Gabfibwksj Fabric Tail Problem

[Usagi]

So yesterday I went with my boyfriend to babysit his sister at a resort in Palm Springs*. We took her in the pool and had A LOT of fun** playing "mermaids" (; I had wanted to take my tail but thought about my stay in PS and how small the pool was. This one was completely different, though. TONS of room to swim. So about 3 minutes after just being in the jacuzzi, I really wanted my tail. :P So we're going back tomorrow!:D Haha but there was a lot of kids there, so if they actually believe I'm a real mermaid, even just in a fabric tail, I want to keep them believing that. But I've got some problems: 1-you can see my bathing suit bottoms through the fabric.^ 2-you can see every bit of the monofin. My tail is very light, so you can see any dark color underneath.^ 3-how do you keep the shape of the fluke, or is it just doomed to be limp?

* they don't live in palm springs, there's a business conference or something going on at the resort.

** for others that have seen me post about the evil child, the time in the pool allowed us to give her our focus, and she was acting like a 6 year old girl, rather than trying to be an adult :P

^ when wet

[Mermaid Saphira]

Bubbles has problems with the fabric on her lime green tail being to light, you can see her swimsuit and monofin right through it. We orignally planned on adding in a swimsuit liner to help cover up, but we are having some issues with the tail fitting around... >.>

anywho...if you have time, you could probably try adding/making a swimsuit lining. Do you have a fabric store close by?

other than that, I don't think I'm much help, but good luck to you :D

[Usagi]

Yeah, Jo-Ann is pretty close, but I didn't see any swimsuit liner the times I was there. /: maybe I'll find a way to make a belt that will cover my butt at least lol then spray paint the monofin maybe? I had painted it white before with acrylic paint, but scrubbed it off when I started taking it to the gym for fear of the paint coming off in the water.

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ My jo-anns is always stocked with swimsuit liner, but never swimsuit material :doh:

The belt isn't a bad idea. And what color is your tail, if i may ask? I don't believe I've ever seen it...

[Usagi]

Yes you have! You even commented on it! lol
http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=492&attachmentid=7957
the actual color is somewhere between that and my profile picture

[Mermaid Saphira]

Ah, okay. I remember it now. Lovely fabric. Perhaps you could try and add some fluke veins? not only would it spice the tail up, it would hide the monofin a bit :)

[Usagi]

I don't know what those are... (*'-'*) that's my embarrassed face lol

[Mermaid Saphira]

I don't know what those are... (*'-'*) that's my embarrassed face lol

Sweetie, don't be embarrassed! Let me explain.. have you ever looked at the lines on a fish's fluke? Those lines are commonly refered to as fluke veins, fish rays or fluke rays. Take a look at this example and let me know what you think... http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=279&attachmentid=3878

[Usagi]

Ohhh! I guess I do know what they are, except I've never heard them called fluke veins. I should have guessed it though lol

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you :P So what do you think of the idea?

[Usagi]

Actually, you know what? I just remembered I have gold paint! lol would acrylic work on it or would I need fabric paint?

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ Hmm, I don't know. I have never tried acrylics on a tail before. Why don't you search around the forums, maybe try a search for it? Somemer is bound to have used it before.

[Usagi]

Okie doke, thanks for your help mademoiselle

[Elle]

you could just buy more material and make a second tail skin and wear it underneath this one......if you have the time and resources to do so :)

[Mermaid Saphira]

Okie doke, thanks for your help mademoiselle

Your welcome, sweetie :D good luck and I can't wait to see some photos :eyebrows:

[Mermaid Saphira]

you could just buy more material and make a second tail skin and wear it underneath this one......if you have the time and resources to do so :)
She is going back tomorrow, I don't think she will have the time. :p That is a good idea though :3

[Elle]

She is going back tomorrow, I don't think she will have the time. :p That is a good idea though :3

Oh well......next time :)

[Usagi]

Oh please..if I wanted to spend the money to go buy the fabric right now, I could totally have it done by the morning (:< Hahaha but I'm saving my money to get materials for a latex tail. But thanks for the idea, elle! (:
I don't think I'm gonna be able to make any changes, though, because the boyfriend is a little sick, which means he's being the biggest whiney baby ever right now and doesn't wanna drive anywhere. So I'm left here without materials, and without any food!! Haha

[Mermaid Wesley]

:( I hope it works out! maybe you could put some plastic on the inside of the fluke to hide the monofin, like part of a plastic folder or something

[Usagi]

If only I had materials. lol

[Ashe]

I have used acrylic paints on tails many times and they work well! Wish I have a picture to show you how they turn out... but can't find one :P But yeah, the paints stays vivid and bright, doesn't flake in the water, and look super pretty :) Hope I could help!

[Usagi]

Did you use it on neoprene or spandex-y material? Because the one I have is like spandex and nylon or something like that

[Usagi]

Just got back from swimming in my tail at the resort pool!!! It was SO MUCH FUN. I got some weird looks from people but it was fun(:

[Mermaid Saphira]

Just got back from swimming in my tail at the resort pool!!! It was SO MUCH FUN. I got some weird looks from people but it was fun(:
So everything worked out well? Thats wonderful to hear :3

[Usagi]

Yep! I made a cardboard extension for my monofin and wrapped it in duct tape and sealing tape. The water still got in and the cardboard got all soggy lol I was still able to swim in it though. I can't upload a picture from my phone, but here's a link:
https://m.facebook.com/RainbowRawrDinosawr?v=photos&cps&album=a.1301477271853.35577.1678081691&ref=bookmark&%24MURI__user=0&soft=side-area#!/photo.php?fbid=3873538731782&id=1678081691&set=a.1301477271853.35577.1678081691&ref=bookmark&%24MURI__user=0