making a mixed media tail?

[Nixen Nicole]

I am using several different materials to create my tail. I have had lots of different recommendations how to go about it but I have a few questions I never thought to ask...so I thought I would ask them.

About the tail- it is a neoprene base coated in lycra that is painted with Createx paints and I will be siliconing it to protect the paints and give it a more realistic feel. I have cut the monofin to give it ths shape I want rather than creating the shape on the ends of the monofin making the tail more manageable in the water for more precise swimming. The monofin will be a permanent part of the tail. Some other additions will be added to make it more ethereal (and to hide any mistakes I make teehee).

My questions:
1. I want to put a zipper in for ease of putting on and taking off the tail, has anyone else done this and any recommendations on how to go about this? Locations? Lengths? Invisible/ not invisible? Positive experiences? Negative experiences?

2. What silicone does everyone use? Any brands you ran into issues with? Any application tips? Wear the tail while applying? If not would you sew it before or after you apply?

3. The heelstraps on the monofin? Keep them? Do away with them? Trade them out for a better strap? Recommendations? experiences? (Its a Finis Wave-I have very small feet : ) ) If I do away with them how do I keep it secure to my heel?

4. Do you prefer hand stitch or machine stitch? Did you seem it inside out or did you over lap the neoprene? I know many people do it with the edges flush but how to do that on a regular sewing machine I don't know?

5. How do you keep it up? I don't really want to use elastic and I know neoprene is fantastically stretchy- I have considered using a lycra/spandex material at the top to create a band to hold it flush to the body? Has anyone come up with a fail safe way to keep it from bowing away from the body without using an elastric strap? I thought even an ace bandage or spanx would work if sewn in correctly- but I don't want it to be constricting?

: ) It's cut and is being painted but now I am to the hard part : )

[Winged Mermaid]

1. Back middle- cover with dorsal fin or side seam. Invisible zippers are prone to breaking even in regular clothing. A garment that puts that much pressure on it isn't recommended-. other mers have had them break on them, some in expensive latex tails. Go with an industrial one made for sports equipment or heavy coats, and don't use a silver metal one.

2. Tin cure silicone- GE Silicone II, clear. Check the MSDS for toxicity issues and saftey before using, and know that discoloration (yellow to brown) is a possible issue down the road. Apply before sewing it together.

3. If your tail is tight enough you don't need straps- I don't have them with mine. Either way neoprene socks or booties help keep it on securely. You could also glue or otherwise attach water shoes into the footpockets.

4. You can hand or machine sew. See the sticky on sewing neoprene for important details. Sew inside out with right sides facing each other.

5. If you sew elastic on the inside you won't see it. Hannah has that on the inside of her tails (see Hannah Frasers Tails thread), as do many other mers. Other mers use an external decorative belt of netting and other decor. If it's tight enough you won't have to worry about it. Normally this can't be done for hips and stomach fitting issues, but with a zipper that issue is eliminated allowing for a much better fit.

Make sure you check the monofin thread subsection: sticky on how not to cut monofins to make sure how you cut it will not cause a crack or rip in your monofin.

Any more questions, look through the threads in the Tailmaking Reference Index thread (sticky in this section) first.

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