Hannah Fraser's Tails

[Winged Mermaid]

As you know, Hannah Fraser graced us all with her presence at the mermaid convention this year! I think most of us would agree that Hannah has defiantly lead the way in creative personalized [neoprene] tails. She's inspired many people with her designs and passion for DIY tail making.

Her latest tails are very stunning- neoprene tails COVERED in thousands of sequins! Pictures truly don't do them justice. In pictures they say "sequins", in person they look like real iridescent scales!

We know a bit about Hannah's tails from her FAQ (http://www.hannahfraser.com/mermaid/slippages/faq.php). She uses a finis competitor cut to shape, neoprene, screen printing ink, stainless steel zipper, shredded vinyl floor matting for ect. However she doesn't adhere her monofins inside her tails anymore for mold/mildew reasons. Instead she puts a zipper in the bottom so she can take it in and out and let the tail dry out completely.

At the VIP Party she left her tails and tops out for everyone to look at! I was like a girl in a candy shop completely geeking out about her when I saw her, then her tails later! Everyone was taking pictures, so I snapped a few as well, lending some insight into a better neoprene tail. Plus they're just awesome mermaid eye candy!

The pictures are HUGE, which in this case I think is a good thing. Therefore I'm going to post thumbnails- so click on them to go to the larger image! Click once for bigger picture, and again for the full (huge) picture size. Also you can look via the Photobucket album here (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ20).

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1054.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1054.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_293139_2254132963782_1562048900_32435286_579542 0_n.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=293139_2254132963782_1562048900_32435286_5 795420_n.jpg)

Tops:

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1146.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1146.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1147.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1147.jpg)

Strapless bras decorated. The shell sequins on the 2nd top is what covers both the tails.

Blue/green sequin tail:

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1172.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1172.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1142.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1142.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1167.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1167.jpg)

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1140.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1140.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1173.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1173.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1161.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1161.jpg)

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1162.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1162.jpg)

As you can see there is a belt at the top. It's elastic and has a slim style clasp. Since the pictures don't show it very well it's similar to this belt here (http://mernetwork.com/s/p_10153_12605_088J5716000P?i_cntr=1313556632376).

White/purple sequin tail:

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1169.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1169.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1143.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1143.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1168.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1168.jpg)

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1145.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1145.jpg)http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1144.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1144.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1141.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1141.jpg)

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1166.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1166.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1165.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1165.jpg) http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1164.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1164.jpg)
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/th_IMG_1163.jpg (http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc227/winged_mermaid/Other Mermaids/Hannah Mermaid/Hannah Fraser Tail/?action=view&current=IMG_1163.jpg)

The fins are made from vinyl floor matting. You can see that it is a lot thicker cut than you would believe from pictures. I myself had gone at some matting with a razor knife here recently trying to get it super thin, but this is much neater. There is a zipper at the bottom to take the monofin in and out, hidden by the bottom fins. You can see that there are circular patches of white velcro to hold the fins together, especially the dorsal fin.



I really have to admire her for all her hard work, especially on these two tails. I can't even imagine how many sequins are on one of those tails, and all of them hand sewn. When you see the tail up close you see that the sequins break off, fracture, chip, and separate from their iridescent film covering. Meaning that she has to do hand repairs constantly to keep them looking good. It just blows my mind she would make one tail and say that she loved doing it so much she would make another one! Simply amazing.

[MermaidSaku]

Wow!! I had no idea what it really looked like up close!! This is so amazing i can tell she must have put in Billions of hard work, to sew all of those sequins to the neoprene. That is insane work. : 0
I would love to use sequins but i tend to poke myself a lot with needles. They don't make thimbles for all 10 fingers. ;-;

[Selene]

Bless your big winged heart Iona! Thank you for posting!

[ide]

This is great, thank you so much for sharing. I am about to embark on my first tail-making quest, and this is quite inspirational.

[taom]

Holy moly. I have seen those tails before but never up close like that. Until now, I had not realized how intense the creation of those really was. I wonder if sequins falling off is a real problem for her? I also wonder if there is some way of putting something on the sequins so that they are a little more durable...

This is awesome! Thanks Winged Mermaid!

[Mermaid Luna]

I LOVE you for posting this! Oh WOW, her tails are so intricate and vibrantly original! Thanks, Iona!

