Fringe for a spandex fluke?

[Mermaid Menanna]

I'm getting closer to making my first tail, just working out some minor details now. I'm wondering what everyone else uses for fringe on their spandex tails? I saw the thread of Hannah Fraser's blue tail where she used vinyl floor mats for her fringe, but I would think that is quite heavy and would create a lot of drag on a spandex tail, yes? Are there good options for the "sheer/clear" fringe look that works with spandex?

Thanks!

[Mermaid Momo]

You could possibly sew some tulle to the fluke then cut it into thin strips afterward.

[Mermaid Photine]

I second the tulle.
Also, what if you used a lighter plastic, perhaps a shower curtain? They have lots of different patterns, and I wouldn;t be suprised if you found a textured one.

[Mermaid Menanna]

Hhhmm, shower curtain is certainly an idea to research though I'm looking for the white sheer appearance and am thinking tulle sounds like a great option. Tulle would also be much easier to sew into the tail and fluke than a shower curtain would. Thanks! :)

[Mermaid Photine]

Np.
I think a heavy-duty sewing needle would take care of the sewing difficulty, as long as you sew slowly (machine) or use a thimble (hand)

[Blondie]

I think the vinyl might work. Try gluing it with E6000 at the end? Leave some small holes for the water to pass through though. The shower curtain is a good idea as well!!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Thank goodness for this thread :) I just got the chance to pick up some swimsuit fabric from my far far away joanns and I am considering adding some fringe to the turquoise fabric.

[Mermaid Menanna]

I'm still leaning towards using the tulle because I think it will give me the effect I'm looking for. (sheer, shimmering, and not too stiff) Unfortunately I think that means I'm going to have to cut and stitch each strand of the fringe because I don't have access to a serger or anything like that. I'm planning to do this on my cheap sewing machine and am already sweating, wondering if it's going to hold up.

[ShyMer]

I could probably look it up myself, but I'm lazy right now; what if you used a candle or some other heat source to fuse the edges of your tulle instead of sewing? If it's a synthetic fiber, which is what I'm questioning, it should melt together with some heat. I don't know what it's look like of if it'd hold up well enough, but it might be easier than having to sew each strip individually.

[Mermaid Menanna]

Not sure if tulle is highly flammable or not... maybe I can use the fabric paint to help seal edges while adding some color to the fringe? It would work like a glue for something like that I think. Maybe will have to try it on a scrap and see what happens. I'm kinda liking that idea.

[ShyMer]

oh, paint sounds like a good idea