2-way stretch fabric?

[MermaidBrandie]

I want to make my first mermaid tail, just something simple with a mahina fin as the fluke. But all the fabrics I want are two way stretch, and I'm not sure if that would work well. I'd only be swimming in pools, but I want it to be comfortable.

The fabrics I'm looking at are sequined fabric like this: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/10556

I think it would make a georgous beginner tail, but I'm just not sure if it would work...

[MerEmma]

Unfortunately two-way stretch doesn't seem to work well from what I heard, it's not recommended it all. I plan to one day make a gorgeous walking mermaid costume with some two-way stretch fabric, but I don't think it'd be good for swimming at all. :c

[Mermaid Fenicia]

Most of my tails are made in 2-way stretch velvet and the swim very well :) You just need to see that the stretch is side-ways and not up & down. Also you have to make the tail a little longer at first and shorten it after you tried it on with your monofin in it ;)

[MermaidBrandie]

Most of my tails are made in 2-way stretch velvet and the swim very well :) You just need to see that the stretch is side-ways and not up & down. Also you have to make the tail a little longer at first and shorten it after you tried it on with your monofin in it ;)
oh, awesome! I'm so glad to hear that! Stretch velvet? really? lol would've have thought of that for a mermaid tail! I'll double check that stretch, thank you so much!

[theoceanblue]

I love the fabric! I'm not sure about the two way stretch, but I will warn you about a beginner mistake I made... The fabric you are looking at is a polyester-spandex blend, as was the first tail I made. Let's just say that tail was used about...mmm...maybe three times before retiring it to just the hot tub :D... Polyester is very heavy in water, and so my tail was quite heavy (I am a very strong swimmer, and it was heavy)! Especially for that price, I do NOT recommend it. I see you are trying to capture a "scales" look, I would try this instead.....http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/10822

It's half the price, and the right blend (nylon-spandex). It also comes in many colors! I did hear that holographic fabric doesn't hold up very well in chlorine, but i suppose it is up to how often you use it and where you use it! I just thought I would let you know that!

I hope this helps!!!

[MermaidBrandie]

I love the fabric! I'm not sure about the two way stretch, but I will warn you about a beginner mistake I made... The fabric you are looking at is a polyester-spandex blend, as was the first tail I made. Let's just say that tail was used about...mmm...maybe three times before retiring it to just the hot tub :D... Polyester is very heavy in water, and so my tail was quite heavy (I am a very strong swimmer, and it was heavy)! Especially for that price, I do NOT recommend it. I see you are trying to capture a "scales" look, I would try this instead.....http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/10822

It's half the price, and the right blend (nylon-spandex). It also comes in many colors! I did hear that holographic fabric doesn't hold up very well in chlorine, but i suppose it is up to how often you use it and where you use it! I just thought I would let you know that!

I hope this helps!!!
I saw that fabric...no offense but it's really ugly imo. ugh, is there anyone that makes the right type of fabric with sequins covering the WHOLE thing? I've found some fabric with sequins on it that has like...little swirly trails made from the sequins and fabric that has sequins that don't overlap each other but that's not what I'm looking for... :(

i would love a silicone tail but being landlocked and only wanting this tail for fun, I don't want to spend that much money on it. :(

[MerEmma]

I don't think anyone has really found many sequin-sewn fabrics already done. You'd have to find something meant for making swimsuits--I've seen sequin bikinis before but they're quite rare. I wish you luck!

[Azurin Luna]

I found some fabric with sequins already on it, but I have no idea of the quality as I don't have it
http://www.bigzfabric.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=204_378
And another one:
http://www.e-fabricstore.com/en/2-products/p/308-countless-sequins-fabric-purple

I googled fabric with sequins, it takes some time but you can find fully covered sequin fabrics that way. Good luck :)

[MermaidBrandie]

I don't think anyone has really found many sequin-sewn fabrics already done. You'd have to find something meant for making swimsuits--I've seen sequin bikinis before but they're quite rare. I wish you luck! thanks. I hope I do find some, I'm also gonna keep an eye on the classified section here. Maybe I'll get lucky :)

[MerMarla]

I found some sequin fabrics at Joann Fabrics. $40.00 per yard. The sequins were in different shapes. One bolt of turquoise - the sequins were tiny rectangles. Another bolt, black, was oval sequins. The third one I found at a different Joanns, was shiny silver, like chrome. This one was also in oval shaped sequins. Different stores carry different stock.

The sequins were punched at the top or narrowest end. They were stitched on fairly snugly from row to row, and side by side. No real gaps except when you moved the fabric. They were stitched on tulle netting, which had some "give", I hesitate to call it stretch, because it didn't stretch and return well. The fabric also was relatively sheer, so backing it with some solid fabric, like a spandex would be necessary. Tulle is also scratchy against your skin, lining it would be a consideration, I'm not sure how much the tulle would catch on the spandex, so test it first. Also, the bolts say they are 59 inches wide. Ha! the selvages are at least 3 inches wide, so plan on 54" instead. Also, check which way the tulle stretches, it's 2-way, but really isn't what we have come to know as stretch fabrics, like lycra.

I think this would still make a good "dry" Mer tail, decorations or accessories, and if you can wait for Joann's to issue the 50% off coupons for a single yardage cut, you could save a bundle. Have fun!

[mollythemermaid]

I want to make my first mermaid tail, just something simple with a mahina fin as the fluke. But all the fabrics I want are two way stretch, and I'm not sure if that would work well. I'd only be swimming in pools, but I want it to be comfortable.

The fabrics I'm looking at are sequined fabric like this: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/10556

I think it would make a georgous beginner tail, but I'm just not sure if it would work...

Hi Mermaid Brandie!

I would actually recommend avoiding sequin fabric if you plan to swim in your tail. The fabric can get heavy, not to mention expensive if you make a whole tail with it. Usually the base fabric isn't stretchy which would make it hard to get in and out of. There are plenty of things to do with mermaid sequin fabric though!

Check out my recent MERMAID SEQUIN FABRIC (http://www.everythingmermaid.com/mermaid-sequin-fabric/) post for some ideas. Good luck!

42527

[MermaidBrandie]

Hi Mermaid Brandie!

I would actually recommend avoiding sequin fabric if you plan to swim in your tail. The fabric can get heavy, not to mention expensive if you make a whole tail with it. Usually the base fabric isn't stretchy which would make it hard to get in and out of. There are plenty of things to do with mermaid sequin fabric though!

Check out my recent MERMAID SEQUIN FABRIC (http://www.everythingmermaid.com/mermaid-sequin-fabric/) post for some ideas. Good luck!

42527Actually this is an old post. I did make a tail out of that sequin fabric.... Two? Years ago. It did not get heavy and held up very well.

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