with utter frustration, as realize I am not Michelangelo, or even Micheal the happy house painter. Realize utter lack in artistic skill.
Step 5: Smile with glee at idea to not have to paint scales directly on fabric and be more realistic at same time...*snickers at stroke of genius*!
Step 6: Slam brush down again with realization that I still must paint...see description of artistic frustration in step 4
Step 7: Pick up brush and paint anyway; meanwhile cut out different scale-shaped stencils and patterns; move big ball of spandex scraps from floor to couch to other side of couch to accommodate actual sitting on couch
Step 8: Tape together pages from newspaper acquired on trip to Virginia and cut pattern (inadvertently sliced off head of Assateague pony in photo) :( - try not to read articles while making pattern
Step 9: Go through humiliation of measuring self (hips, thighs, calves, etc) many, many times to ensure correct measurements...consider triumph to discover have initially overmeasured (slightly) and must shrink pattern
Step 10: Pin, chalk, cut, sew...ta da, a basic tail that I almost decide keep the way it is so I don't have to face more of the aforementioned artistic frustration. Hubby convinces me to have picture taken to show progress. Look up wistfully in photo. Promptly send to parents in order to receive assured kudos for my work thusfar.
Step 11: Begin to make awesome, tummy tucking superwaistband. Sit for 30 minutes looking at elastic and fabric. Begin machine stitching 3 times then furiously seam-rip. Decide to google "how to make waistband" at a later time.
Step 12: More artistic frustration...arrrgh! Then, however, notice actual-factual positive results with previous night's work. Consider success and plan to proceed as envisioned.
Step 13: Shortly after achieving artistic satisfaction proceed to have minor panic moment re: artistic choices (i.e. maybe I should change the colors???!!!); escorted to JoAnn's again by hubby (pulled muscle in neck with overzealous yoga move so could not, therefore, move neck to drive self). Return faulty thread and pick up 3 more Lumiere colors. Pace aisles for top/accessory ideas. Big visions of eventual mermaid fabulousness!!
Step 14: Arrive home and try new Lumiere colors but decide to keep original color scheme with minor changes. Panic over. Feel fairly good about self. Will proceed as planned.

And that's about where I'm at, folks. Friends are coming this weekend to visit so I will probably take a break, but whenever I get things put together enough where I know I won't change things around I will post photos of the tail in all its fishy glory :) Until then, here is the progress photo taken by hubby (sorry if it's a tad pixely).

[Mermaid Dottie]

That post made me very VERY happy. I feel you.

[Spindrift]

This made me giggle. You're doing great and the tail looks fabulous!

[MermaidRaegan]

Can't. Stop. Laughing. Must. Breath.

Okay, now that I can control myself after reading your list of steps, I can totally relate to artistic frustration! I changed my tail design at least 20 times before I settled on what I have now. I can't wait to see all the fishy glory!

[mermaid hannah]

haha best "making my first tail" thread i have EVER read.. :)

keep it coming.. you make me laugh!

:)

[Mermaasai]

oh you are AWESOME ^.^ I remember all of those steps VERY clearly, I'm glad we're all in the same boat (or rather... swimming around underneath it)

[Mermaid Bella]

hehehe, youve been here around the same amount of time and i just started my own "first tail" thread but youre way more ahead than me! kudos!!

[AniaR]

good for you!

[WavyMermaidy]

LOL, thanks for all the laughter and support! It helped to write it all down and rant a bit (I tell ya, First-World problems, right?!) Anyhow, it's all a fun adventure, and I am loving the process. It's nice to know that we are all, as Mermaasai said, swimming underneath the same boat (v. cute, btw).

So, to update a bit...once I decided to let go of just keeping the tail to the basic blue fabric (and imagining myself answering inquisitive children's questions with, "What, you didn't know that real mermaids are actually half human, half spandex?") and settled on the colors and patterns, I came up with this small mockup section of what the scales will look like. I was going to do them all copper lined but tried the iridescent pink as well and liked that (that was the whole 2nd panic trip to JoAnn's thing). Now I'm thinking of alternating layers (one copper, one pink, etc.) as in the photo below.

Sigh...looking at the photo I am suddenly reminded of a scene from the movie Clueless:
Tai: Do you think she's pretty?
Cher: No, she's a full-on Monet.
Tai: What's a Monet?
Cher: It's like a painting, see? From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess.

But, you know, I think I'm still in satisfaction mode all things considered. It's hard not to be a perfectionist when trying to create something that's so exciting, but like hubby keeps reminding me no one else will be nitpicking it but me. Perfection doesn't exist in Nature, really. Kids will for the most part be intrigued regardless. Mere mortals will momentarily suspend their rational belief - not commenting on irregular paint blobs. Everytime I see someone in a tail...even when I know the materials it's made from and can see knobby knees and heelstraps...I still block that away even just for a moment to see not a costume but a mermaid.

