New tail project

[Mermaid Marissa]

My friend (who is basically my sister) and I are going to make a fabric tail that we can share. She had the idea that it should be a spandex or neoprene fabric and have a sequin fabric over that. I'm thinking that a heavy weight spandex instead of neoprene because it would easier for us to work with and it's cheaper. It also makes it so you can't really see your legs underwater. Does anyone know where you could buy this kind of fabric? I know that mernation uses heavy spandex in their tails but I don't think they'll tell me where to get it.

[Mernation]

Greetings Marissa! We are happy to share what kind of material we use. We found a heavy nylon/spandex blend that weighs 10.3 oz. It's actually the material they make NFL uniforms out of. We buy ours from Designer Alley fabrics.

Best of luck with your tail! I'm sure it will turn out great!

Thanks!

MerNation, Inc.

[PearlieMae]

Greetings Marissa! We are happy to share what kind of material we use. We found a heavy nylon/spandex blend that weighs 10.3 oz. It's actually the material they make NFL uniforms out of. We buy ours from Designer Alley fabrics.

Best of luck with your tail! I'm sure it will turn out great!

Thanks!

MerNation, Inc.

Nice! I m going to have to try some of that!

I made one last week out of very light spandex, and while it swims beautifully, it shows every detail of my fin, ankles (and panty line!)...I'm a fabric junkie and am going to try virtually everything in my collection. That is, all the fabric that stretches!

Thanks, Mernation, for sharing info! :thumbs up:

[MerMarla]

My friend (who is basically my sister) and I are going to make a fabric tail that we can share. She had the idea that it should be a spandex or neoprene fabric and have a sequin fabric over that. I'm thinking that a heavy weight spandex instead of neoprene because it would easier for us to work with and it's cheaper. It also makes it so you can't really see your legs underwater. Does anyone know where you could buy this kind of fabric? I know that mernation uses heavy spandex in their tails but I don't think they'll tell me where to get it.

Hi Mermaid Marissa,

I sometimes wish there were better organization here, because some of the sources I can't find, so they get repeated in answering threads.... I love to share, so here is where I have purchased Neoprene:

http://www.foamorder.com/neoprene.html

Call them, they are wonderful to work with and will guide you to pick the right neoprene for your use. Basically, you probably only need the 2mm to sew on a home machine (seams make it 4mm, 1/4 inch is = 6mm), some ppl like the 3mm. The greater thickness you go, the more neoprene floats, so if you float easily now with out neoprene, you may need a weight belt. THere are some lovely mers here that make beautiful weight belts from seashells and net. Or you could make them yourself.

I need 4 lbs of weight to be neutrally buoyant at between 5-10 ft. So adding a neoprene tail at 2mm x my long long legs, I will have to add probably another pound to 1 1/2 lbs. You will just have to play with it once you have your tail sewn.

When I swam at Weeki Wachee, we had our tails made from an elastic (no spandex back then) fabric similar to orthopedic elastic, just with Gold fibers woven in (or Silver). Sadly this fabric is no longer made, but even so, our knees and heels still showed thru the fabric, as well as the division of our legs. I think the only way to minimize legs, heels and knees showing dramatically, is the silicone tail. I prefer the spandex because it's similiar to what I swam in 40 years ago!

Good luck with your project! I like the idea of a skin over neoprene... keep us posted as to your progress!

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

[MerMarla]

Greetings Marissa! We are happy to share what kind of material we use. We found a heavy nylon/spandex blend that weighs 10.3 oz. It's actually the material they make NFL uniforms out of. We buy ours from Designer Alley fabrics.

Best of luck with your tail! I'm sure it will turn out great!

Thanks!

MerNation, Inc.


Thank you Mernation for sharing! Its so nice when sources are shared! It's more honest, and shows integrity in my book!

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

[Mermaid Marissa]

Greetings Marissa! We are happy to share what kind of material we use. We found a heavy nylon/spandex blend that weighs 10.3 oz. It's actually the material they make NFL uniforms out of. We buy ours from Designer Alley fabrics.

Best of luck with your tail! I'm sure it will turn out great!

Thanks!

MerNation, Inc.

Thanks so much for sharing this info with me :D I'll give it a try

[Mermaid Marissa]

Hi Mermaid Marissa,

I sometimes wish there were better organization here, because some of the sources I can't find, so they get repeated in answering threads.... I love to share, so here is where I have purchased Neoprene:

http://www.foamorder.com/neoprene.html

Call them, they are wonderful to work with and will guide you to pick the right neoprene for your use. Basically, you probably only need the 2mm to sew on a home machine (seams make it 4mm, 1/4 inch is = 6mm), some ppl like the 3mm. The greater thickness you go, the more neoprene floats, so if you float easily now with out neoprene, you may need a weight belt. THere are some lovely mers here that make beautiful weight belts from seashells and net. Or you could make them yourself.

I need 4 lbs of weight to be neutrally buoyant at between 5-10 ft. So adding a neoprene tail at 2mm x my long long legs, I will have to add probably another pound to 1 1/2 lbs. You will just have to play with it once you have your tail sewn.

When I swam at Weeki Wachee, we had our tails made from an elastic (no spandex back then) fabric similar to orthopedic elastic, just with Gold fibers woven in (or Silver). Sadly this fabric is no longer made, but even so, our knees and heels still showed thru the fabric, as well as the division of our legs. I think the only way to minimize legs, heels and knees showing dramatically, is the silicone tail. I prefer the spandex because it's similiar to what I swam in 40 years ago!

Good luck with your project! I like the idea of a skin over neoprene... keep us posted as to your progress!

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

Thanks so much for sharing! I know exactly what you mean by not being able to find sources. I'll give them a call as well. I'll post more pictures when we get all the materials in as well.