Mermaid Jeni's Sequin tail

[Raayvhen]

So I ordered my sequin samples! I ordered a bunch of metallic, holographic, and crystal iris shells from Cartwright. I'll be using them to decide on colors and then using the extras for accessories or tops. I'll post progress every step of the way!

I ordered the following colors

Metallic : Mixed, Cobalt, Pink
Hologram (small) : Pink, Lilac, Aquamarine, Vintage Gold,
Crystal Iris : Seaspray, Clear AB, Wild Orchid, Luscious Lemon, Ballerina Pink

Total with shipping was around $24. I estimate I'll need about 3k total so I'm going to try to stick with 3 or 4 colors.

[SINicallyTwisted]

Looking forward to watching your progress! :highfive:

[Mermaid Galene]

I'm all set to order sequins for my new tail on Thursday. I'll be using Luscious lemon, too. I look forward to your tail build!

[MermaidBrandie]

The hologram ones color will come off in water. :( There was a thread on the durability of the sequins and the metallics came out on top, it's why I'm using them. The iris's arn't bad, but if they get scratched (and they will) then you have a change of losing the color there too.

You're definatly gonna need more than 3000. I ordered 9000 to start with and will for sure have to get more. I didn't account for the overlap. Unless you're not covering the whole tail....

[Raayvhen]

I thought the bigger hologram sequins, the rounder ones, had that issue... I'll do tests anyways, and then I'll be coating them all. Maybe 8k? I'm not doing the fluke, I don't particularly like sequined flukes...

[Raayvhen]

Sequins shipped! I'm thinking of probably using a blend of pink, lilac, blue, and green for the color scheme.

[MermaidBrandie]

I'm not sequining the fluke either, and 9000 was just my initial order. I'm going to need to double or triple that number to cover to my waist even without the fluke being covered. I was hoping 9000 would get me all the way to my waist, but the amount of overlap needed to keep the neoprene from being noticable is making me have to up that number.

Here's the sequin durability thread:
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?7426-Cartwright-s-Sequins-colour-and-durability-reference

So unless you're not doing full sequin coverage (even from just the ankles/feet to the waist) you might want to up the number.

[MermaidBonnie]

Congratulations on making your sequined tail! I'm working on mine right now and am immensely enjoying this experience! Beware of the holographic sequins, my gold cartwright ones changed to silver, but they're still holding on beautifully after 3 years. You will need to account for layering of the sequins, which I did not do on my original sequined tail bc I had latex scales underneath that I was embellishing. I'd say with the cartwright sequins, based on my experience, about 20,000 will cover your tail without your fluke. Best to order them together and save on the shipping :) I know your tail will be gorgeous!!

[Raayvhen]

So I decided I'm using everything except the cobalt! I'll post in a little bit a picture of what the color scheme is going to be. It's definitely going to be gradient. I'll be using the clear ab at the top and working down into the Seaspray. I'm really excited for this tail! It's going to be a lot of work.

I'm also still deciding whether I'm going to use neoprene or spandex. With neoprene I'll definitely have to use a weight belt.

[Raayvhen]

Congratulations on making your sequined tail! I'm working on mine right now and am immensely enjoying this experience! Beware of the holographic sequins, my gold cartwright ones changed to silver, but they're still holding on beautifully after 3 years. You will need to account for layering of the sequins, which I did not do on my original sequined tail bc I had latex scales underneath that I was embellishing. I'd say with the cartwright sequins, based on my experience, about 20,000 will cover your tail without your fluke. Best to order them together and save on the shipping :) I know your tail will be gorgeous!!

For the holographic sequins did you use the more rounded shells or the smaller true shells?

[Mermaid Galene]

I found with the raspberry crystal iris round 20mm paillettes that the light-reflecting film sloughed off rather easily. But the sequin itself was made of rosy plastic, so I didn't really care. I was really after that red color, and it held up great in the water. I get the impression that each of Cartwright's sequin types is made a little differently.

[Raayvhen]

Oh my god you guys. You can machine sew the Cartwright sequins!!! I did a test and it worked super well!!

http://i.imgur.com/GieYD.gif

[Mermaid Saoirse]

Oh my god you guys. You can machine sew the Cartwright sequins!!! I did a test and it worked super well!!

http://i.imgur.com/GieYD.gif

You can machine sew them?! Now I wish I had a stronger sewing machine for when I get started on my tail. That's awesome! Definitely cuts down on the amount of time spent sewing each sequin on.
Can't wait to see when you post up the color scheme. From what I've been reading it's going to be gorgeous. Is this the tail you'll be using the Mahina Fin for?

