Modifying fabric tail for friend

[Mermaid Catkid]

Okay guys! I'm not sure where exactly this will go, so if it's in the wrong spot, just move it.:)I will be modifying my handmade fabric tail for a friend (Mary). There are three things to do; draw scales on the tail, make it skinnier, and install a stretchy waistband of some sort. I have fabric paint, but not the waistband, so first question will be where to get it! Also I'm not sure whether to scale it first or make it skinnier first.
Here's a picture of my "worktable". (it's really the kitchen table, but it's the least clean) 19313

[Mermaid Catkid]

OH! and yes that is a tail design in the middle of all that junk. and ignore the coconuts, coconut top, and primitive scale top.19314
It will be colored soon

[Ilyena]

Oh pretty blue ^_^. Waist band is made from a strip of elastic a couple of inches shorter than the waist measurement. I suggest to make it skinnier first that way the scales don't get distorted or half a scale poking out of a seam >_<

Good luck ^_^

[Mermaid Catkid]

Thanks. I haven't dubbed her Mermaid Mary..............................yet

[Mermaid Catkid]

SCALE TEST!I will be resizing it first, but this is just to see what it looks like
19315
.......and its ugly in some places due to me being super excited. DON'T I have an awesome breakfast haha

[Mermaid Catkid]

I JUST GOT done sewing it back up and MAN that mono fin is ugly!
19321

[Nicoseamus]

This seems like a cool project! When I was painting my tail, i used a cutout to pain the scales. Haha I don't trust my hands to do something like that without messing up. :)You look like you're going to do awesomely with this project, hope it turns out great!:D

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I was told at the sewing shop last week, don't use regular elastic for the waist band. Buy the one that's made specially for chlorine pools, it looks slightly different and is coated. I forgot what its called, you'd have to google it.

[Mermaid Catkid]

Okay, well I havnt been able to find a chlorine-proof elastic band in a strore near me. So I'll have to order it. I re-did the scale test because the first time it was too gloopy and broke apart. This time I waited the time you are supposed to wait before you put it in water. It did great. I wetted it, scrubbed it against itself, wetted it, and wrung it out, and repeated the process again. Hopefully I'll be able to scale it soon. Would it be fine to scale it before the waistband is in?

[PearlieMae]

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/swimwear-elastic

[Mermaid Catkid]

I have finished scaling the tail now. Pictures coming soon

[Mermaid Jaffa]

If you're sewing the fins in, use swimwear lining for the inside of the tail, otherwise it's going to itch like mad!

One of my tails doesn't have lining, and the sides seams makes me itch so much on my legs!

Just make sure to sew the lining to the fabric first, before making the elastic waistband.