materiels

[Mermaid Bella]

so we all know that we from oceania miss out on many of the things that our brothers and sisters from the states and the uk have available to them, including supplies and materiels for our tails. i went into spotlight yesterday to get some lycra for my first tail, the cheapest i found was $35 per metre, so i never got any.

i wanted to make a list of where everyone got they fave supplies,physical shops only as its quite easy to find stuff online :D

[Spindrift]

I've been to the Spotlight in Singapore and their selection is quite fantastic. I can't really offer much help for physical shops in Australia, but perhaps there was a way to order in supplies from Spotlight (SG) and have it shipped to your local branch?

[Mermaid Bella]

in my local spotlight, the only thing you can order in is stock that they have run out of, if they have 3 types of tulle then thats all they will order for you, dont ask me why, they just roll that way.

anyhoo i found a shop that seems to have a nice range.

the fabric store:

Sydney
21 Cooper Street
Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
Ph: +612 92112217
sydney@thefabricstore.com.au

Opening Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.30am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: Closed


Brisbane
38 Wandoo Street
Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006
Ph: +617 3852 55 80
brisbane@thefabricstore.com.au

Opening Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm


Melbourne
184 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065
Ph: +613 9416 4455
melbourne@thefabricstore.com.au

Opening Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm


Auckland
139 Newton Road
Newton, Auckland 1010
Ph: (09) 366 1991
auckland@globalfabrics.co.nz

Opening Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm

and they do have a website, i know i said no websites but they have physical stores too so count it XD http://www.thefabricstore.com.au/

[Taniwha]

I'm only good for NZ shops sorry, so here in Wellington that's mainly Spotlight or Arthur Toye since the fabric warehouse closed.

[~Ivablu~]

Yeah, me too, though i found an easy way to get neoprene is to buy an old full body wetsuit off trademe or ebay, then just sew the legs together and paint it :) good for the environment too, you know, the whole recycling thing;) and lasts longer than spandex/lycra.

[Mermaid Narina]

SPOTLIGHT IS SO EXPENSIVE! I bought my lycra there for my purple tail and it was $30 a metre... :(
Good places online: www.spandexhouse.com
If you search under the 'hologram' section, and go to page 4, they have some amazing tyedied fabrics!
For me, there are several fabric shops (My Hung and New Century Fabrics in Penrith NSW), and the fabric is alot cheaper. Look for local places nearby is my best tip! :)

[Artisankatie]

Unfortunately all my favourite shops are local to me, here in bayside Melbourne :/

[Mizuko]

Besides Spotlight here in Adelaide, DK Fabrics is a great place. So many dance/swimwear fabrics!

[AnnaAbyss]

Have you tried Lincraft? And yes, Spotlight is so damn expensive! I hate their prices!!! I'm sure there's places where you can buy cheaper spandex or lycra. :D

[Mermaid Narina]

'My Hung' also has a HUGE range spandex in some awesome colours, some as cheap as $18 a metre :)

[Mermaid Bella]

yeah i checked lincraft, more expencive lol. i ended up buying a much thicker poly-elastine blend, ive only swum in it once, it was more of an awkward wave cuddle but it got wet at least and seemed to be ok :)

[Elle]

was in Spotlight recently and found some metallic mesh. not quite as fine as tulle, but not enough space to be looked at as sparkly fishing netting. I bought some anyway cos i thought it was pretty.

[OceanRose]

Fabric is indeed expensive here ... and, I can't figure out how to get a tail out of the 150cm width without having to attatch a bigger piece to the monofin end, seeing as I want a big fishy tail. Might have to get more material, which means more $$$$.

I found some italian shiny nylon lycra swimwear fabric in plain pretty colours, ready to paint, from dancefabrics direct in NZ, $30 per metre. I like it, because it's SPF50+, and high chlorine resistant, and is about the same price as what I found in Spotlight.

Elle, that metallic mesh sounds nice!

[Elle]

Yes the mesh is lovely, I just don't know what to do with it :)
with the 150 width, I guess your options are either buy extra for the mono fin or buy it so there is enough in length for coverage. If there is extra, you can always attach extra fins or maybe a dorsal.

