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Little_Orca
07-27-2011, 02:37 PM
As some of you remember from the other forum, I am making my third fabric tail. Soon, my heart, soon we will have better...

Anyfin, I am still working on my new tail. I brought over from the other forum some of the information and images I had posted on the other place to get this restarted and going. I won't post everything as a picture and some changes have been made.

Here is a preview video. In it, I am showing that I am indeed making a new tail, the fabric color, and I talk a little about my shrinking tail (weight loss). There is a cameo appearance by Selkie, my torti-point Siamese cat, and it is her bell you hear jingling through the first half of the video.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDrSZRm77aE

The fabric is a thick lycra that is dark blue. The outside (pretty side) has little black dots on it that are shiny and give it a semi-scaled look without there having to be large sequins. I was planning to paint scales (not sure now) and do a lot of embellishments and designs with paint and maybe some glitter, so that will all be revealed as time goes on.

The paint colors for the detail work on my tail may change. The main tail color is a dark blue (looks navy inside, but in sunlight it's not) and the accent colors I originally got were dark teal, berry, and lavender. The purple-ish colors were to be mostly on the fins.

The original design: http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/TailInProgress-1.jpg

My plans went a little bit away from a butterfly koi and more towards what I called a parrot fish and now ... who knows. I really wanted a lyre-tail look but could not afford a new monofin just yet and felt I may as well just work with what I have; especially given how expensive my paints I need to get are (Yes, I think the purple paint plan is dead, more details later). The use of extra fins, as was present in my blue tail, is under debate. I had them completed and sewn into the tail before the two pieces came together last time, but this tail I did not include them before sewing. It will be simple to add them, but it all depends on how I get the rest of the tail looking. Mr. Orca said that he liked how the fins look in the water, but out of the water the fin-less look was better; at least in the cloth tails. Still unsure.

Construction Pictures!

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/IMG_1147-1.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/IMG_1143-1.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/IMG_1145-1.jpg

And for the grand finale of this post, I do have an image of me sitting in the tail at my computer desk. It is unpainted so it looks quite plain. The extra fabric in the tail is bunching but once the paint comes on the weight of it tends to make it lay a little flatter. The dog is my mini dachshund Molly, a puppy mill rescue, and the other dog in the image is my sister's dachshund who I am babysitting. My sister's other dachshund is hidden in the warm blankets.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/LOTail.jpg


And for bubbles and giggles... this was me 85 pounds ago... Can you see the difference? *Giggle*

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/MermaidSwim2.jpg

AniaR
07-27-2011, 02:39 PM
any fin, LOL love that

Taylor is a Mermaid
07-27-2011, 02:56 PM
You go girl! 85 pounds--WOW! And I can really see it. When I was planning my tail, I probably watched your tail making/swimming videos about 50 times. Don't worry, I won't copy though. My tail will look very different from yours, but you've really been an inspiration for me.

And I love that you have a rescue dog. We suspect my boxer Sasha might have been a puppy mill dog; she was very young and the vet said looked like she had spent much of her life pregnant. She didn't know anything about how to be a dog besides mothering stuffed animals. Puppy mills make me sick. Also, your sister's dachsund is doing what my Chihuahua, Bambi, is doing like 70% of the time, lol. Little dogs sure do love to burrow.

melbel1023
07-27-2011, 07:12 PM
girrrrrrrl, what's your secret to the weight loss?! =D

Mermaid Sirena
07-27-2011, 07:56 PM
I love it's deep color and shimmery sheen! It's lovely! Especially the paint job!

Little_Orca
07-27-2011, 08:18 PM
The paint job on the new one is still being worked out. Nothing is coming to mind!

Mermaid Sirena
07-27-2011, 08:41 PM
Wow.... I feel incredibly stupid right now, i got the two tails meshed into one -.- guess I should stop reading mer forums during class, can't pay attention to either one properly :P

Little_Orca
07-27-2011, 08:48 PM
*Giggle* It's all right! I can completely understand them getting mixed up.