[inactive account]

Is Hannah alright with this Winged Mermaid? I mean she hasent shared that much about her tails in the past, does she not mind you telling us all about her tails?:p x

[Blaze]

Thank you SOOOOOO much for posting these! I plan to make a fully sequined tail someday just like this but in different shades. Really like the pics especially the one where you can see the stitches inside. Oi, the handwork involved in these!

Where was that link for buying the clam sequins in bulk again?

[MermaidAubrin]

Wow beautiful tail!

[AniaR]

so amazing to learn- if she or Kariel ever decided to make and sell tails they'd made a killing Im sure

[Mermaid Jewel]

Wow that is a lot of sequins! They look amazing close up! I've always wondered what the looked like close up so thank you for posting these pictures :) I've always thought about sewing on scales but I wonder if there's something like those sequins that's maybe more durable...?

[Winged Mermaid]

Is Hannah alright with this Winged Mermaid? I mean she hasent shared that much about her tails in the past, does she not mind you telling us all about her tails?:p x

I didn't get to talk to her that night, but I don't know why she wouldn't be okay with it. She did leave them out for people to look at. Also before that she had been telling people about how she does her tails- from comments on YouTube videos, to her FAQ, to her talking at length to people at the Silverton (like the conversation about the fluke zipper that came up because someone was saying they were having problems with their fluke smelling and not drying completely).

Also it's not like there are any big trade secrets in here. Most of the information was already out there. Only thing that I didn't know about until I got up close and personal with the tails was the belt. People have tried to copy Hannah (mostly her blue tail) and failed so many times. People can know about it and can see it and try and copy it, but they will never come close to a true Hannah Fraser tail. To me that just proves that everyone needs to be original and creative if they want a tail to look it's best, and not try and carbon copy someone.

[Blaze]

Wow that is a lot of sequins! They look amazing close up! I've always wondered what the looked like close up so thank you for posting these pictures :) I've always thought about sewing on scales but I wonder if there's something like those sequins that's maybe more durable...?

You'd be surprised how durable good sequins are. Sewn on with good thread (I like button or upholstery thread) and treated with the right care they last years!

[Aquatarian]

Thanks so much for posting. I had come to points when making my neoprene tail where I had no idea to go but thanks to this I think I can move on and hopefully finish. And I'm all for the no copying thing I was just wondering what to do with zippers and attaching monofins or not. These pictures answered all my questions. And on top of that, they are gorgeous!!!!!

I had no idea she had put so much detail in BY HAND, this makes her all the more epic.

[MermaidRaven]

does she glue the floor matting to the tail for the dorsal fin or sew it? I have to hand sew mine its such a pain.

[MermaidTamara]

Waahhh! I love you!!!! ;)
I love her tails and ever wana know how they are made! Thank you so much!!!!

[courtneymermaid]

I understand where you are coming from with your explanation for why you felt OK taking detailed pics of Hannah's tail and posting them for the world to see... I'm a little disappointed that you've done this without asking her permission though. It was really nice of her to let you all look at her tails up close, but I don't know if she meant for you to be using her methods as a blueprint for your own...

[ivoryleopard]

Oh wow that's amazing! The tails I have now are made by me, but I would love to do the amount of detail work that Hannah has done on her's!

[ivoryleopard]

Crimson Vision, I googled shell sequins and found a site that has a bunch of different colors. I'm like a kid in a candy store looking through the many many choices! They are probably not the same as Hannah's but they look awesome!

http://www.ccartwright.com/shells.html

[Mermaid Jewel]

Yeah I was on that site looking! :) I'm so excited about them!

@courtneymermaid- Hannah has been very open about how her tails are made. She has some details on her website.

[courtneymermaid]

@Mermaid Jewel: Yes, I am aware that on her site she does post information. I just think checking in with her first - to make sure she doesn't mind - is a courteous thing to do is all...

[AniaR]

I don't know if she meant for you to be using her methods as a blueprint for your own...
If she was not sharing her tail making tips in allowing photos, questions, and discussion with active mermaids who strive to make tails- what was she doing then?

Courtney, I dont think it's up to you to worry about or intervene in. Hannah knows people were taking photos, she was showing people the inside of her tail, and explaining her process to everyone from what I understand from a lot of people- since just about everyone started posting about it on FB, writing about it in the chat, and this thread. A lot of this information was also given out by her previously. She took the time to answer very specific questions- she knows photos and information are out there. I would feel that taking it upon yourself to search out permission for materials that are essentially now public domain a bit meddlesome as opposed to courteous- and certainly a bit insulting and assuming toward winged mermaid. I dont say that to be rude to you or demean you in any way, I say that after seeing the WMA situation and recommend it as cautionary advice, and also as someone who has every intention of helping things and people out herself and ends up meddling instead. If Hannah wasn't okay, she would not leave her tails for everyone to look through, encourage photos (which are legally winged mermaid's property and perfectly legal according to photojournalism laws) answer detailed specific questions, or explain specific mechanisms (i.e. the zipper in the fluke to avoid mildew)

[AniaR]

she also knows the forum exists and that we all post on it.

