Two-tailed project! One fabric, one silicone

[Lotus the Mermaid]

It's so cool! It reminds me of a traditional style painting of a Japanese koi.

[Mermaid Bailey]

Those big scales are so lovely!

[SIF]

I just found my box full of the old MLP ponies the other day...

[MermaidAine]

Looks great!


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[JamesGunnels]

Your silicone tail is fabulous. Cannot wait to see it finished. Absolutely beautiful work.

[Dancing Fish]

Me today:

Body is done! And WOW does it sparkle and shine in the sun.


I wrestled the thing off the dummy, rolled it up, crammed my feet in...and was promptly impaled by four pins that I'd missed. OWOWOWOWOW. After removing the little devils, I tried again. THE SUCKER FITS ME. OMG. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS. EVERYTHING IS ACTUALLY WORKING. I am literally bouncing around like a crazy person and now I must share with the world my joy. MY JOY! HAVE SOME!

(Tempered with the realization that my belly really IS that big. Sigh.)

It's not perfect-- it's not high enough on or snug enough around my waist for my taste, so I really do need to extend it a bit on all sides. I expected that I would. It's going to be just simple flat powermesh covered with skin-tone silicone from here on up, without any attempt at blending, because I kind of like how the top turned out. Well...MAYBE a second layer of the little scales. 'cause they're cute. Aw, heck, I dunno. I'm too amazed that it all came together so brilliantly! And I can easily roll it down enough to reach the heel straps (the benefits of being a wider woman, I suppose) so I don't have to worry about never being able to tighten the monofin.

Next step: slime coat, inside and out....then attach the fluke!

But, seriously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKWpGJ4Xhw8

[Dancing Fish]

And I'm ultimately extremely happy I added the blue, because otherwise my butt would resemble a very shiny pine cone. *giggle* Thanks again for all the compliments, guys! I would *love* to do a betta fish inspired tail with these big scales.

Now with fluke! Woohoo!

[Mermaid Freyja]

It's so beautiful!!!!!

[PearlieMae]

Me today:

Body is done! And WOW does it sparkle and shine in the sun.


I wrestled the thing off the dummy, rolled it up, crammed my feet in...and was promptly impaled by four pins that I'd missed. OWOWOWOWOW. After removing the little devils, I tried again. THE SUCKER FITS ME. OMG. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS. EVERYTHING IS ACTUALLY WORKING. I am literally bouncing around like a crazy person and now I must share with the world my joy. MY JOY! HAVE SOME!

(Tempered with the realization that my belly really IS that big. Sigh.)

It's not perfect-- it's not high enough on or snug enough around my waist for my taste, so I really do need to extend it a bit on all sides. I expected that I would. It's going to be just simple flat powermesh covered with skin-tone silicone from here on up, without any attempt at blending, because I kind of like how the top turned out. Well...MAYBE a second layer of the little scales. 'cause they're cute. Aw, heck, I dunno. I'm too amazed that it all came together so brilliantly! And I can easily roll it down enough to reach the heel straps (the benefits of being a wider woman, I suppose) so I don't have to worry about never being able to tighten the monofin.

Next step: slime coat, inside and out....then attach the fluke!

But, seriously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKWpGJ4Xhw8

WOW!!!! WOWEE WOW!!!

Ouch, too! I should have mentioned somewhere to go over your tail with a magnet to make sure you got all the pins!!!

This is WONDERFUL! I am so excited for you!

When you extend the top, make it tight so it holds in...stuff! I did mine to fit me initially, then went back and snugged it up and I'm SO glad I did! Built in girdle and no muffin top! No mer-crack, either!

When you do the slime coat inside, seal it all generously so there's no place for mold to hide, but don't push it so much that it oozes out the front between the scales...you'll seal all that when you do the outer top coat.

I LOVE YOUR COPPER AND LAPIS LAZULI TAIL!

PS: I don't know about you, but every time I see my mannequin hanging in the studio, I still groan over the size of my massive ass!