[Mermaid Narina]

Fabric is indeed expensive here ... and, I can't figure out how to get a tail out of the 150cm width without having to attatch a bigger piece to the monofin end, seeing as I want a big fishy tail. Might have to get more material, which means more $$$

For my first tail (in the GIF below) i only had enough money with me to buy $30 worth of spandex from spotlight, which turned out to be 1.5 x 1m
Too small right? What i did, is cut out the "sleeve" (waist to ankles) and sewed it up, then pieces together leftover strips in the shape of my (enormous) monofin! Its funny, it actually worked out because the strip look kind of like ridges on the monofin :P
But it was too close a shave for me to do again!

[Mermaid Miel]

I get my Fabric from Spotlight. The closest Lincraft to me has very little/none in the way of patterned Spandex (which I prefer.)
I am soo looking forward to visiting DK Fabrics, I have to get one of my friends to take me though (its soo far away!)

spandexhouse.com is cheap... but charges a Whopping $60 for shipping to Australia.

I prefer Ebay... but only for personal tails. I've often had fabric arrive, too fragile/thin or 2-way stretch when I thought I was buying 4-way. Costs me a bit more, for a bit less fabric than buying in person.

[Aino Revontuletar]

I was looking for a thread like this! I was wondering if anyone in our pod has made a silicone tail, as I am absolutely in love with them and really want to try making one myself, even though I can't really afford it and have never done anything like this before, LOL. If so, where did you source your materials from and how much did it end up costing? If anyone could help me on this I would love you forever. I know I could probably import most of the stuff from overseas but I would rather avoid ridiculous shipping costs if possible

[Elle]

does anyone know where to get netting? like for tops?
the only stuff I've found has very large holes. I looked online, but the cost of it is about $25-$30 plus the same for shipping :(
I really want to make my shell top, just don't know where to get the netting from

[Mermaid Bella]

I have yet to see an ausmer who made her own silicone tail sorry, but I would be looking in Clark rubber, bunnings and maybe art riot for stuff.

for netting, I bought a yabbie net from Kmart, it was about 10 bucks and had a lot to work with, the opera house style was the best, also keep the netting off bags of oranges :D

[Ilyena]

Mizuko has made/is making her own silicone tail (there's a whole thread about it). The netting I got from bunnings but in my neoprene tail thread I've just made a top with a netting which has the same big holes but there are smaller lines in between (borrowed that from the scrap netting pile from next door which they use to keep the birds out of the vines). If you pm me the amount you need, I could get some of the stuff I used and post it to you??. I'll post a picture in my album of the netting close up, its stretchy and doesn't fare well if pulled tightly but ill also put pictures up of how I got around it and only having to tie it loosely.

[Mermaid Bella]

oh, i didnt see that thread, there you go, now i have seen an ausmer who made their own ;)

[Elle]

I've actually decided to use some string bags.... they've got a good shape, stretch and they hold up to a lot of abuse

[Ilyena]

Oh nice, didn't think of that :)

[Elle]

I was in my local spotlight and they had this wonderful sequined material. And it was tightly pack sequins. I reckon it would've cost around $50 - $70 a metre. But I had to share. 3147531476

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[OceanWhisper]

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[Mermaid Jaffa]

I get my lycra from here. https://www.theremnantwarehouse.com.au/

They've mostly got florals, but recently added plain lycra and some new prints. And thicker quality than Spotlight or Lincraft.

[Ilyena]

I saw that sequin fabric the other day.....I won't lie, I spent a few minutes playing with it, flipping it from colourful to black :P

[Elle]

I saw that sequin fabric the other day.....I won't lie, I spent a few minutes playing with it, flipping it from colourful to black :P

I did the same thing. For about 5 minutes.

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[PearlieMae]

I love that fabric! It's about $50 a yard here in the states, too. :(

If I can find it cheaper, I will be happy to pick some up and ship it! I'll wrap it up like a gift, so it doesn't look like a commercial enterprise, you just pay the actual cost plus shipping. So if you see fabric online from the US (not just this fabric, any fabric) let me know and I'll arrange it. :)

You just have to promise I can swim with you one day if I can get to Australia! :mermaid kiss:

[Mermaid Galene]

Wow, that fabric is mermazing!

