Looking for a fabric.

[MerEmma]

I thought about putting this in tailmaking but it's not related to making a tail, so if a mod feels like this belongs elsewhere then feel free to move it. :)

I'm working on a velociraptor costume currently and I'm trying to purchase fabric. I ordered samples from Spandexworld as I want a very lightweight, cotton material for the skin (it will be airbrushed). We ordered this brown in hopes of a rich, chocolate color: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/6556
But instead what I've received looks like a black/green sort of mixture depending on the lighting! So glad I ordered a sample. But as a heads up, they're tiny. >_>
I've searched all over the web for a cotton blend (the cotton lycra feels perfect but the only other darkish brown they have is this: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/6675 which is much too light) and I can't find anything. Everything is polyester which won't breathe well and won't take paint as well either, we don't think.
This has really stumped me...I've got hours just in searching so far. We've ordered quite a few samples and the local sewing place + Johann's have nothing either--all polyester!
What other spandex/lycra sites are there? I can only recall stretchhouse which I know has ripped plenty of people off. Any help you can offer me is MUCH appreciated!

[Mermaid Kala]

I've had this problem with a costume before, finding the right fabric but in the wrong color. I ended up getting it in the lightest color available, and dying it with Rit Fabric Dye. They do have a Cocoa brown color. You can buy it at Joanns, or order it online. Maybe you could get a sample of the cotton lycra in a light color, and do a test dye on it to see how it turns out? For the fabric I used, it didn't alter the feel or properties of the fabric at all after dying.
Dying is fairly easy to do, and it would only add a day to the costume making process :)

[MerEmma]

I might end up having to do that, or just airbrushing it much darker. That would add some coloration patterns to it, but I do appreciate the suggestion! I'll keep it in mind if I can't find anything. :)

[MerEmma]

Holographic wouldn't hold up well in water repeatedly, right? Does anyone have any experience with these fabrics?

http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/5003
http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/5948

http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/1214
http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/1210

[Echidna]

Holographic wouldn't hold up well in water repeatedly, right?

Didn't you say this was for a velociraptor costume?
You wouldn't need to swim in that, right?

You can wash holographic fabric, just be extra careful.
The damage we've all seen on tails with holograph on is probably more due to chlorine than to water (and the additional stress of swimming and wearing while wet).

[MerEmma]

Haha, I just posted this on the same thread since it was already about fabric. The first one was and I found a fabric that'll work, but now I'm trying to buy fabric for a tail. :P So yeah, the first one I needed was for the raptor and now the above four ideas were for a tail. Trying to figure out which would be more durable in chlorine.

[MerEmma]

Any idea on those four fabrics for a tail? How they'd hold up in water? :\

[Echidna]

Any idea on those four fabrics for a tail? How they'd hold up in water? :\

Well, it's mentioned on all of them the foil finish "might fade after wear and washing".
Keep in mind that they are also not intended for swimming, but for normal costumes or dancewear only.

There are fabrics on spandexworld which are labelled as swimwear;
however, none of them are holograph, foil finish, or shiny :(

I agree that the shiny fabrics are very tempting to use for a tail.
Maybe you should go for one of them which says "sensitivity to chlorine remains to be tested",
and let us know how it holds up!

[MerEmma]

It seems like nothing on spandexworld is meant for swimming, lol. You're right though...it's just the shiny fabrics that aren't inteded.
Some other mers use them anyway I noticed though, like FinFun and AquaTails and others. That makes me think I'd probably be okay. Which one of them do you think would hold up better, though? I'd probably do a test first anyhow but I'm wondering which would be a better bet.

[MerMarla]

It seems like nothing on spandexworld is meant for swimming, lol. You're right though...it's just the shiny fabrics that aren't inteded.
Some other mers use them anyway I noticed though, like FinFun and AquaTails and others. That makes me think I'd probably be okay. Which one of them do you think would hold up better, though? I'd probably do a test first anyhow but I'm wondering which would be a better bet.