Little_Orca
07-27-2011, 09:14 PM
The fluke's pattern is still blanking on me. I got some great paints, all on sale, so a normal purchase of $20 for four containers was only $14 today. Anyfin, these are my colors:

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/IMG_1440.jpg
Violet with a Gold Halo............Super Sparkle White...............Dark Blue..........Blue with a Green Halo .......... Bronze

These are the colors that will go into the fluke. Only problem... I don't know how yet. *sigh* I'm working on it.

Taylor is a Mermaid
07-27-2011, 09:19 PM
I don't know but I loooove that sparkly white color. So pretty.

jukumerboii
07-28-2011, 03:04 AM
looking good ma!

Maple
07-28-2011, 03:07 AM
I love the bronze!

I cannot wait to see your new tail! I didn't even realize you could paint a fabric tail until I watched your videos...which is how I am going to make my orca tail :)

LindseyLu
07-28-2011, 02:35 PM
I know it's going to look great whatever pattern you decide for the fluke!!! The colors are great :) How do the lumiers hold up in the water? HAve you had any isues with cracking, fading, etc? And are getting them around here somewhere or getting them online? I couldn't find any at Michaels :( I like that they are pearlescent and I want to try some on the purple tail I'm starting on!

By the way, you are looking fabuolously fabulous!!!!! Keep up the great work!! It is very hard, I know from first hand experience! I've lost 65 lbs in the past couple years and am trying to keep losing...still have about 20-30 to go until I'm where I want to be. 85 lbs is a HUGE accomplishment, you are an inspiration in so many ways!!! <3 u Little Orca!!!!!

Little_Orca
07-29-2011, 12:22 AM
How do the lumiers hold up in the water? HAve you had any isues with cracking, fading, etc? And are getting them around here somewhere or getting them online? I couldn't find any at Michaels :( I like that they are pearlescent and I want to try some on the purple tail I'm starting on!

They are great on fabric tails. The only color I have a hard time with in terms of pealing occasionally is the Super Sparkle. However, if you keep the layering thin and do not just cake the paint on and then are sure to heat-seal it, then they work great. They are the paints I have used on my last two tails as well as Mr. Orca's tail. You can get them atm at Fabric Depot (since I know you are in the same town :P) or at JoAnn's near 82nd (which are on sale atm, 30% off I think).

Little_Orca
07-29-2011, 12:23 AM
girrrrrrrl, what's your secret to the weight loss?! =D

Lots of movement. Shake that tail fin!

Little_Orca
07-29-2011, 12:25 AM
Here is my current (current... ocean... mermaid humor) plan for the paint job on the tail. I included a dorsal fin paint job as well, since I am going to make one, but I do not think I will do any of the other little fins.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/LONewTail2.jpg

CoralMoonMermaid
07-29-2011, 01:12 AM
I like the paint design, especially on the dorsal fin :)

Little_Orca
07-30-2011, 01:43 AM
Here is a picture of the paint job on the flukes. Well, half of them since I still have the other side do to. There was a part about 75% of the way done when I was about to be in tears and thought I had messed it up completely, but I walked away from it, went to my evening class, then came back and started again and it looks awesome. :)

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/FlukeOfNewTail.jpg

This is the first time I have put spots / markings on my tail other than just attempting to paint the rays of a typical fish tail (see siggy pic). I am liking adding designs to the fluke. :) More pics to come when the paint job is complete!

CoralMoonMermaid
07-30-2011, 01:46 AM
OH WOW!!!!! I love it!!!! :)

Taylor is a Mermaid
07-30-2011, 02:43 PM
Me too! It is really beautiful; you've outdone yourself this time.

Spindrift
07-30-2011, 06:41 PM
Wow, that looks really good! I love how clean the lines/designs are with no smearing and the like. This one is going to look amazing!

Little_Orca
07-31-2011, 01:46 AM
I had started to paint scales on the tail, but I don't think that I like them. Thankfully, some of the tail was too long and I need to make some adjustments so I can cut off the part that has been painted. Beyond that I just need to do some touch-ups and maybe the dorsal... still unsure.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/IMG_1496-1.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/IMG_1493-1.jpg

Taylor is a Mermaid
07-31-2011, 01:54 AM
Aww I like the scales! They remind me of peacocks.

Little_Orca
07-31-2011, 02:00 AM
I think they could be done, but I do like the look of the fabric without anything on it too. It looks very... scale like to begin with. The way the fabric was made makes it look like little tiny scales. See the pic below to see what I mean. This is when the tail was still "naked":

503

Little_Orca
07-31-2011, 02:07 AM
Another problem with the scales is that they will stretch and not look right once my big bum is in there. Therefore, keeping the fabric as-is is best... after I remove those scales with some sewing skills.

Little_Orca
07-31-2011, 03:27 AM
504

Here I am on a set of stairs in the tail. There is some more detail work I want to do (maybe) and some taking-in that needs to be done before it's 100% done.

jukumerboii
07-31-2011, 03:45 AM
looking good,,im liking the over all vibe of the tail!

LindseyLu
08-01-2011, 12:35 PM
Oh wow, I am loving your new tail!!! Can't wait to see it in the water, the fluke is soooo creative!!!! By far your most beautiful so far!!!! <3<3<3<3

Little_Orca
08-04-2011, 07:27 PM
So... I messed up my tail and am in the process of fixing it.

I discovered that if I painted the inside of my tail with the paints I had it would make the fabric stiffer and help the ends of my tail not give where the monofin ends and the fabric begins in the tail such a hard crease / defined edge. (See this old photo for reference: http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/14634_644266143518_19707057_37478883_2514465_n.jpg )

I knew there would be risk for the paint to bleed through, so I kept my layers thin and monitored how the outside looked. Well, I didn't monitor well enough. I had some bleed through. Those green spots within the red areas which are not the same as the circular spots are the bleed through, but I am sure you could tell...

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/TailBleed2.jpg
Back of flukes.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/TailBleed1.jpg
Front of flukes.

Thankfully, I managed to get some paints that when I mix them are nearly the same color as the original fabric. Thus, I am going to start some touch up work. More photos and an update once that happens. I hope to get it done tonight, but with dance troupe and these papers... we'll see.

I didn't use the paints that were the same color as the tail right from the beginning because I didn't have them to begin with. I was trying to use the colors I had so I did not have to use more materials or money... So much for trying to be conservative!

Little_Orca
08-06-2011, 12:39 AM
Tail Update:


The bleed through was covered with navy paint then painted over with the lumiere in Indigo and other colors as needed.
The tail flukes will stand up on their own out of the water! (At least when dry) Huzzah!
I have scales!!! I managed to mix two colors of Lumiere paints together and some water in a paint-spray bottle and got some scales with the help of fishnet stockings. (Thanks LindseyLu for that idea on yuku!) They came out very subtle, but I like that since I didn't think you would really see scales well without getting close anyways.
The scale painting on the backside of the tail caused some striping to occur. I have plans to keep people from noticing them as much with the placement of a dorsal fin and some extra spots along the tail near the dorsal fin. (Still in design phase.)


Pictures!:

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/Scales.jpg
A close up of the subtle scales on the tail and the scalloped edges on the fluke design to give the impression of the scales there.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/Stripes.jpg
The stripes that got left behind on the backside of the tail.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My%20Mermaid%20Tail/PoseonCouch.jpg
Silly couch pose that shows the ends of my tail "standing up" rather than flopping over. (Image prior to scale painting.)

Spindrift
08-06-2011, 01:07 AM
So it's done now?! When will you make a swim video? :D

Little_Orca
08-06-2011, 02:25 AM
Lol, not yet. Dorsal fin, some adjustments, THEN it will be done. ;)

MermaidAiera
08-06-2011, 01:40 PM
Lovely tail, body as well! Congrats~Your hard work really shows :)

Winged Mermaid
08-06-2011, 08:35 PM
Looking great!! Can't wait to see it in action!

Little_Orca
08-07-2011, 06:20 AM
Here is a (poorly) graphical rendering of what the tail will look like when I am done. There are a few more spots than will be painted, but this is what I am aiming for.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/IdeastoFinisihTail.jpg

Lets hope it gets done soon so I can get in the water.

Mermaid Saphira
08-07-2011, 11:48 AM
Your tail is looking great!

Kanti
08-07-2011, 02:49 PM
That looks like a very spiffy idea :'P
Are all the patterns you drew on the previous picture going to be on the tail or are they markings to know where something goes, etc. ?
I love the design~ It reminds me of a marlin

LindseyLu
08-08-2011, 07:03 PM
Every time I get on here to check out your progress there's something new!!!! :D It looks soooooo good!!!! If you want to shoot some really cool underwater footage I just picked up a GoPro camera this weekend! :) Since we talked about getting together a while ago how fun would it be to do some film work while we're at it!!!??? <3 I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE IT IN ACTION!!!!!! EEEEEKKKKK!!!!! <3

Little_Orca
08-10-2011, 03:18 AM
Ladies and gentlefish....

IT. IS. DONE!!!!

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/IMG_1781.jpg
The tail's details close up.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/IMG_1777.jpg
The shape of the dorsal fin. :)

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/IMG_1783.jpg
The spots on the back of the tail.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/IMG_1778.jpg
The fin flops over out of water, but there is foam in the "spines" to keep the fin upright in water.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/IMG_1758.jpg
Flip flip! :)

Kanti
08-10-2011, 03:49 AM
Wow~
It looks fabulous <3
Wonderfun work! The dorsal fin looks amazing~

Taylor is a Mermaid
08-10-2011, 03:56 AM
*hyperventilates* THIS IS SO COOL! I did not completely see the vision until now, and it is by far the best tail you've ever done. I know you must be ecstatic; it is beautiful and mysterious and magical.

Little_Orca
08-10-2011, 02:05 PM
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/Tailup.jpg
Here is a picture with me holding up the fluke. The tips of the flukes are stiff enough with the external and internal paint jobs that they stand up on their own. That is one of my favorite things about the tail, but I am sure they will "flop over" when wet.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/Little_Orca/My Mermaid Tail/Ontable-1.jpg
Here is the tail without me wearing it. I just have to heat seal it then it will be ready for the water.

CoralMoonMermaid
08-10-2011, 03:33 PM
wow I love it!!!

Spindrift
08-15-2011, 02:12 AM
<3!

taom
08-15-2011, 03:18 AM
Oh. My. Gosh. It is gorgeous! Excellent work Little Orca! I cannot wait for underwater images!

Little_Orca
08-15-2011, 05:32 AM
I have a few underwater images already on my facebook fan page. Here is the best one of the dorsal fin standing up.

843

taom
08-15-2011, 11:45 AM
Oh wow! That looks awesome!

ivoryleopard
08-16-2011, 02:58 PM
That's an amazing tail Little Orca! Though I really love your paint designs on all of your tails anyway! I cannot decide if I want to paint my current (tail mach 2) or not. I have Tulip fabric paint from the clearance section from Michael's.

Congrats on the weight loss.:) Mermaiding is like the new workout regimen! I noticed that I lost inches after only a month of swimming around in my tails. that's A LOT more than when I use to work out everyday doing Pilates.

Winged Mermaid
08-19-2011, 03:19 AM
Wow!! That's looks amazing!! Well done madam, well done!

Mermaid Marla
08-19-2011, 01:29 PM
Holy cow you did it! It looks just like your drawing! Beautiful job and very unique! Bravo!!

Little_Orca
08-19-2011, 03:21 PM
Thanks everyone. :) I am so glad it turned out as I wanted it to! Now, if I can just hash out the problems with the orca tail... which may have to be put on hold. *sigh* I may not have enough fabric.

Karymermaid
08-09-2012, 01:25 AM
:eek: speechless!!! <3
(long time fan of yours Little Orca!)