[Blaze]

Oh my god you guys. You can machine sew the Cartwright sequins!!! I did a test and it worked super well!!


Do tell how! Needles, tension, all that fun stuff?

[Raayvhen]

I'll post a video by the end of the day.

[Mermaid Galene]

That's what I did with my Cartwright sequins top. It's really easy and quick, and even if I rub my hand up and down against them, the sequins don't chip or come off. I used a zigzag stitch with tension about 5-6.

[Raayvhen]

And Video. Its silent because my voice is still distorted post surgery.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm0Y28pepp4

As far as needles I'm using a universal needle.

[Mermaid Saoirse]

Thanks for posting the video! It was insanely helpful in case I ever plan on making a sequin/spandex tail for lighter events when I don't want to use my neoprene tail.

[Mermaid Crystal Shimmer]

Question, using a regular stitch (instead of a zigzag) doesn't that take out the stretch of the fabric?

[Raayvhen]

It can but I was using a pretty stretchy thread. I'll probably go with zig zag for making my tail, this was more to see if I could sew them quickly without shattering/breaking them.

[Raayvhen]

Ready for a color scheme?

http://33.media.tumblr.com/a1e1a9756edbf654456445c739f4d282/tumblr_na1uv2cOCu1qawjsko1_1280.jpg

[Mermaid Sam]

The colors look great! Does the spandex fabric hold up well with the sequins?

[Raayvhen]

They do hold up pretty well, I think I decided I'll be using neoprene though due to the colder water here in Washington.

[Raayvhen]

So I'm going to be holding off on this tail for a little bit because I emailed cartwright and I have big news! (Literally big news)

23302

[Morticia Mermaid]

Looks like they are finally listening to people :D I messaged them back in Juna about more colors in the bigger size

[Mermaid Galene]

Awesome!

[Nana]

Its so shiny I'M GONNA DIE! (not really)

[lynsea]

The increased sequin size news is HUGE!!!

[Mermaid Wesley]

THATS GREAT. If I ever get a sequin tail (and I intend to) I want to get the ones in that size, but I'm not a metallics fan. So yisss

[Raayvhen]

I'm really hoping that all the colors I want (top of page 2) are going to be available.

[Adalira]

I love the colors you chose, looks awesome.
Have you decided on neoprene or spandex yet?
And what would be the pro's and cons for you.
I have recently ordered a lot of sequins to start a sequins tail but can't decide either on neoprene or spandex.
I have a tail from magictail that i started putting some sequins on but i am afraid the fabric is too thin to completly cover with sequins.
And are you going to do side fins?

[Raayvhen]

I can't decide which I like better! The left is so big but the right is so fantasyish...

https://31.media.tumblr.com/9baf29091e425588b4d62bebe2d45e10/tumblr_nabl7wP7yl1qawjsko1_500.jpg
https://38.media.tumblr.com/1b80f1000eb1bfc31b70ff6efc9d9031/tumblr_nabl7wP7yl1qawjsko2_500.jpg

[Maethor]

Personally I like the more rounded, left side better! Although the right is adorable too. I'm sure either one would look great!

[Raayvhen]

I was thinking of doing a sketch of somewhere in between.

What can I say, I like big flukes.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I like big flukes and I cannot lie

[Raayvhen]

You landlubbers can't deny. ..

[Adalira]

I love them both....hard to choose... a sketch of something in between might work although it may make choosing even harder when you have 3 awesome ones to choose from :)

[Kishiko]

When a mer swims by with an itty bitty tail and a big fluke in your face

[Maethor]

You get soaked :)

[MermaidBrandie]

You're all dorks in the most beautiful way possible.

Those lyrics are fantastic

[Raayvhen]

So as I said, this project is on hold until the larger sequins come in stock.

However since I have neoprene on its way I figured I'd make a partial silicone tail for now. I seriously only have $30 to go before I can get my silicone. Please check out my campaign. http://www.gofundme.com/cthk0s

[Kishiko]

Hat kind of silicone are you using?

[Raayvhen]

I'm doing a more temporary tail as more of a test. I'll be using the GE 100% silicone for this tail to learn the methods and my next tail will be dragonskin.

[Kishiko]

Oh sweet! I like the GE, that's what the coating on my fluke is (: (my profile picture doesn't show it but you can see it on my Facebook) good luck!!!