[Mermaid Marla]

Oh you did a fabulous job on your post Mer Iona! I was afraid to touch her tails...don't know why - ha ha! Glad you cleared some stuff up like that belt! That is genious and I am definitely going to insert those into mine since I don't have any hips to hold my tails up - LOL! I was going to do the zipper thing at the bottom also but was wondering if her fluke gathered water. I have a terrible time with that so I had decided to glue mine together, but I think only the tails with latex/silicone have this problem. Shoot, I should have asked her while I had the chance then! I'm going to assume that because her tails are neoprene only that the water flows thru like it does with my wetsuits... Thanks again!!!

[Blaze]

Crimson Vision, I googled shell sequins and found a site that has a bunch of different colors. I'm like a kid in a candy store looking through the many many choices! They are probably not the same as Hannah's but they look awesome!

http://www.ccartwright.com/shells.html

Yup, I found that after I posted actually. :D Someday! (My 'someday' list for costumes.... oh it's so long...)

[ivoryleopard]

Yup, I found that after I posted actually. :D Someday! (My 'someday' list for costumes.... oh it's so long...)

I know that feeling. I still sew as a hobby but I had to drop it for a while to get my other hobbies queues down (I have yarn balls falling out of my closet). Which sucks since there are clothes that I do want to make.

[courtneymermaid]

It with that Raina, I'm done.

[LindseyLu]

#1 - How absolutely sweet and generous of Hannah to be so willing to let everyone handle and see her tails up close!!! I think I would have died had I been there!!! I was wondering if she would...I know she wasn't that pleased by others trying copy her blue tail. But as someone else had mentioned in this post earlier, I don't care who you are or how crafty you may be, you got nothin on Hannah Fraser's tail making skills. Use a million sequins, same exact supplies...I guarantee you it won't have that special touch she seems to give to everything she makes! <3

#2 - Winged Mermaid you are so awesome to share these pics with all of us! I can't thank you enough!!! When I was begging people who were attending to please post pics I couldn't have hoped for such spectacular results!!! <3 You are so awesome, thank you again for thinking of the rest of us who couldn't make it!!! <3<3<3

[mermaid hannah]

those shell sequines im buying some how many packs to fill a tail do you think
?

[MermaidTamara]

maybe 200-300 pro color?!

[Mermaid Saphira]

I LOVE the turquoise holgraphic sequins! How cool is that? Wish i had the time, the skills and the money to do a sequin tail

[mermaid hannah]

i think i am going to buckle down and make a sequin tail, iv got all the time in the world. if and when i start ill let you know how it goes!

[mermaid hannah]

packs or sequins?!

[taom]

Meremily: I found a couple of places that I think (hope) will work better for you. First, I found an etsy site that has all manner of colors. The only problem is that, for the most part, she sells the sequins by color. However, since it is an etsy seller, I am positive that she would make a special listing for a mixed bag for you.

Link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenartist1?section_id=6158880

Next, I have a mail order site that sells multi colors shell sequins, with all the colors mixed up. The only thing is that they don't really show you the colors, so you are sort of taking a chance there.

Link: http://www.mailorder-beads.co.uk/shop/multi-coloured-shaped-sequins-9909-multi-shells.html

Last, I found a site that sells the shell sequins as Christmas decoration ideas (???). They also say that their sequins come in a myriad of colors but, again, you can't really see them.

Link: http://wisdom-tree.en.alibaba.com/product/452191017-0/shell_shape_sequins.html

I hope that helps!!

[meremily]

hi!! im looking for shell sequins but to make a top. since i will not need a lot but i need vibrant colors, do somebodys has a place that can recommend me? im from canada so i saw the cc site but i have to buy for 25 dollars since im international . i need like a multicolored bag... thanks guys

[Mermaid Sirena]

Thank you for the photo's! I'm happy to see that a waist band works for tails, I had been thinking about putting one in my experimental tail as I had seen several DIY tutorials for keeping blue jeans to stay fitted to your back with elastic wais bands sown to the back so no one would know. I'm really happy that's one less thing I have to experiment with :) Thank you so much <3

[MermanJV]

Her tails.... so inspiring.... I wish I could've seen them in person.

[StaySea]

funny, I was just thinking about her sequin tails and how I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw photographs of her tails from this event. I had bought some of both kinds of sequins a few years ago and threw out the idea of making a tail with them, they seemed too delicate. Wow, so generous of her - I'm sure she thinks more power to anyone else who would commit to trying to making an all sequin tail, I'm sure that is so labor intensive! I would have loved to see her blue tail in person, I hope she didn't cover it with sequins, what an exquisite peice of artwork, especially the fin, she is so insanely talented. thank you so much for sharing, especially about the fin, I was just about to try and glue my fin in, so glad i found this thread! Well, at least now I don't have to commit my fin to one tail!

[Neria]

Wow! Those tails are absolutley beautiful! I am going to try and make a sequin soon. Hopefully I can have it done by summer.

[michellerobison]

I found some on Ebay...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/240pcs-Shell-Sequins-8-Holographic-Colors-Craft-/220629669717?pt=UK_Crafts_Embellishments_SM&hash=item335e8d9755

[Mermaid Marla]

I'm having a hard time finding the floor matting in clear with the corrugated stripes like Hannah's... Anybody been able to locate some?

[LindseyLu]

On her FB page she said she was having a hard time finding it lately too :( I hope it's not discontinued!

[Mermaid Photine]

Not the same, but the hobby lobby near me sells uphlostery vinyl. The sort of stuff my grandmother used on the dinner table seat cushions. I need to test how well it takes paints, but it could be a possibility.

[Nim]

This thread answered all my questions.
I have a Mertailor's tail and I want to rebuild it (the tail is new,but Mr Ducharm send me an unusable (latex) tail :( -1000$ thrown away-).
Maybe it's better to make a new one…But…For You is possible to cut in the back the mertailor's tail and put a zip with the fin like Miss Hannah?

[Winged Mermaid]

This thread answered all my questions.
I have a Mertailor's tail and I want to rebuild it (the tail is new,but Mr Ducharm send me an unusable (latex) tail :( -1000$ thrown away-).
Maybe it's better to make a new one…But…For You is possible to cut in the back the mertailor's tail and put a zip with the fin like Miss Hannah?

So sorry to hear this Nim :( Unfortunatly there are others this has happened to as well. If you post about your tail (in a new thread please) we may be able to help you with it, perhaps make it it useable. Last time I checked, Mertailor doesn't use proper neoprene in his "latex" tails, which means the stretch is minimal and makes it very hard to form fit and makes swimming difficult (more than it should be). To answer your question, several people have found that they can get a more form fitting and secure tail if they install a zipper in the back of those tails. The ones I've seen who do this do put a dorsal fin to cover it. You can do it with the matting like you see here, or you can make one with latex or latex based caulking and neoprene. You can find the process for applying latex or caulking on neoprene on How To Guides (http://mernetwork.com/index/content.php?135-Tutorials-and-How-to-Guides)page and also in the Making tails with ALEX thread (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?553-Archive-quot-Using-ALEX-for-Tails-quot).

[Nim]

Thank you so so so much Winged Mermaid =^w^=

[Mermaid Nyla]

I have found a website with the frosted vinyl matting is large sheets! You can even choose the gauge thickness! How cool! I'm going with my mom to home depot later next week to see if they have anything like this in stock, but I don't think they do....
Here is the site!
http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/vinyl-fabric/clear-vinyl-fabric/8-gauge-frosted-vinyl-fabric-.htm
Unfortunatly it doesn't have the corrugated stripes like Hannah's but its the same stuff

[koiboi]

i kinda like the ridged look of the vinyl for some reason it looks more like fins to me.

[Mermaid Nyla]

^ yeah same here. All the bumps and ridges in hannah's flukes make it seem more fish like....

[Aquatarian]

I am so happy I am not alone in this. I have been searching everywhere for that ribbed vinyl she used. I have only come across a few similar products but they all have problems with them:

- The first one I found is used mainly as a garage floor liner. It's clear, pretty thick (which I think would give any fins a good flow under the water), PLUS it's ribbed (just like Hannah's) which makes it look kind of like the veins of a fish.

1933

There's a link where you can purchase it here (http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/garage/clear-vinyl-rolls.html?utm_source=PriceGrabber) and there are also a few other places to purchase it on the internet BUT, it can only be purchased in large amounts, because like I said, it is supposed to be used to cover garage floors. So when all is said and done the cheapest you can get is anywhere from $250 to $300. :/ And then you would have a TON of it leftover once you've used it for any fins.

-This next one I came across at Home Depot. It's pretty cheap (only a few dollars). And you can find it pretty much anywhere from Big Lots to Walmart to a hardware store.

http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/011W444874810001?hei=315&wid=315&op_sharpen=1&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0
The only catch it that it is thin (too thin for my taste) and flimsy. It worries me that it could split apart or degrade easily, which isn't the best if you want a long lasting tail. :/

- This last one I found while at Target. It seems to be the perfect size and thickness. It even has a ribbed pattern but...

http://i.tfcdn.com/img2/CLtPIUEAY5r8r8kwPy0tMzmVIaOkpMBKXz81uUIvMzcxPbVYNz E3sSo_Ty85P1cfIqLvqW9s6GUaYJqla5nqo5dVkA4A/fyVMtP8A
it's completely BLACK and opaque. So this wouldn't work unless you are making a dark tail.

So I'm kind of at a loss. I've tried researching the companies that produce each of these items to see if they make a more affordable, thicker, or clear product but no dice. :/

[Winged Mermaid]

I'll dig around the net and see if I can find that stuff that you don't have to buy in bulk. If there isn't any place that will do that, maybe we should take tally of many people want this and how much. I know I was hoping to use it to cover some zippers as well.

[koiboi]

hmmmm maybe try ebay ? if anyone would be selling some leftovers after a DIY project of some kind- sidenote thanks a MIL Aqua for finding the actually material in any event, i think it really gives a realistic finish to Hannah's tails.

[Mermaid Nyla]

I've found some ribbed vinyl lining, and its moderately thick. but not so much that it will be stiff when i swim in it. i found a package thats 4ft by 20 inches which will be nice cuz i can cut the 20 inches in half for the other side on the fin in order to cover the zipper....if that made sense.
so i decided to buy it since it was only 10$ plus shipping. :) i will post pictures when i get it so you guys can see thickness of the sheet the the ribs itself. hopefully that'll help any of you. it should be coming next week.

[Mermaid Photine]

Is this vinyl fringe paintable? I would love the idea of a dorsal/pectoral fin that fades away from the tail's colour.

[Mermaid Nyla]

yeah I'm sure it would be paintable. well thats what my mom says anyway. i'll experiment with it when it gets here. :)
here is the site i got it from...
http://www.menards.com/main/housewares/shelf-liners/contact-paper/clear-ribbed-shelf-liner/p-1406049.htm

[Mermaid Photine]

Awesome! I await the results! ^_^

[Spindrift]

Head's up: vinyl isn't traditionally paintable because it's supposed to repel moisture. Perhaps if you were just to coat it with thick acrylic paint (and no water), it might work.

[Spindrift]

I am so happy I am not alone in this. I have been searching everywhere for that ribbed vinyl she used. I have only come across a few similar products but they all have problems with them:

- The first one I found is used mainly as a garage floor liner. It's clear, pretty thick (which I think would give any fins a good flow under the water), PLUS it's ribbed (just like Hannah's) which makes it look kind of like the veins of a fish.

1933

There's a link where you can purchase it here (http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/garage/clear-vinyl-rolls.html?utm_source=PriceGrabber) and there are also a few other places to purchase it on the internet BUT, it can only be purchased in large amounts, because like I said, it is supposed to be used to cover garage floors. So when all is said and done the cheapest you can get is anywhere from $250 to $300. :/ And then you would have a TON of it leftover once you've used it for any fins.



If someone could confirm that this is the correct kind of matting/not too thick and not too thin, we could as a community set up a system to chip in money (proportional to how much you will be getting), buy a set, and share it among us.

[Aquatarian]

^ I would not object to that. Someone needs to get a swatch or something.

[Mermaid Photine]

Head's up: vinyl isn't traditionally paintable because it's supposed to repel moisture. Perhaps if you were just to coat it with thick acrylic paint (and no water), it might work.

What about if the surface was roughed a bit? Perhaps a go with sandpaper or something? Would this help?

[Merman Ray]

Those are some very nice looking tails.

[Mermaid Marla]

I purchased some of that shelf lining and it seems to be working fairly well. I already put some on my gold tail and it looks great! Haven't tested it in the water yet tho.

