View Full Version : First Fabric Tail and Fur Tails
Mermaid Romy
04-23-2014, 02:42 AM
Today I bought my first monofin and then spent about 2 hours in the local pool swimming back and forth. I got lots of kids pointing and gasping even though it was just a yellow monofin with no fun shape or colour C:
I've spoken at length with a few people at the pool and they're actually super keen to see me in a fabric tail at the pool, so I have the go ahead to swim there! [I'm hoping to get them good and used to me in a tail so that when I get my first silicone tail they won't be so hesitant :3]
ANYWAY!
I have some fabric to make a tail, some spandex with a slight shimmer and scale-ish pattern [very happy I found it~] and I was wondering if people could share their stories about fabric tail problems and care? It'd be very useful. I'd love some tips on cutting and shaping monofins too :0
I have have another question/idea about fabric tails too.
My friend wants to join me in mermaiding but they would like to be a more selkie-esque mer and we were thinking about getting some sleek minky fleece to make a tail and using a zip to get them in and out of it. The minky doesn't stretch so I was also wondering about tips for concealing zips and what type of zips and post chlorine zip care if anyone has any ideas?
I'm so excited to have my first tail!
Mermaid Jaffa
04-23-2014, 03:02 AM
I had a similar reaction to yours when I brought my monofin to the pool. I even had a little stalker follow me into the ladies change rooms and in her loud girly voice, ask everyone in there, "Did you see the girl with the really big fin?" And she was mighty upset when they all said no, and she tried to show them with, "She was standing right there!"
My 3rd fabric tail which is the Magictail with a custom fluke made by me because the biggest adult size was a tad too short for me.
The mistake with the fluke was, the fabric is purple, and being an iffy day with sunshine then sun behind clouds, sun, clouds etc. I ended up sewing the fabric inside out. So now I have a purple tail with the fluke section done in fabric the wrong side up. So in short, make sure it is a perfect sunny day outside or at least turn on the lights. :$
I think its something I can work around and fix, without undoing the seams for the fluke section.
Oh and its easier to trace around yourself, get friend to help, than it is to measure yourself in different sections.
You can put fins where the zippers are, so that part isn't so visible when swimming.
And when it comes to the fluke, always cut way more than you need. In case you make a mistake or change your mind about the fluke shape, you can easily trim it.
Also I found this video very helpful with learning how to swim like a mermaid. I wish I'd found it 3 weeks ago, seems I was going from the knees and that's the wrong way to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOpWs2qcGJw
Mermaid Romy
04-23-2014, 04:38 AM
Ahh thanks so much Ireneho! Yeah I'm really excited for kids reactions and the staff seem pretty keen to have a mermaid :3 Should be good all round! Thank for the tips and the link C:
Aziara
04-23-2014, 08:58 AM
For the selkie tail, you could always use stretch velour fabric. I seem to remember there's someone who's done that....
Mermaid Romy
04-24-2014, 05:40 AM
Mmm, I'm not fond of how the velour feels and looks personally. Minky fleece is a pretty good sub for real seal fur, it's short and sleek and a little shiny so we're pretty set on using that...but thanks though C:
Mermaid Romy
04-30-2014, 01:59 AM
20421
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Mermaid Romy
04-30-2014, 02:00 AM
My first swim in my first fabric tail! Still needs some adjustments but I'm really pleased!
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Mermaid Romy
04-30-2014, 02:03 AM
I have a video but that will have to wait, hehe
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Mermaid Jaffa
04-30-2014, 04:02 AM
Ooo! If it weren't for the tiles and the pool lines, you almost look like you are floating in the moon pool!
Mermaid Romy
04-30-2014, 04:11 AM
Ahh hehe you're right X3
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KitKat
06-19-2014, 02:48 PM
if you're still looking for fabric for a selkie tail, spandexworld sells stretch suede that looks very promising! it's more realistic than velour or stretch velvet, it's short, sleek, and shiny, AND it stretches! but like any fuzzy sort of material, it has the potential to get waterlogged... seems to be made out of a spandex-type material tho, so maybe it'll work better than something like minky?? it's totally up to you, just thought you might want to know this stuff was out there if you didn't already!
http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/browse/55
Mermaid Romy
06-19-2014, 08:04 PM
Ooooh thank you! Definitely gonna check that out C:
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