Another pic from my shoot. I like this one cuz you can see the shiny fabric at the end of the fluke really well
Attachment 6261
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Another pic from my shoot. I like this one cuz you can see the shiny fabric at the end of the fluke really well
Attachment 6261
HOLY MOLY that is one stunning photo!!!! :jawdrop: (< added new smiley to the system just for this, haha)
^ lol! lover it and the smiley 2 :)
XD I feel special now
Hahahahaha xDDD I agree :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: It really does look stunning and goddess like
Okay so I have several questions. Please bear with me. xD You have pretty much the same measurements as me. How many yards of spandex fabric would I need? (4?) How many yards of lame for pectoral fins and a dorsal fin? (1-2?) What kind of monofin did you use and did you modify it by cutting it or no? Did you attach white vinyl to conceal the real color of the monofin and did you attach it by gluing it? Did you use a paintbrush for the paint or an airbrush? I was thinking about using an airbrush because I don't want lines from using a brush. When you put the latex onto the fabric does this make a good base for the folk art colors to stick to? I feel like the paint would start chipping off after a while. Do you REALLY need a whole gallon of latex to paint onto the fabric? I honestly have NO idea what to look for when it comes to clear latex so I guess I'll just buy the XX brand one. I saw a site where they sell the 16 ounce for 20 dollars. If I plan on making more in the future I guess I'll go back and buy a gallon afterwards.
Whew, lol ok here goesQuote:
Originally Posted by RayeBlonde
I bought 1 1/2 yard of jumbo spandex, it was very wide but just to be safe ask the seller and give them your measurements. I bough my spandex at an actual store so they got to look at me and give an estimate.
I bought extra lame to use as backup, bit 1 yard should be enough, also depending on your fin design and how much you want to use. Draw everything on Brown paper with the exact measurements so you have a better idea of how much material you need.
I did cut my monofin into a dolphin/whale shape using scissors, finis waves are very soft. I also used sandpaper to even everything out and to remove the ridges the monofin has on the top and bottom.
I did use thick table vinyl, and I used an industrial tapestry needle to sew it on
the inside of the fluke. I also bought industrial Velcro and sewed it in so that the monofin can be taken out.
the oly part of my tail that has latex is the fluke, and its mixed with the folkart pain. It won't chip nor peel because the fabric absorbs it. You can use an airbrush but you need to thin the latex paint mix with water, latex and folkart are both waterbased but make sure you have a good cleaner for your airbrush because it will get clogged.
I used sponge brushes for mine and it gives it an airbrushed effect.
You don't need a whole gallon because you will be adding to the latex volume when you mix in the paint and water. Make sure you either buy white or natural color, preferible white cuz natural gives a bit of a yellow tint to lighter colors.
DO NOT use pure latex on thin fabric, it will make it shrink, you can use the paint/ water mixed latex though
wow those were great questions rayeblonde! helpful to me too :)
Oh Ilonka...what if you have extra fabric could you make a "sleeve" for your monofin to hide the color and words? my fabric is pink and i have extra fabric
It will hide the color, but not the shape of the monofin and when you swim it will be really noticeable, but that's just me being anal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mer_Adella
I like to use vinyl because when the tail gets wet it maintains the exact shape I cut the fabric instead of taking on the shape of the monofin.
Ya i am using vinyl shelf liner to cover my fluke inside to hide the shape as well. i ws just thinking of a way to cover the color so you dont have a light tail and a dark monofin.
I thought it would've been more fabric than that. I'm sure I'll end up having to buy more
considering I'll have to go to Joanns. Theres no good mom and pop fabric shops around here.
Thanks so much hun ^_^ wow! thank god. I was hoping
I'd be able to cut it with scissors. I don't really own industrial power tools. >_>
Ohhhhh, I thought you covered the whole tail in latex first to make it a more dependable base.
That's what I was thinking about doing because I feel like it'd reinforce the fabric.
I wonder if there's any way I can PAINT the monofin. I try to be crafty but I lose patience
if something starts to frustrate me and I feel like trying sewing vinyl on
would really piss me off. What do you think about painting it? I wonder how I could do that.
I bet there's some sort of primer I could buy then just get really thick white paint to make it match the
white base of the tail.
I honestly have NOOO idea what to buy as far as liquid latex. There's body paint
and then there's all this house painting and home improvement shit. I'm
sooooooo confused. O_O
I must say your tail turned out fantastic! The photos looked amazing too :3
Ilonka, I was curious, about how much money (US dollars) do you think it took to make this tail?
Hey Ilonka, just checking up to see if the sequins are still holding up with the glue you used? I was worried they might come off when you stretched the fabric with them glued on.
IBlondie, it cost about $200 to make, pretty economical considering the costs of tails.
Lynsea, the glue is still holding up! The only things is that the sequins tend to peel away from their foil covers and the foil will stay glued to the tail, but the plastic scale will come off :/
So, it turns out that the glue that bonds the plastic scale to their foil isnt very good. Other thank that, my tail still looks amazing. I sent for extra scales to use as repairs and touch ups, even Hanna Fraser's tails require constant maintainance.
So is it mostly contact and is making the scales come off or the actual stretching of the fabric interacting with the glue?
Wow, I love it! I love your past tail (the blue and yellow one) and this one is just as gorgeous.
im actually considering making another tail or just adding sequins to the fluke of the one i have but sewing them on #1 to see if i can have the patience to do it #2 to see how they look and hold up against the glued ones.
I know I got here really late, but at least i didn't have to wait to see pics :) kekeke, joking
But seriously. i usually hate spandex tails, but this was one of the most beautiful tails I've ever seen in my life. Very gorgeous, angelic, and heavenly is the best word to use here. A beautiful tail for a very beautiful mermaid ♥