Hi new girl here, my first tail too!

[ChelSEA]

Hi, I'm new to the mermaid community, in fact just now joining. I'm in the beginning process of researching and making my first tail! I'm thinking, for my first tail, I'm gonna go with making one with ALEX? I've done the research, read the how-to's, and read the forums on it. Still I want to open discussion for thoughts and opinions and defiantly all the advise and pointers I can get! Also I have a big inquiry of a monofin! I have rather small feet: size 5 in womens. Sooo yeah?

[~Molly~]

aloha & howdy!

[Mermaid Annariea]

welcome to mernetwork, chelsea :D
i havent got any experience with making tails, but i have a feeling that latex would be difficult for your first tail. if you think you can do it, go for it, but be careful. i bet theres a LOT of trial and error.
and with monofins, ive heard that leaderfins is good, along with their counterpart. i forget what theyre called... but they sell monofins that are the equivilant of the finis competitors, except theyre cheaper and you can choose different blade hardnesses. i bet you could get size 5 footpockets, and if they dont have it listed, you could ask them and im sure theyd be happy to try and help you. they do custom fins all the time.
i hope youll post pictures of your tail process once you begin it :D

[ChelSEA]

Thank you =D And HIIIII everyone =D I'm actually REALLY good at working with latex, as I'm actually a special effect's make-up artist, so latex is sorta my thing =)

And thank you very much for the pointer on monofins!

And I sure will post pictures! I look forward to it, assuming it turns out good =)

[ChelSEA]

HIIIII =)

[Mermaid Hamant]

Welcome to the forum! Good luck on your first tail! :)

[merboy78xy]

Hey Chelsea... I still consider myself fairly new to the merfolk community as well. Just curious, are you going to do a photo series along the way (trail and error) or just wait till the finished product? :)

[Sea Pearl]

Hello and welcome Chelsea! Good luck on your first tail! I've never attempted to make a mermaid tail myself yet but there are plenty of people here who have and will be more than happy to give advice.

[Mermaid Annariea]

wow, well it's good that you have experience with latex already, im sure that will make it A LOT easier. good luck :D

[ChelSEA]

Hey Chelsea... I still consider myself fairly new to the merfolk community as well. Just curious, are you going to do a photo series along the way (trail and error) or just wait till the finished product? :)

You know, I didn't think about that yet, but yeah, I think I will do photos along the way

[ChelSEA]

And thank you guys =)

[jukumerboii]

HELLLLLLLLLOOOOO DERE!!!!

[ChelSEA]

Also, I have another big question. At what point should I put the monofin in? I'm actually thinking I'll sew the tail together BEFORE the latex phase of putting on the scales and all, mainly because sewing isn't my strongest suit and I'd feel best doing that. So I'm thinking, should I put in the monofin before sewing? Do I need to have a opening of some sort near the heels to secure the strap on the monofin? Advise?

I know it's funny that I'm making my first tail instead of buying my first tail, but I have full faith I can do it =)

[Nemefish]

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! XD

[ChelSEA]

Haha you guys make me feel so happy and welcome =D HIIIII everyone =D

[ChelSEA]

OOOH! I may have had my question answered by another forum! I should put a strip of velcro or zipper of the bottom of the fluke?

[Spindrift]

mine is a zipper. I think velcro is easier to maintain/work with though.

[ChelSEA]

I feel like I could manage either, I feel like I'm better at sewing in zippers though =) but so a zipper or velcro at the bottom of the fluke is a good way to go?

[Spindrift]

Yep! I have zippers in both my neoprene and in my spandex and they seem to be doing well. Just make sure the zipper you put in won't rust.

[JesseaP7488]

I am also new just signed up a few days ago

[SilentMaid]

I have heard of people putting a zipper in the bottom of the fluke and on the side of it. I'm just wondering where y'all recommend putting the zipper.

[Mermaid Marina]

I have used velcro on the bottom of my fluke as it is not too difficuly to attach it to the neoprene. The only issue with a zip at the side or on the bottom is you can sometimes see it protrude unless you put material hanging over it to disguise it. Hope this helps xx Mermaid blessings! xx

[Mermaid Rillia]

Hello! Welcome to Mernetwork! :)

[Ilonka]

Welcome! I'm making my first tail too, I'm using latex , its hard but not impossible. It's better than using Alex and its pretty cheap too, buy it from monstermakers.com, very good quality latex. U will need 1 1/2 gallons for a tail, 2 if you are a big person. Good luck!