Mermaid Mae's Scrap Neoprene Tail

Ahoy there!!!

I've decided to see if I even have the bare minimum ability to make a tail out of neoprene and since I'm a poor, full time student and full time working gal with loads of bills to pay, I'm going to attempt to make it out of scraps... So follow along if you're interested in seeing me make lots of mistakes and hopefully come out of it all with a functioning tail (: It is going to be a slow process but I'm sure it will be a fun challenge!

First: I have purchased 2 well worn wetsuits that I intend to cut up and use neoprene cement to "sew" into a fin. Click here to see how that stuff is used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xKkjDfyi_s
Why neoprene cement? I can't sew very well, and this stuff is fairly inexpsensive and seems to be simple enough to use.

Second: Make a fluke with swim fins instead of a monofin! Why? If it works, it shaves a minimum of $40 off the cost of this thingy-ma-jig!

Third: We'll test it out and I'll either stop there if it fails miserably and try again when I can afford the proper supplies. OR!!! I'll add thousands of sequins and cover the whole tail (as well as add any side fins, etc...) Why cover the whole tail? Well, I think that looks the best, plus it will help me avoid the need to paint the fin if at all possible!

"But Mae, didn't you just buy a Kariel tail?" Yep! And I love it, but it was also well loved before I got it. So every event I do is going to require some post-party repair jobs and a back-up tail is a huge necessity.

I'm also in a bit of a pickle with a lack of mermaid top so I'll be making one of those too and you and follow along with that project as well! (long story short: I had a beautiful MerBella's seaweed top and my mertender was in charge of gathering the 'wardrobe changes' and putting them in the car at my recent photo shoot and it unfortunately did not get remembered and was gone when he returned to look for it. </3 I believe energy recycles itself though and that my top will go on to someone who will love it even more than I did!)

Anywho, if anyone is still reading, THANKS (: and I look forward to hearing everyone's ideas, criticisms, and laughter (via text lol) as I go along this bumpy road!

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Advice: if I were making this (and I am inexperienced in this nature of a tail) but if I were doing this, I'd make some type of strap to keep my ankles together. OR I think you could use some swim fins and make your own monofin. I hear there's stuff on this site talking about that. But it's something I've been wanting to try as well. Good luck though!

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Originally Posted by Rebekah.fish

Advice: if I were making this (and I am inexperienced in this nature of a tail) but if I were doing this, I'd make some type of strap to keep my ankles together. OR I think you could use some swim fins and make your own monofin. I hear there's stuff on this site talking about that. But it's something I've been wanting to try as well. Good luck though!

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Ohhhh good thought! Especially now that I found my flippers I'm kind of thinking getting or making a monofin might be the best option. There may be a way to strap them together kind of like you said and make a type of monofin from it. We shall see!! Haha (:

Hi. I understand if you really want to try to make your own tail, which is great. However I am selling a very basic neoprene tail here: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...-%28US-Only%29. It has a monofin and is still in good swim-able condition. You could sew sequins onto it to make it more your own.

Otter bay does the bi-fins as monofins thing. They drill holes in the fins and zip tie them together. Then they put a plate/clip between them tho keep them from folding weirdly.

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Originally Posted by Princess Pearl

Otter bay does the bi-fins as monofins thing. They drill holes in the fins and zip tie them together. Then they put a plate/clip8 between them tho keep them from folding weirdly.

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Hmmmm I'll have to look into their process. Sounds simple enough and very helpful.

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Originally Posted by spottedcatfish

Hi. I understand if you really want to try to make your own tail, which is great. However I am selling a very basic neoprene tail here: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...-%28US-Only%29. It has a monofin and is still in good swim-able condition. You could sew sequins onto it to make it more your own.

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Unfortunately I'm not sure it would fit me, nor do I have funds as of now. I've had too many experiences with tails that just don't fit. My first fin, used, was too short and my current fin is even shorter!! Haha. This one you have is seemingly a littke large for me as well. But thank you soooooooo much for the suggestion!

I look forward to seeing what you do with this tail :)

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Originally Posted by accepted3

I look forward to seeing what you do with this tail :)

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Haha, me too!!! I just tested the neoprene cement and it seems pretty good. I'll stretch it a little when I get home and see what it does.

The pictures don'r seem to work for me :(

For me either! :(

Can't see anything

Urghhhh haha I'll fix it!!!

Here we gooooo!

Top, seam, and close up of seam (which seems to be pretty sturdy but I won't know until I do the other side and try it on)

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Yea for recycled wetsuits! That's what I made my tail out of. Can't wait to see how yours turns out!

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Enora

Yea for recycled wetsuits! That's what I made my tail out of. Can't wait to see how yours turns out!

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And yours looks AHHHH-MAZING! Have any tips for me?

I've got a thread going that I'm detailing how I did it. You can follow that for tips. Otherwise feel free to pm if needed!
I made the mono fin with two swim fins bolted to lexan. That might work better than support wires. Unless you're going for a more fluid look. My entire fluke is very rigid.

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Enora

I've got a thread going that I'm detailing how I did it. You can follow that for tips. Otherwise feel free to pm if needed!
I made the mono fin with two swim fins bolted to lexan. That might work better than support wires. Unless you're going for a more fluid look. My entire fluke is very rigid.

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Yeah, I can't decide between fluid or not. I'm thinking kind of fluid and fold-able so it can be taken as a carry on, hidden in a purse for kids to not see the magic, etc... But I have no idea how that will look, I really like your tail, it looks great in pics because of the support you added to it. Decisions decisions!!

It took me almost 2 years to decide exactly what I wanted before I ever started working on the tail

So far, so good! It'll be fun to follow your progress.

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I have completed the body of the fin and will add reinforcements and patches soon. Next is the fluke which I am still quite confused on but will figure it out at some point haha (:

How's the neoprene cement holding up so far instead of sewing?

Well I haven't done much more work on it lately - nor have i tried it in water - but it seems to be just fine. I plan to take scraps and use the cement to make a cover for all the seams on the inside and I assume that will make it more sturdy and will act as a cover in case it ever rips while I'm swimming. I'll post more pics when I get to working on it again! (: