Tail making for kids?

[leeloo]

So yesterday I went swimming in my tail, and a couple of little girls at the pool loved it and wanted their own. After I left, my boyfriend went back a little bit later to get us some sodas from the vending machine. He overheard one of the little girls crying to her dad she wanted a tail but he didn't wanted to spend that much on a tail she would grow out of. I started thinking maybe next time I see them I can let the dad know that I could make her a fabric tail for much cheaper. I started making my own fabric tail before I got my Mertailor tail but never finished it, I had some problems installing the zipper. But then I started thinking maybe installing a zipper for water use might not be a good idea because of rusting. I don't really like when tails are just left open-ended, just looks odd to me. Any other suggestions? Maybe velcro? Thanks!

[Kanti]

I think if you make them out of spandex, wiggling in and out should be enough to put them on?
The german tailmakers (I forget the name) don't put zippers in their tails I don't think?
And I mean, cmon, how much money to parents spend on their kids anyway? They always buy
them barbie toys and those fake cars and other things that cost a lot. Making a mermaid tail
for a kid is something they'd certainly enjoy~

Also how fast will they grow? I remember as a kid I didn't outgrow my clothes THAT fast. I'd
get to keep them for a couple years at LEAST?

[leeloo]

Yea I dunno, I grew pretty fast as a kid, lol. It seemed like I was always wearing high-waters, lol! But I was wondering about that, when I tried to make a tail for myself there is no way I could have fit my tail through the skinny ankle area, but I dunno it might be easier with a kids tail with a smaller monofin. I was thinking about using one like this that is already shaped.

http://www.star-pool.com/Finis-130012110-Mermaids-Swim-Fin-Child-Purple-P107080.aspx

[Mermaid Saphira]

How about "invisbale" zippers from jo-anns????? ;) Good Luck!!!!!

[Spindrift]

Velcro works. There are also plastic zippers that won't rust in the water as well as really heavy duty metal zippers that won't rust either.

[LindseyLu]

That's the monofin I put in this tail, and this is a spandex tail. I didn't use a zipper or velcro, for spandex tails you don't really need to worry about that... Honestly, she has grown a lot in a year and the tail still fits. It won't in another year or two, but she will have a few more by then anyway :) The only reason I was thinking I would leave the bottom open was because of mold, but I didn't like the look so I sewed the monofin in the tail, there's no getting it out! Spandex drys really quick too so we luckily we havent' any mold issues! :)

http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=342&d=1311627108

[leeloo]

aw, cute! Well I was surprised to discover I was able to fit my monofin through the tiny ankle area in the fabric tail I started on. Now I'm bummed I cut it open for nothing. :( Silly me.

[Anya]

I used that same monofin for my tail, haha. So really height would be the first thing they'd grow out of, I'd think (unless they get big feet). But if you make it a little longer they can roll down the waist (that's what I do as well, mine was my first tail and a bit of a rushed job) and it'll last longer. I just left the end of my tail partially open, enough to get the fin in and out. But the fabric fluke is larger than the fin and I sewed in a design that keeps the fin snug in place and you can't really tell there is an opening at the bottom. I think it's an incredibly sweet thing to offer. Hopefully the dad has/is willing to get a cheap fabric one!

[leeloo]

Anya, do you happen to have any pics of your tail, especially around the opening so I can get a better idea?

[leeloo]

Oh, thought of another question, lol, sorry. How many yards of fabric would I need for a kid's tail, about 6 or 7 years old?

[Mermaid Saphira]

it depends on the length from their belly button to their ankles..not all childeren are the same height or size

[Mermaid Narina]

im making a tail for my 10 year old cousin, and from his belly button to the tips of his toes is 103cm. Im not sure how much that is in yards, but you get the general idea of the height for most 10 year olds...
and if you buy a metal zipper, get the ones used for awnings/outdoor stuff- they wont rust!

[Anya]

So sorry for the late reply! I just started a new job and it's been crazy. Here is a link to the pictures, I didn't want to take the time to figure out resizing and sticking them in text, sorry! I am 5'5" and I think I got between 2 and 2.5 yards and my tail is too long. I roll the top down and it fits fine. As swimsuit material is thin and strechy, a zipper might be overkill and maybe even detrimental since the fabric is light-weight.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151224509723858.566027.814423857&type=1&l=eedf829246
here are the pictures.
Also, mermagica makes fabric tails with this fin and closes the end, so maybe check that out for inspiration http://www.mermagica.com/store/

if you'd like more info, lemme know!!!
again, sorry this took so long

[Anya]

also, if you make it a little too long, they can roll it down and it gives a little growing room, just a thought :)