[Dancing Fish]

WOW!!!! WOWEE WOW!!!

Ouch, too! I should have mentioned somewhere to go over your tail with a magnet to make sure you got all the pins!!!

This is WONDERFUL! I am so excited for you!

When you extend the top, make it tight so it holds in...stuff! I did mine to fit me initially, then went back and snugged it up and I'm SO glad I did! Built in girdle and no muffin top! No mer-crack, either!

When you do the slime coat inside, seal it all generously so there's no place for mold to hide, but don't push it so much that it oozes out the front between the scales...you'll seal all that when you do the outer top coat.

I LOVE YOUR COPPER AND LAPIS LAZULI TAIL!

PS: I don't know about you, but every time I see my mannequin hanging in the studio, I still groan over the size of my massive ass!

I don't know if the magnet would've found them-- they were well sealed-in, supporting one of the side fins at the bottom. I had to make a small cut in the mesh to get them out. (Bonehead)
Thanks, will do!

I don't mind the big ass...it's the big belly that gets me down. Next tail will definitely have a tighter waistline. On the other hand, this tail is extremely comfortable, light, stretchy, and I managed to get into it without using lube. I can even still bend my knees! (I engineered in a slightly bent knee just in case, as you can see). Hopefully it's not TOO loose!

Question: did you add more scales to cover the heel region than you used on top? Or did you just rely on stretchiness? I had my daughter take a bunch of pics of the region and I think I'll be adding more scales to compensate for bendy heels. There's no way I can swim in this thing without occasionally standing up in it, and I don't want to stress the heel region too much.

ETA: also on my third bucket of silicone. Yikes! This took far more than I thought it would!

[Mermaid Alea]

So are you/have you attached the fluke or are you going to have it removable? This has been a wonderful tail making thread to follow. I just love your colors and design and I think your tail is my favorite tail with big scales.

You have been such an inspiration!

[Dancing Fish]

So are you/have you attached the fluke or are you going to have it removable? This has been a wonderful tail making thread to follow. I just love your colors and design and I think your tail is my favorite tail with big scales.

You have been such an inspiration!

Thanks! I do plan to attach it. I need to make even more scales first...

[Seraphina Suds]

Fantastic!! Can't wait to see you have your first swim in it!

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[MermaidAine]

OMG it is sooooo pretty!!!!

[IllynReaver]

But you make such a lovely shiney pinecone! make all the boy pinecones go WAAAAAAAHH!

in all seriousness, your tail is absolutely amazing! I'm so happy for you that it's turning out the way you want.

[jvry8c]

Very awesome. Normally im not a big fan of large scales but you did a mind blowingly good job with this tail where they look believable. The tail Reminds me of a koi but I'm guessing that's what you were going for.

[Merman Lir]

It's magnificent!

[PearlieMae]

Question: did you add more scales to cover the heel region than you used on top? Or did you just rely on stretchiness? I had my daughter take a bunch of pics of the region and I think I'll be adding more scales to compensate for bendy heels. There's no way I can swim in this thing without occasionally standing up in it, and I don't want to stress the heel region too much.

Not any more than what I needed to bridge the gap between tailbody and fluke. I had a bunch there initially to compensate for standing, but it looked bunchy, so I took out about half. what I DID do was reinforce the area on the inside with a couple extra layers of powermesh and silicone!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

OMG. This tail is so glorious. :'D It's just so beautiful. You're seriously talented, Dancing! Omg. I can't stop staring at it! Seriously! GORGEOUS!!! I can't wait for your first swim video!!! Omg. :'D LOVE IT!!!

[Dancing Fish]

Well, argh. My lovely girl's glitter project exploded all over my tail. Hmm. Water isn't washing it off, and neither is alcohol. Anyone know a better way to deglitterify silicone? LOL. I'd also love the secret to washing off cat hair. Should've vacuumed before flipping all over the floor!

And that's another great suggestion Pearlie! You have literally saved me tons of time and grief!