Making a New Fabric Tail (purple and teal)!

[Mermaid Ankhali]

On the other hand, I was planning on painting the sides of the tail black and fading into the fabric. So, maybe I should do the double seam and that paint would hide it...that would make the triangle easier, but there would no place for a dorsal...


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[Aurelian]

That sounds like it would work. By the way, that's a great idea for making the tail. I'll remember it when I make mine. It seems like a good time-saver.

[PearlieMae]

I love your fabrics! I have many of the same ones! A little info on them, especially the scale fabric - they aren't very good with abrasion...the shiny wears off pretty quickly, as well as the color. I'm working on a silicone/fabric hybrid that I'm pretty happy with - a $30 trial size of Dragonskin from Smooth On is more than enough to coat your fabric tail in silicone to protect the finish. I coat the fabric before sewing it with a zigzag stitch for stretch.

Also, I make my fabric tails with one back seam. It's essentially a cone...I've drawn a basic pattern, but you can leave the bottom fabric uncut and configure it over your fin once you have it all assembled:

[Mermaid Ankhali]

I love your fabrics! I have many of the same ones! A little info on them, especially the scale fabric - they aren't very good with abrasion...the shiny wears off pretty quickly, as well as the color. I'm working on a silicone/fabric hybrid that I'm pretty happy with - a $30 trial size of Dragonskin from Smooth On is more than enough to coat your fabric tail in silicone to protect the finish. I coat the fabric before sewing it with a zigzag stitch for stretch.

Also, I make my fabric tails with one back seam. It's essentially a cone...I've drawn a basic pattern, but you can leave the bottom fabric uncut and configure it over your fin once you have it all assembled:

Wow, thanks, Pearlie! I always do the back seam by trial and error, but that pattern looks perfect. On the silicone side of things, I don't think that I have the skill level to coat my fabric in Dragonskin.


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[PearlieMae]

It's like spreading warm butter - super easy!

[Mermaid Ankhali]

How does one sew through silicone? Do you need an industrial machine? Or do you just do it by hand?


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[PearlieMae]

A regular sewing machine works fine. Just dust on some cornstarch or baby powder so it doesn't stick as it's going through. You can also use tissue paper that you tear away once you're done sewing. Use a wide zigzag stitch (I sew it twice, just to make it even stronger) so it will stretch when you're wearing it. A straight stitch will break.

[Mermaid Ankhali]

I'll have to ask my mom if I can buy it. They'll probably say no, though. Between our lack of income and the cost of college, I doubt they'll give me $30 to just experiment with.


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[Mermaid Ankhali]

Or maybe I'm just letting fear stop me from making something amazing


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[Mermaid Wesley]

Whatever you do I'm excited to see the result!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PearlieMae]

If you don't coat it, just be gentle with it...no butt scooting!

[Mermaid Ankhali]

If you don't coat it, just be gentle with it...no butt scooting!

Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[Mermaid Ankhali]

Which silicone do you prefer (Dragon Skin 10 Fast, Medium, Slow, 20, FX Pro?)


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[Mermaid Wesley]

Dragonskin 10 is the standard for tails. I like to use the slow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PearlieMae]

Depends on the application and how adept you are at working with the different speeds.

[Mermaid Ankhali]

So, now that my last big out-of-school project is done, I've got a bit of time to work on my (dream) tail! I'm so excited. Ok, so I was still having a bit of trouble visualizing how I could make the little triangle thingy while still maintaining the single back seam. So, what I've basically done here is I've taken a piece of dummy fabric and cut out the shape as it would look if I were to sew a two-seam tail. Then, I pinned the two halves together and cut them apart where the seam would be in the back to get a better visual of the flat shape that I would have to create.


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[Mermaid Ankhali]

Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[Mermaid Ankhali]

I've selected this black sparkly fabric to use as a dorsal and perhaps some extra fins. It has ALL the right colors in it!

[Mermaid Ankhali]

Okay, so I've forgotten to take pictures of the measurements, but here is the tail skin pinned up and ready to be sewn.


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[Mermaid Ankhali]

The tail body is done!


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk