Fabric/silicon tails

[Firemaid]

In the past I have used lace to strengthen silicon and keep it from tearing. It works well, but limits stretch.
I know I've seen another option discussed around the forums..
Any suggestions??

[Firemaid]

Anybody?

[Mermaid Photine]

I know it's been suggested elsewhere at some point, but what about lycra? The 4-way stretch or something. Maybe one of those slinky fabrics, or a stretch mesh or lace?

[Mizuko]

I thought some tail makers use a lycra/spandex mesh :) so that it still gives lots of stretch but adds some more durability. That is what I want to use when I finally finish my own silicone tail :)

[Jessica]

I'm new here and I haven't had a chance to introduce myself yet, but I'm working on a full silicone tail and I'm using powermesh. You can find it at Joanns online or in store. It's very stretchy and is used as lining for bathing suits.

It's on sale online right now but they only have red in stock:
http://www.joann.com/performance-fabric-power-mesh-tango-red-/zprd_10655256a/

[merline]

I personally would love to paint latex or silicone on a lycra dress with me wearing it. Keep it on until it dries. Then take it off and add a net/scale texture to it w/ a 2nd coat. I do not like the feeling of neoprene personally. It seems so thick, hard and tough to me. I am wondering if will like silicone over spandex better?...thinner more like skin instead of thick tough hard neoprene. Neoprene feels like too bulky and too much weight too to feel comfy or fluid. Any thoughts?

On a side note, I also do not like how thick some make the fluke either. Take a look at how thin these Thai artists faded the edges of these fins and flukes. you can make it longer just to allow for it to thin to almost paper thickness on the ends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LMuXbHx79A

[MerMarla]

...thinner more like skin instead of thick tough hard neoprene. Neoprene feels like too bulky and too much weight too to feel comfy or fluid. Any thoughts?

On a side note, I also do not like how thick some make the fluke either. Take a look at how thin these Thai artists faded the edges of these fins and flukes. you can make it longer just to allow for it to thin to almost paper thickness on the ends.

Neoprene doesn't need to be 1/4 inch (6mm) wetsuit thickness. You can get it as thin as 0.5mm, double sided nylon included! It's just like a 2nd skin, just a bit more tear-proof than plain spandex, and not as bad on the floating tendency either.

I liked the effect, too, of the Thai tails, the fins and flukes looked great... but the swimmers had a tough time with them, the tails floated too much and the swimmers struggled getting underwater. Maybe part of that was the fluke. It was beautiful, but too flexible, and had almost no propulsion. Flukes needed to be thicker further down and still they could have had the flow effect of thinning edges. Beautiful tails tho! I would love the transparency of them!

(((Hugz))) and Bubble https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/e/B0C'z
Mermaid Marla