[Ilyena]

I think I remember the price being about $60 ($59.95)/m.

I don't think we'd need to promise Pearlie, it's a given ^_^

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

I have some of that fabric which will eventually be made into a tail and yes it is $60 a meter. But I waited until they had 50% off all fabric to buy some! I also use net bags for netting! The only other net I have ever found was in an op shop!

[OceanWhisper]

I got some fishing net from BCF -boating,camping, fishing- (not the best, and not exactly what I had in mind, but it works for now) It came as a landing net, and I just cut it into pieces I wanted. It's much more plastic than I would like though. I'd like to get some actual 'string' netting off eBay eventually. :) you could look on there perhaps?

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

I'm looking for something quite specific. Ebay has a fair bit but all the holes are too big!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Prawn netting? Its much softer and lighter than landing nets. Or you could always make your own with heavy weight fishing line.

[PearlieMae]

Nylon cord makes nice netting and there are lots of how-to videos. I't pretty easy, but time consuming.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1Roll-100Yards-Nylon-Cord-Thread-Chinese-Knot-Macrame-Bracelet-Braided-Cord-1MM-/390494487007

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

It's funny you say that pearlie because I have actually been making some net out of cotton twine this week! Took me forever to make the tiniest bit!

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[MermaidAine]

My bestie is making her tail out of that sequin fabric. She got the green/purple and the gold/silver. It's gorgeous. Only problem is its a two way stretch and the stretch is long ways and it breaks needles like crazy!


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[Mermaid Freyja]

My bestie is making her tail out of that sequin fabric. She got the green/purple and the gold/silver. It's gorgeous. Only problem is its a two way stretch and the stretch is long ways and it breaks needles like crazy!

I'm actually making a tail out of this same fabric, but in a different colorway. I've made a few things from this kind of sequin fabric, and it takes patience, the right needle/thread/stitch length because of the stretchy mesh base. I'm going to tackle this one after I get back from Dragon Con in September. Fear not, it can be done, and I'll share my progress.

Even though it will only stretch length-wise as a tail, I have a few tricks up my seamstress sleeves that will make it work. I'll be mounting it onto a metallic spandex or even a neoprene base with some hand stitching. When I do use the machine, I will need to remove the sequins from the seam allowances to sew them together. Then I'll reinforce and reapply sequins in any areas along the seams that are missing them.
It may seem like a ton of work, but it's still less than applying all the sequins one-by-one, and I consider it a sewing challenge ;)
I may even want to try my hand at making a silicone fluke, dorsal and other fins for this one, but we'll see how the tail body comes together first.
Here's a photo of my fabric just wrapped around my legs for the photo (and it shows slightly darker here than it actually is):

http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=31749&d=1438027477

[PearlieMae]

I found that if you run the fabric so it stretches width-wise around your body, then add a 4 to 6" panel down the center back with a piece of the same fabric turned 90˚, so it stretches lengthwise, you can use any 2-way stretch fabric. The bonus to that is that there are no side seams! (Basically, the seams are 3/4 the way around.) I did this with some pretty 2-way Lurex I had.

There might be some inconsistencies with the nap of the fabric, but some creative embellishing can hide those issues.

[Mermaid Freyja]

I found that if you run the fabric so it stretches width-wise around your body, then add a 4 to 6" panel down the center back with a piece of the same fabric turned 90˚, so it stretches lengthwise, you can use any 2-way stretch fabric. The bonus to that is that there are no side seams! (Basically, the seams are 3/4 the way around.) I did this with some pretty 2-way Lurex I had.

There might be some inconsistencies with the nap of the fabric, but some creative embellishing can hide those issues.

Good idea Pearlie! I may do that along with some well placed darts, plus a hidden zipper in a dorsal fin :)

[PearlieMae]

But with the stretch being accommodated by the rotated piece, you don't need a zipper!

[Mermaid Freyja]

But with the stretch being accommodated by the rotated piece, you don't need a zipper!

