POTC OST tail with Neoprene base

I decided that to tide over my strong desire for a merbellas tail (in other words, to keep the insanity at bay) I'm going to make a tail like the ones from On Stranger Tides, mostly so that I'll blend a bit better with the other members in my guild. Koral already has hers, from FishButts, and I think it'll add continuity if I match her a little. Especially since we have our own personal Captain Sparrow in the guild.
I've ordered a monofin, and the neoprene. I'm planning some kind of brilliant way to lengthen the leg portion of the fin, so that I'll look a little more wiggly.
I'm going to paint it, first, then decide later if I want sequins or Dragonskin on top.
Here's the design:
Attachment 11114
It will also have a couple fins on the back, up above mah butt.

I'll likely use the leftovers to make a corset-top, as well. (And then wear a white shirt over top, like Syrena! ^_^)

This looks like an exciting project to endure! I look forward to your progress, Dot :3

*mermish trilling* lol! Thanks Saphira. I'm excited. My friend Koriks' Rapid arrived yesterday, and as I was taking it out of the packaging I found these awesome plastic... feet?
Which I'm SURE I'll be able to use for my extender-thingy.

SOoooo....
I just got an email from Foamorder.com that says they got a declined or invalid card message. Right now I'm waiting for them to call me back about it. I called a little bit ago, but the guy wasn't in. They've been super nice and helpful, so far though. Good customer service.

Looks like a great design! And I also LOVE the little *mermish trill* hehe, so cute~ <3

Looks great! Please post lots of pictures/updates as you work!

Thanks Emma. ^_^
I totally will Danielle. I know how much I like seeing other people works as they go, so I will definitely do the same.

I just heard back from the Foamorder.com shipping guy, Larry Gulley. He is SO nice. He included a coupon with my receipt for $25 off my next purchase from them, and was real super nice and helpful, and was totally interested in the mermaid thing. They got back to me right away when I had a question about my order, Let me know asap that my card was expired, and topped it off with a coupon.

Edit: I forgot to mention: He said my neoprene will be here in the next couple of days via ups ground. !.! *hopping like a bunny*

I ALSO forgot to mention that I went to Joann Fabrics yesterday and picked up some gold fabric for the side fins, and paint for the neoprene, as well as gold Duck tape for my monofin modification. That way, if my monofin shows it'll still be gold.

The plan is to cut a v into the fin, then extend it as in Moonflower's tutorial, then cover it in flowy fabric. The fabric (and fins) will have silicone on them( similar to Moonflower's other tutorial), eventually, to stiffen and strengthen them, while maintaining the flow.

So, I was just looking through Prince Calypso's OST tail thread, and Aquatarian posted a whole bunch of awesomeness there, like the silicone dead mermaids, and an animated gif of the mermaids swimming. I will have to add another fin from my knees down in the back, but that shouldn't be a problem.

My Neoprene came friday. It's black with beige, 1.5 mm, and exactly what I ordered. I haven't unrolled it yet, but I know that it'll be plenty for what I want to do. I've also covered my fluke in a beige fabric that almost exactly matches the stuff I bought for my extra fins, but has a crinkly to it, almost like ribbing, which I think lends a realistic aspect to it.

I would also like to add that, while I love Noveli, and my fishbutt, I know now that it is not real neoprene inside my tail. It is, in fact, neoprin.

Progress Pictures:
Attachment 11337Attachment 11338
Attachment 11339Attachment 11340
Attachment 11341

attachments don't work :(

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Originally Posted by MermaidFenicia

attachments don't work :(

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Sorry sugar. Try again, I think I fixed it.

Looks great so far! <3

Yep, they work now :) Love your Ariel-cup ;)

Haha! Thanks. It was less than a buck at walmart.

No Walmart where I live (in Antwerp, Belgium) :(

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Originally Posted by MermaidFenicia

No Walmart where I live (in Antwerp, Belgium) :(

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http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM6006410505P how about princess cups online?

Looks awesome Dottie!

Dottie, I can see the page as It's us-only :(

Looks really nice, but aren't you afraid it might tear at the v-shape? Cause the monofin looks like it has a sharp v point and any material under stress will tear there (The joys of mechanical stresses) If I were you I would round it there to avoid tearing, the fabric over it will still make it show as if it was a sharp v

the design reminds me of Mermaid Forest. Such a great anime.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MermaidFenicia

Dottie, I can see the page as It's us-only

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Oh, I'm sorry Love. They're by Hallmark, if that helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Azurin Luna

Looks really nice, but aren't you afraid it might tear at the v-shape? Cause the monofin looks like it has a sharp v point and any material under stress will tear there (The joys of mechanical stresses) If I were you I would round it there to avoid tearing, the fabric over it will still make it show as if it was a sharp v

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I'm not too worried because the cut is so close to the rubber knot, and also because of how covered in duct tape it is. Plus, I'm betting I can fix it if it starts to tear. Which I'm 70% positive that it won't because of it's proximity to the rubber knot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DepthWitch

the design reminds me of Mermaid Forest. Such a great anime.

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Oh, I love anime. I'll have to check that out. ^_^

I have a confession;
I'm a little terrified to start my tail. I'm afraid I'm going to kill my serger or sewing machine trying to stitch thru this (albeit thin, at 1.5mm) neoprene.
I'm also worried about taking it in later, as I know I will have to, at some point.

What I wanted to do was have the seams on the outside so that I could make the scales crawl onto the side fins... but now I'm not sure. Could I accomplish this using aquaseal?
And I'm worried about trying to put it on later, with the beige fabric being on the outside, and the black rubber on the inside...

Don't worry about killing your machine, I was terrified of killing mine (with 2mm neoprene) and I was using Lube to line my needle but the machine would go really slow! So when I was sewing my side seam with the vinyl between the 2 sheets, I didn't use lube and it went through the machine like butter! It was amazing! I still went slowly because I dust want to break my needle or anything but I didn't even have to worry.

what kind of machine have you got, Dagger?

I'll have to check when I get home, but I believe it's a brother, not 100% sure though because I can be confusing my old machine with my new one. It does handle up to 6mm thickness for sure though.

Ah. Mine, too. Plus a Baby Lock Serger. Old, but good.

Okay, I'm gonna go for it, while the baby is down for his nap, I'm gonna cut it out.
I'm so nervous. I have belly-worm-wiggles....

@Mermaid Dottie: Mermaid Forest is very good but very hard to find. It is based on the Japanese legend that if a man eats the flesh of a mermaid he will become immortal and if he is not pure of heart he will become a monster. The main story is about a man that was tricked into eating a mermaid's flesh and becomes immortal and spends hundreds of years searching for another mermaid so he can eat her flesh and finally die and the side stories deal with other parts of the legend such as if a mermaid eats the flesh of a young woman she will take on her appearance. It is a wonderful classic anime but like I said it is very hard to find.

oOoOoOo...

Ok, so my machine is a brother sc6600, also, if you're looking for mermaid forest, try youtube, they have almost every episode there. Try ningyo no mori for the title

ah, nice.
I tried to stitch 2 pieces of scrap together, and basically, my machine tried to choke on it. so it looks like I'll be hand-stitching it, then sealing the seams with aquaseal.
Anyone have any tips for hand-stitching 1.5mm neoprene?

Get a leather needle for handsewing, it has 3 sides on the needle tip instead of a rounded one, this makes it easier to punch through the neoprene. Also get a rubber cap or something like that to protect your thumb, else you will have a sore thumb in no time.

Good luck with the hand sewing.

Thanks, Luna.

Photo Update:
Attachment 11404
One side stitched...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Dottie

ah, nice.
I tried to stitch 2 pieces of scrap together, and basically, my machine tried to choke on it. so it looks like I'll be hand-stitching it, then sealing the seams with aquaseal.
Anyone have any tips for hand-stitching 1.5mm neoprene?

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Mermaid Dottie,
Did you try using leather needle in your sewing machine? I believe Singer still packages them in two/pack maybe singles. Use the 100/16 for heavy weight. I punched and sewed leather with these needles. So it should go thru neoprene. Also, a trick for stitching sticky fabric, is to use wax paper between your feeder feet under the neoprene and use a teflon presser foot on top, or another layer of wax paper. You can sorta see thru the wax paper and it feeds great, then just tear it off like toilet paper!

Good Luck!
Mermaid Marla

Thanks Marla! I found some brown fabric in my stash that worked great to slide the rubber through.

Attachment 11407 This is the inside.
When I flipped it right side out, I found that I had a little bit of bunching on my side fins but I thought it made them look ruffle-y.
Attachment 11408

And Then I inserted the monofin. It makes the tail SO LONG.

Attachment 11409

Also I would just like to remark that, even though this stretches, I was kind of really excited when I had to take it about 1.5 inches.

AWESOME PROGRESS! I love it!!

I can't wait to start painting it. I just have to decide on a stencil...

Here are a couple of ideas....

Attachment 11412
Attachment 11413Attachment 11414

Anyone have any others?

LOVE the second one. Perfect for this tail!