[Mermaid Nyla]

k, i got the vinyl in the mail today and began experimenting with it. well, nothing stays on it. i tried sharpie and acrylic paint, but they wouldn't stay on. the paint took more to get off though. about20 or so rubs and it was pretty much gone. even when i thickly coated and let it sit...
well i was happy with the thickness. its not to thin that it can rip easily. i tried ripping it but its pretty much impossible unless your pulling on a tiny strip. but its thick enough that when you do cut mini strips along the ribs, it flows nicely in the water without being to stiff. i wish the ribs were farther away, but its not all that bad.
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I've already started to cut it out and add it to the fluke of the tail I'm working on at the moment. just make sure you get the right measurements when you order it. i learned the hard way...
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[Nim]

Nyoro…Wow!!!

[Mermaid Nyla]

Nyoro…Wow!!!
thank you ^-^

[LittleAmy]

This is my dream post *_*
Thank you so much ^^

[Mermaid Karin]

Omg.. They are so beautiful.. <3 *0*

[Mermaid Narina]

I just checked on that site for shell sequins back near the start and WOW! There are soooo many types, I dont know what to choose! I want all of them ! :D
The vinyl strips ideas seems really cool, tell us how it goes in the water when you try it! And also, how did you attach it?

[Mermaid Lira]

It's really a crazy work ! O_O I began to do that but drawing all the scales one by one, the cuting one by one and finally gluing one by one and I finally stopped at 400 scales ! (normally it should be 2000)

[Ess]

I recently contacted her on a price quote for one of her tails, She said they start around 3k. x.x Not that it wouldn't be worth it, but damn! XD My ONLY concern is that i would not want to wear it outside of the pool, just because of the way the scales are, i would be so scared to bend or damage them x.x I wouldn't even feel comfortable letting my tail hit the bottom of the pool or sit on ANYTHING.. so.. im thinking when i make mine, i'll just put a few scales on here and there. Since my first one will be painted neoprene anyway. this is really awesome though to see her tails up-close. :}

[MermaidAliyah]

when and where is the next mermaid convention? i for one am new to this amazing sit pe and just found about mercon about two days ago. I would love to come as soon as i finish my tail. which will be constructed tomorrow after i get my poster board!

[MermaidBonnie]

I wish I saw this thread when I made my sequin tail to save time. Let me tell you sequin tails are awesome!!! Quick tip:cartwright sequins are tiny. You must order thousands of them. Good luck ladies :)

[LittleAmy]

I wonder something, does she sew or glue the sequins on her tails ?

[Spindrift]

I wonder something, does she sew or glue the sequins on her tails ?

She sews them on. I would like to try gluing them though. Perhaps with E6000?

[LittleAmy]

She sews them on. I would like to try gluing them though. Perhaps with E6000?

Ok I think I'll sew them but isn't super dificult to sew on neoprene ?

Do you know how to do ? :$

[Spindrift]

I think it's only hard to sew neoprene to neoprene, like with a sewing machine. When I sewed in my belt by hand to my neoprene tail it was really easy to and soft.

[Mermaid Jewel]

I tried testing gluing sequins with E6000. It might work if you actually let it dry, but I was fiddling with it and the next day I easily pulled it off. The shell sequin shape makes it kinda weird to glue down so. Someone might want to try it! And better than I did haha

[LittleAmy]

I think it's only hard to sew neoprene to neoprene, like with a sewing machine. When I sewed in my belt by hand to my neoprene tail it was really easy to and soft.

I never sew in my entire life but if you can advice me a process I'll be happy to try it ^^
(Sorry I'm a beginner in all :$)

[Spindrift]

@LittleAmy: check out this YouTube video for some hand sewing basics!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2mfJweh8a0

[LittleAmy]

@LittleAmy: check out this YouTube video for some hand sewing basics!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2mfJweh8a0

Thank you so much ^^

[Seamist]

pro tip from 20 years of design....sew those sequins on with a thin fishing line instead of thread. not only does it pull through the layers easier and without tangle, it is stronger over the long term.

[Blondie]

pro tip from 20 years of design....sew those sequins on with a thin fishing line instead of thread. not only does it pull through the layers easier and without tangle, it is stronger over the long term.
That actually makes a lot of sense.

[The Young Mermaid]

Ooooh! I have been trying to find sequins like that!

