Making My First Seashell Top!

[Mermaid Hamant]

I am going to attempt to make myself a seashell-swim top. These are my supplies so far... I'm still in the ideas stage, but I hope to get started soon! :)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/11/5eme8are.jpg

[Mermaid Kelda]

Looks great! And I love the colour of the bra! :)

[Mermaid Hamant]

Looks great! And I love the colour of the bra! :)

Thanks!!! It's going to be mostly covered up, but I wanted a color that would match (hopefully) the new tail I'm getting from Fishbutts.

[MermaidBrittany]

Good luck! Can't wait to see how it turns out! Did you buy the top new or is it an old swim top? Oh, and where did you get the netting?

[Mermaid Hamant]

Good luck! Can't wait to see how it turns out! Did you buy the top new or is it an old swim top? Oh, and where did you get the netting?
Thanks! I bought the top new from Target. The netting is from Michaels.

[Disfusional]

Awesome!!! Please post progress photos. I love viewing mers progress for top and tails. :)

[Mermaid Hamant]

I will post progress photos.
Question: Does anybody have any tips for how to attach fish netting to stretchy swimming top straps without it ripping or falling off when in use? I was thinking of either gluing or stitching it on.
Here is an example of how I'm thinking of doing it: 10118

[MerEmma]

Sewing it seems like the best idea. A brown string going around the little pieces that create the holes, perhaps?

[Mermaid Hamant]

Sewing it seems like the best idea. A brown string going around the little pieces that create the holes, perhaps?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Thanks! :)

[Mermaid Hamant]

Ok! Update time... I have decided to go with no netting on the straps. The color of them will (hopefully) match my new tail anyway. I have been playing around with the greenery I bought. Thoughts?
Sparse look:
10251
Fuller look:
10252

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Hey.. heres a tip before you glue downthe shell...

1) Get a helper first...
2) put on the top.
3)get helper to make sure shell is set right.
4) Once in position glue the center of the shell down (hotglue works realy good)
5) Once center of shell is down. take off top and fill in greenery with E6000 or other strong flixible glue. Hot glue works also.

Main reason to do that with top on... if your busty... glueingit down without it being on can remove some of the cup space for your breast.
This is a personal experience goof. :D

[Mermaid Hamant]

Hey.. heres a tip before you glue downthe shell...

1) Get a helper first...
2) put on the top.
3)get helper to make sure shell is set right.
4) Once in position glue the center of the shell down (hotglue works realy good)
5) Once center of shell is down. take off top and fill in greenery with E6000 or other strong flixible glue. Hot glue works also.

Main reason to do that with top on... if your busty... glueingit down without it being on can remove some of the cup space for your breast.
This is a personal experience goof. :D

Haha yeah, I was going to do that, after you told me that in the video chat. Put the greenery on after though? Wouldn't that be more difficult?

[MerEmma]

How'd it go? :)

[spottedcatfish]

what are those shells called?

[spottedcatfish]

I'm looking up the supplies online and having some difficulty finding them. Can you give links to the items you are using for your bra?

[Mermaid Hamant]

Sorry guys! I actually haven't been able to make it yet. I've been busy with the end of the school semester. As soon as I'm done with my finals it is getting made!

And spotted, they are called Lion's Paw shells. I bought mine from Murdoch's in Galveston, but I'm pretty sure you could find them somewhere closer or maybe online. The swimming top I got from Target, and the greenery I got from Michael's. I don't remember the exact names that they were.

[Mermaid Hamant]

I FINALY got it started!
Putting the shells on: 13026
Adding netting:
13027
More pics to come as I get it done! :)

[Kumori Kitsune]

Looking good Im trying to make one for a cosplay

[Mermaid Hamant]

Looking good Im trying to make one for a cosplay

Thanks! :)
I hope that goes well! I'm not used to doing anything craft-related, so it's been interesting trying to do this. Haha

[Kumori Kitsune]

Thanks! :)
I hope that goes well! I'm not used to doing anything craft-related, so it's been interesting trying to do this. Haha
thank you it looks great what I'm doing is kinda basic for now but thanks it means alot.

[Scilla Mermaid]

Looking forward to it~

[Mermaid Hamant]

Looking forward to it~

Thanks. :) I actually got as much done as I'm going to do for now. It's really simple, but I like it. I took it for a test run down at the beach, but one of the lion's paw shells came off so I have to re-glue it. 13330
By the way... LOVE your profile pic! Pichi! <3

[Scilla Mermaid]

Thanks. :) I actually got as much done as I'm going to do for now. It's really simple, but I like it. I took it for a test run down at the beach, but one of the lion's paw shells came off so I have to re-glue it. 13330
By the way... LOVE your profile pic! Pichi! <3


Wow! it totally look super cool i am too concentrate on my tail design totally forget about my top :headwall:

hoho Thank you :P

[Marie-Josie Cayer]

Looks really good! Just can`t wait for final results! Have fun with your project!

[Kumori Kitsune]

13333

It's simple but looks cute I think it is all so for a cosplay.

[Nahla]

what are those shells called?

Lion's Paws. :)

[Mermaid Marissa]

Lion's Paws. :)

The smallish white ones tend to be irish baking shells actually. They are also lighter than lion paws

[mike121]

Ok! Update time... I have decided to go with no netting on the straps sale of decorative seashell (http://www.obxstore.com/seashell-store/). The color of them will (hopefully) match my new tail anyway. I have been playing around with the greenery I bought. Thoughts?
Sparse look:
10251
Fuller look:
10252

Beautiful shells for making jewelry.