Another "How I made my neoprene tail" thread

[*Celine*]

Ok, so someone suggested I should make a thread on how I made my tail and here it is. It's my first tail and as a lot of you know, it comes with a LOT of trial and error :p. So here I go:

First I looked for neoprene fabric and there was only one site at that time I found that sells neoprene in 2 colors: black and grey (not much for me to go on but I thought: "haven't seen a grey tail before so let's go for it")

Then I drew my design:
4237

Then I decided not buying a monofin but making one so I drew the design of the fluke I wanted and cut it into a pattern:
4238

The next phase was looking for the right material and I decided on Polyethylene, and using a electronic saw I cut the shape of the monofin:
4239

In the mean time the fabric arrived and my mother helped me sewing the neoprene:
4240

next I looked for fabric for side and dorsal fins and I started experimenting:
4241

And also designed the scale pattern (don't steal this design please, if you want to use it just ask :-)):
4242

After all that, the painting started, I first painted the top of the tail with flesh colored paint so I could make a V shape and I painted the side of the tail black to create shadow and make the illusion that I'm thin :p:
4243

During the process I decided to lose the side fins:
4244

Everything started falling into place:
4245
4246
4247

And after 2 months the tail was finished:
4248

After the photo shoot the monofin snapped in 2, I didn't know then that it was because of the middle not being shallow enough so I made the same model out of the same material and off course that one snapped also. Then I decided to buy a Competitor Monofin and I cut the shape I wanted:
4249

I couldn't find any site that sold Shelf liner or Vinyl and the sites I found on this network didn't ship to Belgium so I had a big problem and then I had a crazy idea and I used the material extend the fluke and I used glue to seal some fabric onto it and I repainted the fluke and the fabric:
4250

And I used the same material to glue the dorsal fins on:
4231

I made myself a top out of those silicone stick on bra's and sewed fabric onto it and painted it (in the end I want to sew beads and sequins onto the bra but I wanted something on the top for when I'm going to test it):
4232

I'm still not sure if I'm going to use the top because I have large breasts and I don't want them to look like they're hanging to much.

Today I sewed on the dorsal fins and the zipper in with my mother and I glued velcro so the dorsal fins stay up but they stay up really well on there own:
4233

Now all I have to do is test it, and if luck is on my side that will be next saturday.

I hope this thread is useful, here is a list of the materials I used:
- the neoprene fabric: http://www.stoffen-online.nl/Stoffen_00288/Stoffen_00289/Neopreen_P01255.aspx
- the paint: Marabu Textil paint
- sponge and regular brushes
- Pattex glue (after testing the elongated parts fell of in the water so I wouldn't recommend this glue)

If you have any questions or tips and tricks for me don't hesitate and let me know. I already started designing a new tail and I'll keep you posted.

Love

[Mermaid Saphira]

works perfectly now! And don't feel like an idiot, it happens all the time.
Your tail is incredible! I wish you luck with your test ;)

[*Celine*]

Thx Aqua, that makes me feel so much better :)

[Mermaid Cascada]

Your tail is beautiful and your scale pattern is very impressive :) I hope your test works out :D

[*Celine*]

Thx, Kimmie, I hope so too. Fins crossed

[Mahi Mermaid]

I really like the small scales turning into big scales patter! awesome idea! gorgeous work!!!!

[Mahi Mermaid]

I also think you should add the side fins, they lok great!

BTW do you have facebook?

[*Celine*]

Thx Krystal Patrick, I actually have no idea how it happened, it wasn't my plan to make the scales grow bigger and smaller but it just happened. Hahaha, everybody keeps saying I should've added the side fins but I'm not going to add them now anymore. The design of my new tail has a very special dorsal fin though so stay tuned ;-p

[MermaidMadeleine]

Your tail is amazing! Very inspirational :)

[*Celine*]

Thank you very much MermaidMadeleine.

However, yesterday I had my worst nightmare come true, I was testing my tail in my brothers pool, and the pieces I used to elongate the monofin just peeled of my tail. I had it glued down but it looks like the glue wasn't water resistant and also those parts were painted and the paint fell off as soon as it touched the water, which surprises me because it's textile paint and that shouldn't come off so I guess it's the fabric, luckily only the part I used to elongate the fin but still. I ended fishing for paint the rest of the afternoon, whilst crying.