[LittleAmy]

Did somebody see her new black and white tail ?
It has a silicone fin in it o_O

And a new one is in projet :O

[Mermaid Narina]

Iwould LOVE to make a tail like this!
So for sewing neoprene:
-use a thick upholstry thread and either a strong machine or handsew
-if using a machine, use lube on the needle, and go slow so that it doesnt melt the thread from all the friction
-finish the inside seams with lycra so that it doesnt chaff so much
-you need about 2000 scales if you are using cartwrights O.O (thats alot!!)
-make the monofin removable (dont glue it inside)
-use fishing line thread to sew on the scales

i think thats everything! im just collecting a list of stuff from this thread and the "sewing neoprene"thread :)
is there anything i missed??

[starlite]

Iwould LOVE to make a tail like this!
So for sewing neoprene:
-use a thick upholstry thread and either a strong machine or handsew
-if using a machine, use lube on the needle, and go slow so that it doesnt melt the thread from all the friction
-finish the inside seams with lycra so that it doesnt chaff so much
-you need about 2000 scales if you are using cartwrights O.O (thats alot!!)
-make the monofin removable (dont glue it inside)
-use fishing line thread to sew on the scales

i think thats everything! im just collecting a list of stuff from this thread and the "sewing neoprene"thread :)
is there anything i missed??

For my part i have odered 12 000 sequins and i don't have enought to finish my tail :s

[Mermaid Narina]

For my part i have odered 12 000 sequins and i don't have enought to finish my tail :s
.... whoa........ :O

[MerEmma]

This has kind of become a sequin tail everything thread, hasn't it? Haha. :P My own question is this: is it possible to sew sequins onto a fabric tail (as in, cover it?) everyone here seems to be sewing onto neoprene. Also, is it better in the long run to glue with E6000 (or whatever the glue is :P) or sew?

[MermaidBrittany]

This has kind of become a sequin tail everything thread, hasn't it? Haha. :P My own question is this: is it possible to sew sequins onto a fabric tail (as in, cover it?) everyone here seems to be sewing onto neoprene. Also, is it better in the long run to glue with E6000 (or whatever the glue is :P) or sew?

Neoprene is much sturdier so in the long run its more cost effective and will last longer. As for how to get them on, I am definitely sewing mine because the glue makes the fabric/neoprene very stiff. In addition, they fall off quite a bit I have heard, so they need replacing. The sewing will undoubtedly be time consuming but I personally think its worth it :)

[MerEmma]

Yeah, definitely! I really HATE neoprene myself because I've tried all different thicknesses (I don't know the exact mm though) and I think I'd rather just go with a fabric tail. Thanks for the answer, though. Would fishing line work well for sewing it?

[MermaidBrittany]

Yeah, definitely! I really HATE neoprene myself because I've tried all different thicknesses (I don't know the exact mm though) and I think I'd rather just go with a fabric tail. Thanks for the answer, though. Would fishing line work well for sewing it?

Thats an interesting thought... in all honesty I have absolutely no idea! :) Im sure it would depend on type and thickness and how you sewed them on, but i suppose it may work. :)

I actually did a quick search and I found that some people on the web use it to repair shoes but I couldn't find much else.

[MerEmma]

I was reading on here earlier up on sequin tails (sorry about bumping all those threads...number one rule on another forum I visit is to not bump threads; luckily here that doesn't seem to be a big deal, haha) and someone suggested it. I think it would work really well, and I could easily get some seeing as how my dad is a fisherman. I'm full of questions since I'm considering making one, haha. My next question that you may know the answer to (or anyone with experience) is how precisely do you sew them? Like, I know how to sew. But do you use a long strand of the string/line and do several, or do you do one, tie it off, cut it, get a new piece, so they're all individual?

And I'm not sure if I'd rather use neoprene now, haha. I've read a bit more now and it seems that lycra and those fabrics ruin really easily in chlorine, which I have had experience with in my bathing suits...but neoprene is just so ugh. =\

[Mermaid Melanie]

Hey MerEmma,

I started my neoprene/sequin tail a few weeks back - i got a thin neoprene (1mm is plenty) with the sequins im using I am sewing one and tying it off so each one is individual. My reasoning for this is - if one breaks off, its not a big deal to replace one or two here and there but if they were on the one strand - I would lose strips at a time so I think in the long run its better to do individual!

I am also going to be selling ready made neoprene bases for tails ( check out the classified threat on neoprene tail covers )

Hoping to post pictures of my tail in progress soon ! :)

[MerEmma]

Okay, that totally makes sense. I kind of assumed so, but I wasn't positive. Thanks for the reply! :D I look forward to seeing your progress.