That said, however, feedback is always a plus since I haven't started going full-tilt crazy on the sewing machine just yet.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

You are adorable, your tail looks lovely, and that first post was phenomenal. I'm still chuckling.

[Kanti]

Haha xD I think that's how a lot of people get things done. I've lost count of all the crazy Joann adventures
I've gone on so far.

The tail's looking really cute though! I love peacock feathers, can't wait to see what you come up with!

[Mermaid Miel]

I actually love those scales. And the layer look is awesome! Just remember to anchor the layers so they dont fly up underwater... though that might be a cool effect too!

[WavyMermaidy]

Thanks MeriaMiel - I thought about the floating scales thing, but it seems like they sit ok when the fabric is stretched as it would be during normal wear, but I still want to test the swatch in the water and see what it does. But like you say, the floating might be kinda cool anyway :)

[WavyMermaidy]

UPDATE
Dateline, May 31st: Houseguests are gone - plans resume for tail-making endeavor. Spend much time continuing contemplation of awesome tummy-tucking superwaistband. Read and re-read "how to make perfect-fitting pajama bottoms" and "smooooooth waistband" online to boost confidence. Use many pins. Play with fun wrist pin-cushion. Come to realization that no amount of well-placed pins will result in successful fold-over waistband. Decide to take entire tail in 1/2 inch to make self feel better.
Take soothing bath to relieve stress of waistband follies and to test scales. Stretch scale swatch over thigh in bathtub to ensure lack of floaty scales, paint chips, or the like. Swish thigh around in manner of graceful koi or of old woman washing laundry in a stream. Imagine life with one square of scales on thigh.

Dateline, June 1st: Awake to find many well-placed pins in waist of tail and partially sewn crazy zigzag stitch set on overlock stitch settings. Furiously rip seams as though created by crazed enemy and not desperate self late last night. Spend 30 minutes staring at material and elastic...again. Have minor "aha" moment when discover foldover waistband problem: larger hip measurement + smaller waist measurement = bunched up crazy craptastic waistband. Decide to hack off waist of tail and attach proper hip-size casing for elastic and attach to tail. Hug self in celebration of genius in the face of math problem.

:P Not as much fodder for the humor mill as the original steps, but it was still kindof a funny process and maybe helpful to someone else in their tail-making issues. I ended up tightening the elastic up a bit more and then taking the tail (without scales yet) to my local state park/springs for a test swim. On the way heard the song "Can't Get It Out of My Head" by Electric Light Orchestra - had not really listened to the lyrics until today, and I couldn't believe my ears that they sound like kinda about a mermaid or sea nymph or some such thing. http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/115709/
I figured that was a good sign.


When I was putting on my tail, I happened to glance at my swim mask (one I've had for over a decade) and noticed the logo...has a mermaid on it! 3160

Never noticed THAT before either, so I definitely knew this was going to be good (even though it looks like a mermaid with a blowgun).


And indeed, the tail was great! The waistband didn't luft or slip but it wasn't too tight, and the rest of the tail worked perfectly. I was in the water for about an hour with no negative issues to speak of, so it looks like I can paint and sew on the scales in the next couple of days. I'm so excited!!!! (and I just can’t hide it). I should have enough fabric for the job without another manic run to Joanns provided my cat Pumpkin relinquishes her claimed possession of one of my main pieces of fabric…but for now, cuteness prevails. When your cat is afraid of thunderstorms and uses your swatch as a safe spot, it’s pretty hard to ask for it back.

[MermaidRaegan]

Still hilarious as ever m'dear. XD I can't wait to see how the scales turn out now that you've conquered the trials of the superwaistband.

[WavyMermaidy]

Well, now is as good a time as ever to shamelessly plug a product that someone might need during the tail-making process. Not a brand of paint, a type of brush, or a great shade of spandex...no, it's Nature's Miracle Just for Cats Stain and Odor Remover.

You may be asking, "WavyMermaidy, why are you plugging a formula for removing cat pee and vomit for the tail-making process?"

Perhaps it could be used if your beloved pet, through no intention of his or her own, pees on, pukes on, or otherwise defaces your materials with bodily fluids. Nature's Miracle is an awesome pet stain remover, but that's not the point of this particular product plug. Let's say (just hypothetically of course) you knock over half a pot of Lumiere halo blue gold acrylic paint onto your less-than-5-months-old tan berber carpet at 8 in the morning while simply doing one tiny test spot with a new sponge brush on the scales that have become the bane of your simple mermaid existence!!!

Hypothetical situation, remember ;)

Anyhow, turns out that when shouting expletives and staring at the expanding green/gold spot of doom on your carpet fail, you can use Nature's Miracle (and a lot of patience, elbow grease, a roll of paper towels, about 10 washcloths, more expletives, sneaky footsteps as to avoid waking the hubby, some eco-friendly laundry detergent, and a little Shout) to eventually make that horrible stain just go away. Don't ask me how those little enzymes made for eating organic material (a la cat puke) can eat away paint and not eat a hole in the carpet...they just do.