I may need a short one up closer to the waist if I go with neoprene, since I curve in a lot there. But yeah, I'll experiment with all the above options ;)

[Celaeno]

I'm actually making a tail out of this same fabric, but in a different colorway. I've made a few things from this kind of sequin fabric, and it takes patience, the right needle/thread/stitch length because of the stretchy mesh base. I'm going to tackle this one after I get back from Dragon Con in September. Fear not, it can be done, and I'll share my progress.

Even though it will only stretch length-wise as a tail, I have a few tricks up my seamstress sleeves that will make it work. I'll be mounting it onto a metallic spandex or even a neoprene base with some hand stitching. When I do use the machine, I will need to remove the sequins from the seam allowances to sew them together. Then I'll reinforce and reapply sequins in any areas along the seams that are missing them.
It may seem like a ton of work, but it's still less than applying all the sequins one-by-one, and I consider it a sewing challenge ;)
I may even want to try my hand at making a silicone fluke, dorsal and other fins for this one, but we'll see how the tail body comes together first.
Here's a photo of my fabric just wrapped around my legs for the photo (and it shows slightly darker here than it actually is):

http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=31749&d=1438027477

Wow, that's lovely! How well does sequin fabric like that hold up in the water?

[Mermaid Freyja]

Wow, that's lovely! How well does sequin fabric like that hold up in the water?

Not bad, but if your swimming in a pool with super high chlorine levels, it can dull the finish on coated sequins similar to the above.
Luckily the pool I frequent has a lower chlorine level, and I haven't had any of my metallic fabrics dull after many swims.
Ocean swimming may dull sequins over time. A sequin bathing suit I had once, ended up dulled due to the sun and sand more than the salt water alone.

[Celaeno]

Good to know. I'm considering using sequin fabric for my tail, but playing with the idea of coating it in dragonskin to protect it.

[OceanRose]

Good to know. I'm considering using sequin fabric for my tail, but playing with the idea of coating it in dragonskin to protect it.

To me it's a really good idea to coat the sequins. Would the dragonskin stick though? I know other types of silicone (i.e. caulk) won't stick to sequins.

[Celaeno]

No idea, it'll take some experimentation, I think.

[Mermaid_Sarina]

So I haven't been through here completely because there is a lot of comments so I don't know if anyone has already suggested this company but I'm planning on soon trying their fabric soon: http://www.digitalfabrics.com.au.
They have chlorine resistant and UV rating of 50+ lycra swimming fabric. They also have the option to print your own design onto the fabric which is perfect for us Mer's because they don't have a Mermaid scale pre pattern. I'm excited because with it being chlorine resistant it should last a lot longer. Once Mermaid Leina and I have tried it I'll let you all know how its works and wether i recommend it <3

[Mermaid Jaffa]

So I haven't been through here completely because there is a lot of comments so I don't know if anyone has already suggested this company but I'm planning on soon trying their fabric soon: http://www.digitalfabrics.com.au.
They have chlorine resistant and UV rating of 50+ lycra swimming fabric. They also have the option to print your own design onto the fabric which is perfect for us Mer's because they don't have a Mermaid scale pre pattern. I'm excited because with it being chlorine resistant it should last a lot longer. Once Mermaid Leina and I have tried it I'll let you all know how its works and wether i recommend it <3

Oh thanks!! Sydney is 15mins by bus, so fins crossed the postage isn't too much! All I can think of right now, are custom fabric tails!:yay:

[Mermaid_Sarina]

Oh thanks!! Sydney is 15mins by bus, so fins crossed the postage isn't too much! All I can think of right now, are custom fabric tails!:yay:

Thats okay Jaffa :D You're so lucky living around Sydney! I can't wait for a new fabric tail!!! Its all so exciting!

[Luna Dreamtide]

I'll start a thread when we have the fabric with my process and a review on the fabric. Still designing the print for our scale pattern at this point. :)

[mollythemermaid]

If anyone has some leftover sequin fabric there are a bunch of stuff you can make! I recently wrote a post on it and there were more options than I thought. Enjoy!

MERMAID SEQUIN FABRIC (http://www.everythingmermaid.com/mermaid-sequin-fabric/)

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