[Mermaid Crystal]

Cool what did you paint to neoprene?

[Mermaid Fenicia]

Did you heat-set the fabric-paint? Because you need to heat-set that kind of paint or it washes off ;)

[Arella]

Very pretty! Love the colors.

[*Celine*]

Mermaid Crystal: I used Marabu Textil paint.

MermaidFenicia: No, I didn't heat-set but I found out it was merely the fabric on the elongated part of the tail, the paint staid perfectly on the neoprene.

The Freshwater Mermaid: Thank you!

Okay, now for the progress report:

after that disaster I decided to make some new pieces to elongate the tail but instead of using the fabric that didn't hold the paint I found some leftover neoprene fabric (thank God) and made it clear it wouldn't come the tail again by glueing the parts down with Teck 7 (or something like that) and I also sowed the parts to the tail, I just finished doing that. Tomorrow I'm gonna start painting the elongated parts so that it will perfectly blend with the rest of the fluke.

After all that I can start looking around for places where I can test my tail.

[Mermaid Narina]

your tail is beautiful! :') and the scale design is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!! Where did you buy the polyethelene (i dont know how to spell that :P ) ? I want to make my own monofin, but i'm not sure where to buy it. And also, how did you make the foot pockets?
Thanks :) <3

[inactive account]

That is the most beautiful neoprene tail I have ever seen! you've just raised the bar! xxx

[*Celine*]

Natasha: Thank you very much first of all! I bought it at a regular store where you can buy all sorts of things for construction and gardening and all that. The foot pockets where made from old swim fins I didn't use any longer (and I have like 5 pairs of them :-p).

Neotail: Thank you so much, that is the most beautiful comment I could ever receive!!!

[Ashe]

That tail is absolutely gorgeous! You have no idea how much people would be willing to pay for a tail as great as that! Well done

[*Celine*]

Kalani: waow, thank you so much, you really think people would buy this?

[Mermaid Celissa]

you really think people would buy this?

I sure would! It's spectacular!

[*Celine*]

Mermaid Celissa: haha, thanks honey, I'll keep that in mind if I would ever sell my tail.

So here's another update:

I had to repaint the fluke of my tail a couple of times because of all the drama that happened to it, today I finished painting the fluke (hopefully for the last time). Now I'm just gonna do some repainting of m scales (but only on the sides, to give it it a little more dept) and I'm gonna swim in it next week if everything turns out okay.

Also I'm seriously thinking about covering the entire tail with sequins because, honestly, I'm not very good at painting and I don't like how the fluke turned out (also partially because you can see a huge ridge across the fluke because of the elongated part that I had to re-do).
It's a thought crossing my mind, I'm not sure what to do yet. The most important thing now is to swim in my tail (and hopefully get a few pictures and maybe a video out of it)

[*Celine*]

Last update:

after a year (with breaks) the tail is now officially ready, I did the finishing painting like an hour ago and everything is ready for another photo shoot next week
and maybe some videos and photos in the water, hopefully. xxx

[Mermaid Celissa]

Awesome! I think it looks absolutely beautiful

[*Celine*]

Mermaid Celissa: Thank you very much!!!

[Mer_Adella]

Question for you Celine....

did you buy grey neoprene and add nude neoprene?

or did you paint nude grey? just curious


the tail turned out amazing!!! you are a gifted artist

[SilverSiren]

I think she painted the neoprene nude at the top, just assuming this since if you look at the pictures you can just make out the back that hasn't been painted and it looks dark grey/black still. Beautiful tail, lots of work on the scale painting.

