Kalani's Hybrid Tail Adventure

[Ashe]

So I was inspired to start a new tail project! After I lost my funds and motivation to make a silicone tail, and was not at all happy with my current fabric tail, I've decided to find a halfway point between the two!

This tail will feature a painted spandex fabric body and fabric fins and fluke. The painted fins and fluke will have a DAP silicone overlay. I'm not going to mess with real silicone moulds as I am saving up my money to buy a full silicone tail from a tailmaker someday. I like the idea of DAP silicone because it is easy, inexpensive, and will give me the look that I am wanting! I have done a few paint tests with my silicone and Tulip brand paints, and everything seems to be working smoothly. I am very excited to see the outcome of this tail and share my technique with everybody.

I found the most amazing fabric at Jo-Ann today! I went into the store with a silver tail in mind but the second I saw this, I knew it was mine. Just look at all of the colors it reflects And these two are my accent colors. I am going to use the darker blue on the back of the tail, and the lighter blue to blend and add a little bit more dimension.




I am going to be using my Finis Competitor monofin in this tail. I am going to seal it in the tail so I don't have to mess with velcro or zippers, but once this tail is worn out I'll easily be able to take it out without any damage. I'll be sure to keep some draining holes for it

I know that DAP silicone is becoming popular, so it would be such a big help if any mers who have used it would share a couple of pointers! I've invested a chunk of my silicone tail savings into this project so I would be very happy to see it pay off

Looking forward to sharing progress with you mers!

[Ashe]

To give you an idea of what is going on in my head, here is a quick mock up of the general design. I want really nice blending and thin layers of paint so you can still see that iridescent gold! I know I want fins, but I haven't quite decided where and how big... My fluke is inspired by the beautiful Linden Wolbert's tail!

[Mermaid Mystery]

this is gonna be bomb

[Ashe]

Making quick work so I can take my time painting and doing final silicone tests throughout the week! I've cut my pattern and I'm about to sew. I have quite a lot of fabric left over as I rounded up an extra half-yard in case I made a mistake. I want to begin a matching top tonight as well!



You can really see just how thick the material is! I think it is going to look so great in the water

[Mermaid Alea]

Oh my gosh when I saw the title of this thread and that it was by you I got so excited!
I love the fabric you picked I would have been drawn to that fabric as well! I am a sucker for color changing stuff.

I will admit I was a bit weary when mers started using DAP silicone since it reminded me of Alex plus which of course was found to be unhealthy, but seeing as DAP silicone is so widely used for aquariums and houses plus it says it is food grade I guess I shouldn't be so weary about it. I feel like it would have a long lifespan too?

I am definitely excited to see how this goes!

[Ashe]

Thank you Alea! Knowing that Fifi Tigg (on of my inspirations for this tail) makes gorgeous commercial tails using DAP, I decided it would be a safe way to go! It holds up well and had passed all of my tests so far.

Currently working on my top! I simply modified an old swimsuit into a strapless top and am now applying the gold fabric. I want to make it really ornate with some seaglass colored pebbles tat are the same blue that I will be using on the tail. I want to use both paint and silicone on this top so I can see just how everything looks before painting my tail.

[Keiris]

Great Start Kalani!!! Good for you!!! Good luck!

[Ashe]

First coat of paint is on! I opted for a very light blue, because I didn't want to take away from the beauty of the fabric - just give it a bit of dimension. This is the back of the tail here, the front side will not be covered in the paint. Over the next few layers, I will be smoothing out the lines and adding a bit more paint to my bum and heels. This will help protect my tail if and when it scuffs on the ground!

I created the texture using a sponge, and I really like the effect. It's almost like scales, but very organic and just gives it that extra bit of detail. I am very happy with the result! I love how you can still see that iridescent gold shining through, everything is going so much better than I imagined it would! I also have a plan for helping to hide the seams, but that will come after the tail is all stitched together.

I have decided to name her Psyche because of the beautiful psychedelic colors that appear in the light.

[Ashe]

I's still at such a loss for fins, however. I'm not sure if I want a half dorsal (I'm not a fan of full dorsals) on my calves or pectorals or ankle fins or what! I really love how Mermaid Kariel and Mermaid Dana do their fins with that fringe, but I'm not sure if it would work with my tail. I'm going for a realistic approach but I'm not sure if the fringe quite cuts it. I'm thinking of just a nice big dorsal and leaving it at that. Hmmm...

[Ashe]

First coat of paint dried to the color of the words in my signature, and it is so pretty! Became very translucent in the thinner parts, so the glow of the fabric underneath was completely visible. Running my hand over it felt very cool! Gave it a slippery rubbery feel. Laid on the second coat of paint and will add one more protective layer after class today before moving onto the front side. I think I will paint the flukes together as I can lay them side by side on my table and paint them together.

[SeaGlass Siren]

Oh my god I love that fabric!!! I have a thing for shiny fabric tails! This is gonna be so awesome!!

[Seraphina Suds]

Yay, you're doing it! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Sent from my C6725 using Tapatalk

[Ashe]

Thank you girls! I totally forgot to mention that Seraphina was a huge help when this tail was just a concept in my head

I keep on second guessing my colors, I love how the mint blue looks, but I'm a sucker for green and gold... I'll have to just wait a bit before putting silicone on my fins. I can easily change the color on the body but not so much on the fluke... Any suggestions?

[Mermaid Wesley]

Ooooh how pretty!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dancing Fish]

LOVE that fabric! I wonder what it is!

[Ashe]

LOVE that fabric! I wonder what it is!

I wish it had a name that I could share with you, but I don't believe Jo-Ann does that. All I can say it that it is a four way stretch spandex with a holograph print

I know that holographic print is risky as it usually scratches off very quickly, but I am painting it in such a way that the highest risk areas will not be affected

[Ashe]

So I've been doing a lot of thinking and I believe I know exactly what I want to do with this tail. Last spring, I quickly made a scrap tail that would fit my new Competitor monofin for Hawaii. The tail was finished the day before the trip and consisted of my very first neoprene tail that I made and some scrap fabric for the fluke. It lasted one swim before falling apart again, but I loved how it looked and I had so many children coming up to me with the most priceless expressions. It was such a magical day.

So, I want to recreate that tail and just really kick it up a notch, bring back some of those amazing memories. I repainted the back of the new tail with the same green paint and am currently waiting for it to dry! The Hawaii tail had a golden half dorsal on the calves and a touch of pinkish maroon. I'm excited for the pop of pink because it is nearly the same exact color of my hair! I'm happy that I will be tied to my tail like that

[WaterDragon]

That is going to look amazing, I'm so happy that you are going to recreate that tail

[Mermaid Wesley]

awesome!

[Luna Dreamtide]

Gorgeous fabric choice. I can't wait to see how it turns into out!