Tail sizing and Tail Form / double - expanding foam? newspaper? batting? ???

[LaNyah]

So, when it comes time to put your scale sheets together - what do you do to size it? body double? Measure, measure, measure? etc


I have completed a duct tape double from the waist down. Now I have to fill it with...? I have been looking at the expandable foam, but how much? :confused:

What has worked for you?

[Jessica]

Trial and error! :)

if you use a body double, make sure it's at least 1-2 inches smaller than your measurements! Silicone is very stretchy so you need the tail to be smaller than you to get a good fit!

I've tried a few different ways, but my favorite was just making a paper pattern to follow. I use duct tape body forms just to double (and triple!) check measurements! You can see how I did the pattern and my seams in my second thread(Eva's tail). It was the easiest way I've found yet :)

just be be sure to make the knees and ankles tighter than the rest of the tail. If you don't, they will be baggy and wrinkly or even too big.

[LaNyah]

What do you put IN the double? To fill it out. I was thinking expandable foam, newspaper, or batting.

The expandable foam seems like a good idea, but not sure how much would be needed?

[Jessica]

I just stuffed towels and plastic bags in it. You don't want to overfill it if you go with that method....it will pull your scale sheets apart when you're doing your seams unless you stand there and hold them or really really pin them well. You will have to babysit it regardless if you use the body form for seaming....the silicone sheets tend to slide down and will mess up your seams!

[PearlieMae]

I made the mistake of using expanding foam and one of my body molds, and it was a disaster. I had to redo the whole thing! in the place is the phone cured, it distorted the body mold like crazy. In the places where didn't get any air, the stuff never cured!


if you have access to them, fill the cavity with packing peanuts!

[jazz2453]

I feel like to have a GREAT mold people should make a fiberglass leg cast: http://www.studiocreations.com/HOWTO/bodycast/index.html That except with your legs together and just your legs.

[Seatan]

BioWeapons How To Molding and Casting (http://bioweapons.com/HOW_TO.htm)

This is another site that has very good, detailed information on fiberglass mold casting. Also for a whole body, but like Jazz said, you can do it for just your legs. It's quite a bit of work, though.

[LaNyah]

Great info. Thank you!

I think until I am in a position to do the cast, I'll go with measurements/pattern & cheaply stuffed duct-tape double. :)

Definitely want to try the plaster cast / fiberglass option sometime.

[Merman Arion]

if you use a body double, make sure it's at least 1-2 inches smaller than your measurements! Silicone is very stretchy so you need the tail to be smaller than you to get a good fit!

Seriously, Jessica? You would recommand to take measurements 1-2 inches smaller? I'm asking because If i do that, I will be concerned about having what you all called a "muffin top". I'm in shape and fit since i'm working out every week but I don't want the silicone to leave me a mark on my body :(
Plus, i'm looking to get a bit bigger for Summer so I would be kind of pissed to have my waist too small.

If I have to give an example, I have the same shape as Eric's. I would love my Finfolk tail to fit me just like this :

17219

[Aino Revontuletar]

Like Arion, I am also concerned about ending up with a muffin top hahaha

[Mermaid Oshun]

I think it really depends on how thick the tailmaker makes your tail. If it is really thin it stretches and gives a lot. But my tails are on the thick side and with powermesh embedded on top of it all so they really don't stretch that much. Also if your tailmaker lines it in neoprene that's a different issue. So ask your particular tailmaker how thick their tails are and how much they stretch and what THEY suggest for their particular product. If you make a really THICK product too small, it will HURT you by rubbing your ankles and knees together too hard. Now for a very delicate, thin tail. that guideline of measuring a little too small at the legs is OK because it will stretch a lot.


Paisley since you're making your own tail, I suggest that after you have your scale sheets, try standing in your monofin to get the ankle distance right and simply wrapping the scale sheet around your knees and ankles and see what feels comfy to you. You can pin it like a tailor would or mark it with a marker. Later compare that measurement to the measurement you took and see how they compare for future reference.

I made my first two tails too small at the ankles by following the above guidelines. Again, it would have worked if I made really thin scale sheets. But mine were strong and thick like a tank so there was no need to over compensate for stretchy thin scales.