[NerineArcticMermaid]

there is a knoting method you can use but still use a single strand. so theres less work involded by haivng to cut retie and such. I dont know the name of the stick but there is one.

[Mermaid Danielle]

These are amazing! Thanks for posting pictures!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Lovely!

[Mermaid Kenzie]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Con-Tact-Premium-Ribbed-Shelf-Liner-18-x-15-Roll-Clear/20895766 Just found this... I think it's the same stuff Nyla used.. but It's pretty reasonably priced. I think I'll go by a roll soon to see :p

[starlite]

I'm totally in love with her kind of tail, i prefer them to sillicon tail that i made mine all sequined ! It's a long job but i'm really happy of the result. Thanks for sharing your tips.

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[AniaR]

wowza. That is BEAUTIFUL.

[LittleAmy]

I read all you comments and I have something to ask you.
I want to try a neoprene tail too but I'm so scared to sew 2 neoprene pieces or sew the sequins on the neoprene and the neoprene brake.

Have you some tips & tricks for me or do you have some youtube vids to share for me ?

I don't have any sewing machine, I want to do all by hand if it's possible :$

[AniaR]

You should start a thread or look at the tail making reference guide.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[LittleAmy]

where can I find it ?

[Firemaid]

Little Amy,
You can do it all by hand! I actually used wetsuit glue to make my 1'st neoprene tail and it never came apart.
I still have it!
Here is a link to lots of information about how to make a Neoprene ta (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?574-Archive-quot-Sewing-Neoprene-quot)il :)
Good luck on your tail!

[LittleAmy]

I can't stop looking her tail and I always have the same question : She sew SOOO many shells on her tail and she have so few sew marks. Do you think she use a 3mm neoprene like she said AND a tissue layer sew to that neoprene to sew the shells on it ?

I don't want to make the same but I have this interrogation in my mind. Thank you for your answer <3

[PearlieMae]

She probably sews them by hand one at a time.

[Vela]

Wow! That's a lot of sequins! That is really all I can say. I have only recently started looking into mermaid tails and I want to make my own. I have done some research on tails and I have found Hannah's to be the most inspirational. I cannot wait to get started and my own tail. :D

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

i just got my supplies in to make a tail but i got the wrong kind of sequins so can anyone help me with what kind of sequins to get and were to get them from also what type of thread do i use to sew 2mm neoprene???? Plz help!!!!!

[lynsea]

Mermaid_Kenzee, I suggest you search around the "Tailmaking" part of this forum. If you search for "sequins," there is a fair bit of information already available.

[Winged Mermaid]

Also there's a whole section on sequin tails on the Tailmaking Reference Index (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2633-%E2%98%86%E2%9A%A0TAILMAKING-REFERENCE-INDEX%E2%9A%A0%E2%98%86-Look-here-BEFORE-you-post-any-questions!).

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

We're did she get her sequins from I've looked every were!!!!! Help????

[Winged Mermaid]

We're did she get her sequins from I've looked every were!!!!! Help????

Like I said one post up, look in the Tailmaking Reference Index (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2633-%E2%98%86%E2%9A%A0TAILMAKING-REFERENCE-INDEX%E2%9A%A0%E2%98%86-Look-here-BEFORE-you-post-any-questions%21). There's a whole section on sequin tails with lots of sources on where people got their sequins, but you have to read through the threads. Also in this thread (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?7135-Transforming-a-neoprene-tail-in-a-sequin-tail&p=124878&viewfull=1#post124878) where you already commented and she said where she got them and what size, I linked earlier where to get those sizes on the same site she got them (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?7135-Transforming-a-neoprene-tail-in-a-sequin-tail&p=108318&viewfull=1#post108318). If you want it refined to 20mm sequins just type in "shell sequins 20mm (http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?shipCountry=us&shipCompanies=&SearchText=shell+sequins+20mm&exception=&minPrice=&maxPrice=&minQuantity=&maxQuantity=&isFreeShip=n&isFavorite=n&isRtl=n&isOnSale=n&isAtmOnline=n&CatId=0&initiative_id=SB_20140122151724&needQuery=y)" into AliExpress.

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

What's better hand sewing sequins on or glue sequins on with E6000

[Winged Mermaid]

Hand sewing is always better if you do it correctly.

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

Ok thanks and sorry if I'm being a pain I'm just super excited to enter this amazing mermaid world

[Mermaid Clara]

i found ribbed vinyl shelf liner at target for about $6 for a roll 18 inches by 4 feet