[Mer_Adella]

I think she painted the neoprene nude at the top, just assuming this since if you look at the pictures you can just make out the back that hasn't been painted and it looks dark grey/black still. Beautiful tail, lots of work on the scale painting.

thats what i figured. I like that idea because then you can get the right color paint to match your skin tone (would be hard for me in the summer tho, i tan DARK without trying) lol.

i think that if i wasn't in a rush i would try and paint like she did (different design of course) but i am in a rush lol

[SilverSiren]

thats what i figured. I like that idea because then you can get the right color paint to match your skin tone (would be hard for me in the summer tho, i tan DARK without trying) lol.

i think that if i wasn't in a rush i would try and paint like she did (different design of course) but i am in a rush lol

Theres always tail number two! You'll have your fabric one done soon and then maybe you can take on neoprene and take your willy nilly time with it as much as you like. :)

Also, if you don't know already, if you want perfect skin tone matching, look to see if you have blue or green veins. If they are blue you should mix more red into your paint, if they are green then more green and/or yellow. Most people don't know that to get a perfect skin tone, you don't use brown and white. Just red, yellow, green, and white (rarely blue, only if the subject is exceptionally pale). It's a MUCH closer match. Also, remember to put a little of the paint on your skin closest to where the tail will meet your body and wait for it to dry, some paint comes out darker or lighter than you see it wet... can't tell you how many times I've done a painting thinking the skin would be pale and instead came out like they have a summer tan or the other way around! lol You could also try and get the paint to match your 'neutral' tone, the color of your skin when it is not at it's palest but not at its darkest, that would be your best bet.

[Marie-Josie Cayer]

Really nice paint job! Your tail looks life like! Keep up the good work! We need people like you to inpsire others to do same! Thank you! :)

[*Celine*]

Mer_Adella: Thank you first of all, and yes I did paint the waist line nude, it took a lot off layers because off the grey neoprene being so dark. :-p

Silversiren: Thanks very much, I did spent a lot of time on the scale painting but it was lots of fun!!!

Marie-Josie Cayer: Aaaaaaw, thank you, that's so nice.

I had a photo shoot last week, stay tuned for the pictures!!!

[MermaidIvy]

That's AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its beautiful and the scale pattern is gorgeous!

[mermaidmeaghan99]

You are such a good artest! I cannot believe how beautiful this tail is, and I could tell how much time you spent in designing the tail on paper because of all the detail! Keep up the good work!!!

[Elle]

Your tail is lovely. And look!! a dress that matches :)

[Taniira]

It's a bit of a dead thread, but I have a couple questions. When you sewed your neoprene, did you hand sew it or use a machine? And did you sew it with edges together so you're sewing through two layers of neoprene or did you butt the raw ends together and sew them together? (Hopefully that makes sense).

[*Celine*]

Elle: thank you and yes, that dress is really cool and it does match my scale design!! :-D

Taniira: I sewed it using a machine, my mother helped me doing it because I'm still learning and we sewed the neoprene by laying one layer on top of the other. think it's one of the more efficient ways to do it like that :-)

[Mermaid Hamant]

That is amazing!!! Thanks for sharing. You did a wonderful job. :)

[*Celine*]

Mermaid Hamant: Thank you :-)

[Taniira]

Thanks so much!

[Ashe]

To answer your question from months before: Heck yeah! I'd so buy one if I didn't already have a tail!
And question: What paints did you use? And did they stretch well and stay on in the water??

[Prince Calypso]

I'm not really a big fan of neoprene tails only cause i prefer a more realistic look in water but your tail is absolutely to die foe

[Usagi]

Wonderful :) also, they sell shelf liner at Home Depot! It's what I'm using for my tail! Similar thoughts :)

[*Celine*]

Kalani: Thank you, that's really nice off you! uhm, actually, I bought normal fabric paint (brand: Textil) and I think I got lucky with this paint because it stretches with the fabric and returns to it's original state and the paint doesn't come off.

Prince Calypso: that's one of the best compliments someone can give me so thanks for that!

sydthefairebrat: yeah, I know, unfortunately they don't sell that where I live, and also, I'm kinda particular on vinyl and shelf liners, but I'll find the perfect one soon, I started on my design for my second tail and hope to get started in June.

[Trident True]

whoooo another creative soul. your tail looks awesome, you did a fantastic job. :)

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

I love this tail so much I could die. There's something about the artistry and hard work that goes into making a fabric tail, not to mention how unique they can be, the countless different ways they can look, that really appeals to me. This thread makes me really want to make a neoprene tail of my own. I can't wait till you have more pictures to show us!