Anyhow, my point is that if you should spill any acrylic paint on your carpet, tiny or large amounts, it won't hurt to try Nature's Miracle for your paint removing needs (this is, of course, if the initial shouting of "S*** s*** m*****f*****!!!" fails to remove said paint).

PS I am not normally an expletive-shouting person...but man it just rolls off the tongue when you are faced with potential carpet-ruining doom on the floor of your rental house :(

[ShyMer]

Hmm... I'm not sure I believe that this situation is entirely hypothetical...

[WavyMermaidy]

Haha, well, it is not hypothetical in the least...simply trying to momentarily deflect the shame I have felt all day at almost ruining the carpet from a stupid mistake :)

[WavyMermaidy]

I don't suppose anyone is actually waiting with bated breath or anything to find out how my tail process is going, but I thought I should mention that I am still working on it furiously, creatively, frustratingly.... There've been a few setbacks, namely the "big spill" of paint on the carpet which, besides giving me a minor heart attack and leading to an eventual (and successful) spot cleaning service for our carpet, turned out ok. It did, however, interrupt my paint supply of "halo blue gold" Lumiere paint, and when I went back to Joanns for more they hadn't restocked. I knew they were on clearance but somehow I still thought they'd restock it. Hobby Lobby? No. Michaels? Heck no! Little art stores anywhere nearby? Yea..no. SO I had to order more paint from Joanns website, which took a week to deliver.

Meanwhile, more drama about my lack of artistic skills on the scales, but I eventually came to a happy place with that. Also more swimming in my monofin and finding a 10ish year old girl at the springs who just finished making her own tail and wanted to swim with me and talk about tails and mermaids for over an hour. Hubby and I had a great conversation with her and her family. Felt a little bad enlightening them to the fact that the Animal Planet doc was a fake...her sister's boyfriend seemed quite disappointed at that.

So, now I'm in the process of painting and applying scales as well as working with some fake seaweed for the tail and an eventual bra top (which I started on during my loooong waiting period for paint). Figuring out the best way to secure the open find bottom has been oh so fun...sewed on tons of snaps, then took them all off. Sewed on a bunch of seaweed, then took it all off. In the midst of starting again with velcro which seems like a better option.

I just started volunteering at a marine science summer camp, so my work time is more limited...and though it's actually coming along quite well I'm at the point where I just want my tail done b/c I REALLY want to go swimming in it!!! Baaaahhhh! Ok, time to get back to work on said tail :) And I think I'm going to wait to post pictures til it's all done if that's ok.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Who said we weren't waiting with baited breath? :P

[WavyMermaidy]

One sign that mermaid tail-making has taken over your life: When you drive 10 hours to another state for a good friend's wedding and get way more excited about finding a Joann's that still carries Halo Blue Gold Lumiere paint close to your hotel than about the actual wedding!!!

So each of my rows of scales that I'm making take 3 layers of Halo Blue Gold...so I'm on a constant hunt for more. Just ordered 8 jars from Joanns online so I should have enough to finish. My tail is scaled up to about mid thigh and I have finished a seaweed fringe on the fluke.

Another interesting tail-making behavior: You shout YESSSSS!!! in the bathtub not because it is fabulous and relaxing but because your work-in-progress tail that is near impossible to pull on dry actually goes on easily in the water. So far...so good.

[Spindrift]

Haha sounds like you're making a lot of progress!

[WavyMermaidy]

Well, after what seems like forever (no, not "seems like"...I'm pretty sure it really has been forever) the tail is done!!! I got it done the day before heading to MerPalooza...I tried it on, got frustrated, cut the entire waist off in a fit of artistic frustration, shortly thereafter shouted "I killed my tail!!!" and held back tears, quickly reattached said waistband...and was able to wear it in the pool (for about 7 hours total) at MerPalooza.

Here are a few pics:
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I got some compliments on it at MerPalooza, which was really nice! It swam well and didn't fall apart or stretch too much and fall off...in fact, it stayed on great!!! I put some netting on as a belt but more to disguise some material at the top and some scales that were flipping up. A couple of other pics I have show where some of the material between scale rows showed through on the back of the knees, and some of the thread broke holding the scales on near the ankles...all annoying but nothing too terrible. So all in all, I'm happy with it!! I do have immediate plans to design and purchase a Fish Butts latex tail as I hope to be doing some public events around my town and would like a more realistic tail, but I'm happy that my first homemade tail wasn't a fail..yay!

[Jadestone]

I love the peacock inspiration! It's lovely :)

[WavyMermaidy]

Thank you, Jadestone :)

[MermaidIvy]

I love this so effing much!!! :D
I love the peackock inspired scales, and the whole tail is so amazing! It doesnt look homemade!!!

[WavyMermaidy]

Aww, thanks a lot bella!!!!! That's really nice of you :)

[Mermaid Saphira]

I can't believe I missed that your tail was finished :doh:

I love the peacock inspiration there, it really does look great!

[MerEmma]

Love your tail. <3