How much neoprene should I get?

[Dacora]

I get to order my neoprene this coming week, but I have no idea how much to get. I was thinking about getting it from Macro International since they have the gray I want.
http://www.macrointlco.com/category.jhtm?cid=10

Here are my measurements
Waist to ankles 33 and a half inches
Waist to knees 19 inches
Hips 35 inches
Thighs 34 inches
Knees 20 inches
Calves 20 inches
Ankles 13 inches

[Azurin Luna]

What I did, was take the widest part of your body and divide it by 2, that's how wide the neoprene should be at minimum, plus extra for the seam allowance. The maximum length would be from your waist till the end of your monofin or fin shape and a little extra. That's what I did for both my tails to get as little seams in them as possible.

[Winged Mermaid]

Take the widest point of your would-be tail (usually either hips or width of the monofin at widest point). If it's your monofin multiply that width times two. You need the fabric to be at least that much in width. Then measure from the highest point of your tail (waist) all the way down to the tip of the fluke. This may be the tip of your monofin or longer depending on your fluke shape. That's how long you need the fabric to be. If your fabric isn't as wide as you need it to be, you will need two sheets of fabric instead of just one. If this is because of the monofin, you can cut out the fluke separately and sew it on with a nicely shaped seam (such as the Fish Butts tails).

For the average mermaid, two yards is adequate. You may need more depending on your height and length of the fluke.

[Dacora]

I guess I should finish modifying my mono fin then to get its length. XD
I guess I will ask this here too, I looked at other threads but didn't get a for sure answer.
I have an older sewing machine and I was thinking about going with the 1.5mm neoprene but is it thick enough to hide my legs and still look good? Or should I go ahead and try the 2mm?

[Dacora]

Ok so from my hip to the tip of my fluke is about 58 inches and my hips multiplied by 2 is 70. I was hoping to get my fabric from Macro International but for nylon coated on both sides the longest sheet is are 40 something inches long. Im guessing two sheets is enough? Ill probably have to cut out the fluke separately and sew it on correct?

[Winged Mermaid]

You multiply the width of the width of your fluke by 2, but your waist measurement is what it is. When you measure your waist you go all the way around, so all of the area that needs to be covered is measured. With your fluke when you measure across that is only 1 side of what needs to be covered so you multiply by 2. Hope that makes sense :)

That's the down side of ordering sheets instead of by the yard. If you can find by the yard you can get the length that you need so it's all one piece. With sheets, the best thing would be to make the body of the tail from one sheet and the fluke from another.

If it were me I would go with the 2mm. Pretty much every older sewing machine I've ran into just meant it was better quality and could take more. Just follow the sewing neoprene tips (there's a sticky on that) and take it slow. Worst possible outcome is that you have to hand sew it.

[Dacora]

You multiply the width of the width of your fluke by 2, but your waist measurement is what it is. When you measure your waist you go all the way around, so all of the area that needs to be covered is measured. With your fluke when you measure across that is only 1 side of what needs to be covered so you multiply by 2. Hope that makes sense :)

That's the down side of ordering sheets instead of by the yard. If you can find by the yard you can get the length that you need so it's all one piece. With sheets, the best thing would be to make the body of the tail from one sheet and the fluke from another.

If it were me I would go with the 2mm. Pretty much every older sewing machine I've ran into just meant it was better quality and could take more. Just follow the sewing neoprene tips (there's a sticky on that) and take it slow. Worst possible outcome is that you have to hand sew it.

Oh ok. That makes much more sense. XD
Thank you guys. <3