[Sammi Ray]

Wow.. you are a truely talented! I am making a neoprene one myself soon, so you have given me some great creativity and what you can do with neoprene :)

Do you have a video of you swimming in it yet? :D

[*Celine*]

Thx everybody for the nice comments, here are some other pictures of me in my tail and a shot clip of me swimming in my tail. this tail is currently getting a sequin makeover so it'll never be the same. enjoy.
14598

14599

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4704437003750&set=vb.1078983057&type=3&theater
The clip was taken a year ago

[Sammi Ray]

:) very pretty. love the waist. :) I'm nervous about making mine.

[Mermaid Marissa]

I love your tail!!!! Looks super cool with the different scale sizes. Did you free hand the scales?

[*Celine*]

I love your tail!!!! Looks super cool with the different scale sizes. Did you free hand the scales?

Thx Marissa, yeah it just kinda happened, i wasn't planning on doing scales in different sizes but it the end i think it gives the tail a cool twist, you know. :-)

[Mermaid Esther]

do u think u can make me one?

[The Harlem Mermaid]

Ok, so someone suggested I should make a thread on how I made my tail and here it is. It's my first tail and as a lot of you know, it comes with a LOT of trial and error :p. So here I go:

First I looked for neoprene fabric and there was only one site at that time I found that sells neoprene in 2 colors: black and grey (not much for me to go on but I thought: "haven't seen a grey tail before so let's go for it") OMG! its gorgeous what an amazing job you did, really great, im so impressed, and your top is perfect just like it is, i hope i can learn how to paint mine just like you , good luck, please post a link for the after test so i can see the results. :) thank you for tis

Then I drew my design:
4237

Then I decided not buying a monofin but making one so I drew the design of the fluke I wanted and cut it into a pattern:
4238

The next phase was looking for the right material and I decided on Polyethylene, and using a electronic saw I cut the shape of the monofin:
4239

In the mean time the fabric arrived and my mother helped me sewing the neoprene:
http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=4240&stc=1

next I looked for fabric for side and dorsal fins and I started experimenting:
4241

And also designed the scale pattern (don't steal this design please, if you want to use it just ask :-)):
4242

After all that, the painting started, I first painted the top of the tail with flesh colored paint so I could make a V shape and I painted the side of the tail black to create shadow and make the illusion that I'm thin :p:
4243

During the process I decided to lose the side fins:
4244

Everything started falling into place:
4245
4246
4247

And after 2 months the tail was finished:
http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=4248&stc=1

After the photo shoot the monofin snapped in 2, I didn't know then that it was because of the middle not being shallow enough so I made the same model out of the same material and off course that one snapped also. Then I decided to buy a Competitor Monofin and I cut the shape I wanted:
4249

I couldn't find any site that sold Shelf liner or Vinyl and the sites I found on this network didn't ship to Belgium so I had a big problem and then I had a crazy idea and I used the material extend the fluke and I used glue to seal some fabric onto it and I repainted the fluke and the fabric:
4250

And I used the same material to glue the dorsal fins on:
4231

I made myself a top out of those silicone stick on bra's and sewed fabric onto it and painted it (in the end I want to sew beads and sequins onto the bra but I wanted something on the top for when I'm going to test it):
4232

I'm still not sure if I'm going to use the top because I have large breasts and I don't want them to look like they're hanging to much.

Today I sewed on the dorsal fins and the zipper in with my mother and I glued velcro so the dorsal fins stay up but they stay up really well on there own:
4233

Now all I have to do is test it, and if luck is on my side that will be next saturday.

I hope this thread is useful, here is a list of the materials I used:
- the neoprene fabric: http://www.stoffen-online.nl/Stoffen_00288/Stoffen_00289/Neopreen_P01255.aspx
- the paint: Marabu Textil paint
- sponge and regular brushes
- Pattex glue (after testing the elongated parts fell of in the water so I wouldn't recommend this glue)

If you have any questions or tips and tricks for me don't hesitate and let me know. I already started designing a new tail and I'll keep you posted.

Love I hit the wrong button, I love it its gorgeous! what an amazing job you did, really impressive thank you so much for sharing. hope you will add your After Test link so we may see the end results :)

[The Harlem Mermaid]

gorgeous! love it the paint didnt come off or loose it s vibrance thank you dear