[Jessica]

Seriously, Jessica? You would recommand to take measurements 1-2 inches smaller? I'm asking because If i do that, I will be concerned about having what you all called a "muffin top". I'm in shape and fit since i'm working out every week but I don't want the silicone to leave me a mark on my body :(
Plus, i'm looking to get a bit bigger for Summer so I would be kind of pissed to have my waist too small.

If I have to give an example, I have the same shape as Eric's. I would love my Finfolk tail to fit me just like this :

17219

this is info for tailmaking ONLY!! :) paisley is making her own silicone tail and probably using a duct tape body mold. The info applies directly to the duct tape body mold, not actually measuring :) My post only applies to making your own tail, and not for measuring for a tail you are not making yourself

When you are buying a tail, make sure you measure exactly and give the tail maker exact measurements. Do not subtract any inches, explain your wishes to your tail maker and let them make the decision.:) Every tail maker casts their silicone at different thicknesses, so it's important to give them accurate measurements so they can adjust them if needed :) I'm pretty sure theobromine mentioned at some point that finfolk subtracts an inch all around so the tail fits snugly. If you subtract inches too, your tail may be too tight!

so sorry for the confusion! :)

as for muffin tops...don't worry so much! Just don't lean forward in a tail! It happens to everyone....you just get better at posing :)

[Mermaid Oshun]

Yes Jessica that is SO TRUE!!! If you are subtracting an inch or two to try to compensate and the tail maker does too ... Guess what? It will not fit you any longer. So dont try to second guess your tail maker.

[Winged Mermaid]

as for muffin tops...don't worry so much! Just don't lean forward in a tail! It happens to everyone....you just get better at posing :)

Lol, true story! Even super skinny people get folds when they lean forward in a skin tight tail :P

[Seatan]

Exactly! Note how in that picture he is leaning back. Lean forward, you get a muffin top, just from having SKIN. My FinFolk tail fits me great and I simply gave them the measurements as they asked for them, which did not include subtracting anything. They will make the allowances they need to. You're quite the hottie, Frenchie (I still remember that sexy kitty photo!) so I don't think you have much to worry about, hun.

[Merman Arion]

this is info for tailmaking ONLY!! :) paisley is making her own silicone tail and probably using a duct tape body mold. The info applies directly to the duct tape body mold, not actually measuring :) My post only applies to making your own tail, and not for measuring for a tail you are not making yourself

When you are buying a tail, make sure you measure exactly and give the tail maker exact measurements. Do not subtract any inches, explain your wishes to your tail maker and let them make the decision.:) Every tail maker casts their silicone at different thicknesses, so it's important to give them accurate measurements so they can adjust them if needed :) I'm pretty sure theobromine mentioned at some point that finfolk subtracts an inch all around so the tail fits snugly. If you subtract inches too, your tail may be too tight!

so sorry for the confusion! :)

as for muffin tops...don't worry so much! Just don't lean forward in a tail! It happens to everyone....you just get better at posing :)

Wow! Sorry for the confusion as well.
I didn't think of that. I promise I will give my exact measurements. I'm putting my order tomorrow so this will be discussed with the twins.


Lol, true story! Even super skinny people get folds when they lean forward in a skin tight tail :P

Thanks for your input Iona. I hope that you are doing well :)


Exactly! Note how in that picture he is leaning back. Lean forward, you get a muffin top, just from having SKIN. My FinFolk tail fits me great and I simply gave them the measurements as they asked for them, which did not include subtracting anything. They will make the allowances they need to. You're quite the hottie, Frenchie (I still remember that sexy kitty photo!) so I don't think you have much to worry about, hun.

Ooh, stop it. You are going to make me blush :p
More seriously, perhaps I think too much. I'm so looking forward to get this tail. My fins are trembling from excitement.

[MerEmma]

Yeah, it's important to note that everyone gets skin folds, it's all about how you're posing. I'm 5'3 (160 centimeters tall? lol i can't remember what Europeans use for height :P) and even when I was super underweight at 82 lbs. (around 38 kilograms) I still got stomach folds. Nothing wrong with it, either. :)