Hi MerEmma,

I have used another company, SpandexHouse since about 1995 when I started making my Tails, and for fabric for riding breeches, including the faux stretch leathers for seat and knee pads, and other costumes. I have enjoyed watching this company grow (pre-internet) and turn into one of the biggest Spandex supply sources. They will gladly send you samples (I think 5 is the limit) and I would suggest that you obtain samples, just for piece of mind! Prices are comparable to Spandexworld. You may find other fabrics on SpandexHouse site that better suit your project. I just took what you had and tried to find the closest match. These are 60" wide and $13.00 per yard. Remember when you measure for these specialty fabrics, they usually have a very wide selvage, so 58/60 inches is the width of the bolt, not the printed area. I would ask what the width of printed area is on each sample. Different manufacturers vary in how much metallic or hologram is laid on the fabric during production.

The fabrics are found under:
http://www.spandexhouse.com/products.php?page=7&navId=85&navId2=&navName=Metallic%20Spandex&navName2=
http://www.spandexhouse.com/products.php?page=30&navId=43&navId2=&navName=Hologram&navName2= (http://www.spandexhouse.com/products.php?page=7&navId=85&navId2=&navName=Metallic%20Spandex&navName2=)
http://www.spandexhouse.com/products.php?page=33&navId=43&navId2=&navName=Hologram&navName2=

or go to: SpandexHouse.com

Under:
- Metallic Spandex, page 7
- Hologram, page page 30 for Royal blue
and page 33 for Holographic foil dot in Silver,

Zoomed in pix:

http://www.spandexhouse.com/pictures.php?pId=374 Royal Blue
http://www.spandexhouse.com/pictures.php?pId=508 Silver

http://www.spandexhouse.com/pictures.php?pId=1437 Royal blue
http://www.spandexhouse.com/pictures.php?pId=767 Silver


Hope this helps, and good luck!

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

[MerEmma]

Yeah, I've looked at their fabrics before too! So you'd recommend those for swimming?

[MerMarla]

Hi MerEmma,

I've used them before for swimming. The fabrics, I think, are better than what JoAnn Fabrics call their Performance Spandex. But saying that, I've also used JF fabrics, too, and they are holding up ok. I do wash them out right away in the shower at the gym, and again when I get home in a real rinse specially designed for swimwear used in chlorine or saltwater. Since I mostly swim in fresh water or a pool, I try to take as good a care as I can of the fabric. If I think its too lightweight, in my bathing suits, I will line them.

Either way, I would use the heaviest weight I could find. Spandex used to be made 10 oz or greater... now I'm lucky to find 6 oz.

Good luck, let us know what you decide on! and DO get samples first!

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

[MerEmma]

I did ask for fabric for Christmas, my mum confirmed the raptor skin stuff is under the tree but as far as tail fabric that's being kept a secret. So, I may or may not have it. I sure hope so!

[Seatan]

FYI I looked on your raptor tutorial the other night and then spent THREE HOURS reading about raptor costuming, LOL! I can't wait to see where it goes!

[MerEmma]

Haha, wow! It's really cool to hear that. :D I can't wait to see what it looks like...it's getting VERY exciting now, although I'm starting to worry if I'll make my deadline (March).

[AtalontheDeer]

Hi MerEmma,

If you have any questions in case of Furry, Cosplay or Mascot - don't hesitate to ask me. my i can give you some tricks.
I know Mono, too have even a couple of mask of her here, My self prefer Vaccum forming the masks.
Have a look on my DA account

Ahhh and If you looking for Spandex or Lycra or even neoprene I have good resources here in Europe for Material straight vorm Italy. (My you know the business of Speedo Swimwear"
Greets
Atalon

[florri]

I think I know the fabric you are talking about, but to my information that type of fabric doesn't stretch very much. As for durability it's great that is why they use it for seats on water craft. To use that fabric for a tail? It would have to made to the perfect measurments of your body with no deviation in the measurments sence that fabric doesn't stretch much.