Making a New Fabric Tail (purple and teal)!

[Mermaid Ankhali]

So this is basically what I spent the whole day doing.


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[Mermaid Ankhali]

Even though I am beginning to like this tail again, I must still urge anyone who is using this fabric: DO NOT SWIM IN CHLORINE WITH THE BARE FABRIC. Here's a before/after comparison of what happened after just one swim:

Yaya Han, I expected better from you.


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[Mermaid Bree]

Looks like a chemical reaction between the sequins and the 'foil' on the fabric - most sequins are made from metalized mylar, and it's possible that there was a little 'battery' action occuring, if those dark stains are where the sequins were.

[Slim]

I feel the struggle.

Even though I am beginning to like this tail again, I must still urge anyone who is using this fabric: DO NOT SWIM IN CHLORINE WITH THE BARE FABRIC. Here's a before/after comparison of what happened after just one swim:

Yaya Han, I expected better from you.


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[Arking]

Looks like a chemical reaction between the sequins and the 'foil' on the fabric - most sequins are made from metalized mylar, and it's possible that there was a little 'battery' action occuring, if those dark stains are where the sequins were.

Fascinating, and yet terrible at the same time. Fortunately the pattern seem to be identifiable yet which means it can be repainted.

With a little patience you'll be able to cover up the mess but this is a tragic turn of events. I'm glad you're not giving up, you've got this just a some patch work and you'll be back in the water in no time.

[lotusauriel]

I have metallic green mermaid scale leggings, where the color has rubbed out in places they rub together too. I wish I knew of a way to fix or prevent this. I guess this means I need to do something else for the water corset I'm planning. Was going to use a Yaya Han iridescent spandex, kinda like your fluke, as a top layer. Whether you try to rework it, or start over, if you use the same fabrics, maybe do it as the base to a partial silicone tail, and pipe silicone scales on top of it. I don't know if it will obscure the colors and pattern or not. You would have to use your body form, because it won't be stretchy anymore. I am going to have to test this theory.

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[PearlieMae]

Silicone over sequins will only end in tears. Tears in the silicone and tears from your eyes!

You could paint a coat of silicone over the tail, little bits at a time, and literally paint it around the sequins. I if you tint your silicone with a tiny bit of pigment, you might be able to restore some of its former glory. Or wait until Joann's has a 60% off coupon and start over with a new piece of that fabric... I know that's a lot to take on, but sometimes it's easier to start again, than beat yourself up trying to resurrect your prototype. The second tail will go so much faster, too, now that you know what not to do.

Keep your tail on the form to work on, if you do decide to try and repair this one, it makes life a lot easier. Straighten out a wire coat hanger and pierce it through the top of the body form (then twist it back together) so you can hang it up to work on it. It makes life easier.

I'm sorry you ran into so much trouble! Good luck!

[Mermaid_Izzy]

I don't know if she's on MerNetwork, but she was at MerMania. (Here's the link to her Instagram: http://instagram.com/one_mermaid_fantasy)

But she posted on Instagram about how swimming in a fabric, very similar to this, destroyed it.

Link to post:https://instagram.com/p/BVazW9TBhTL/



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[Mermaid Ankhali]

Looks like a chemical reaction between the sequins and the 'foil' on the fabric - most sequins are made from metalized mylar, and it's possible that there was a little 'battery' action occuring, if those dark stains are where the sequins were.

Oh, no, the dark spots are spots that I painted on. The stripes were originally to cover the knee abrasions, but I kind of like them now.


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[Mermaid Ankhali]

So I think that I'm going to start over and take another crack at this tail. I've got some coupons from JoAnn's, so I'll get some new fabric as soon as I can. I'm not sure what I'll do with this tail. I mean, it is technically swimmable now, and since I'm not going to coat it in silicone, maybe I should just swim in it for as long as I can. Oh, by he way, I found that airbrushing with iridescent violet Createx paint at least partially covered the discoloration.


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[Mermaid Ankhali]

I wanted to paint spots on this tail because of a design that I drew of what my dream tail might look like one day:

Yes, it most certainly is a Merbella's full silicone (Hearts out to you, Raven, you awesome tail maker you!) When I saw this fabric, I thought that it would be perfect to make the fabric version of this tail. Maybe, once I start over, I can paint in the spots and they won't look like damage because the fabric will still look shiny and new.


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[Mermaid Ankhali]

Oh, btw, I plan on utilizing the same fluke design that I started out with.


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[Mermaid Ankhali]

I suppose I should have posted this earlier, but, inspirations for this tail project include:
Mermaid Raven: my fluke design is inspired by her Angler fluke (my all time favorite silicone tail fluke)
Courtney Mermaid: inspired the sequined scales, obviously
Gothic architecture: inspired parts of the fluke design.


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[Sea~Phoenix Savannah]

Oh my gosh! Kali I've been following this thread from the beginning and it was heartbreaking to see the damage. That being said I love how determined you are and the black stripes on the sides look really cool. I wish you much luck on the remake/ resurrection whichever you choose. I'm also glad the YaYa Han fabric only d do anything to you, other mers have experienced burns and fabric disintegration.

[Mermaid Ankhali]

Oh my gosh! Kali I've been following this thread from the beginning and it was heartbreaking to see the damage. That being said I love how determined you are and the black stripes on the sides look really cool. I wish you much luck on the remake/ resurrection whichever you choose. I'm also glad the YaYa Han fabric only d do anything to you, other mers have experienced burns and fabric disintegration.

Oh my cod, are you serious? That is awful! Has Yaya Han said anything about that?
...I suppose I can't just swim in this tail until it falls apart, then.


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[Sea~Phoenix Savannah]

Unfortunately I am (trust me I wish I wasn't). I know, it's good the knowledge is out there now. Honestly I haven't looked up any recalls or official statements from her on the matter so I don't know.
I personally wouldn't recommend swimming in it more just because someone passed out after wearing a costume made from it for two hours. My guess is that the sweating caused the chemical on the back to loosen and transfer to the skin, at the same time slowly tightening on the wearer to the point that it caused a decrease in both circulation and available oxygen.

And if you want a safer alternative Spandex World and Spandex House are my go-tos.

[Slim]

I've been swimming in a saltwater pool and I haven't experienced the burn yet. The color fading hasn't even started yet so I think that maybe a chlorine reaction thing to it. The fluke made a with a different fabric than what I ordered is a different story. I guess it can really only be worn in a chemical-less body of water.

[Slim]

I wish I seen this two months ago.

Unfortunately I am (trust me I wish I wasn't). I know, it's good the knowledge is out there now. Honestly I haven't looked up any recalls or official statements from her on the matter so I don't know.
I personally wouldn't recommend swimming in it more just because someone passed out after wearing a costume made from it for two hours. My guess is that the sweating caused the chemical on the back to loosen and transfer to the skin, at the same time slowly tightening on the wearer to the point that it caused a decrease in both circulation and available oxygen.

And if you want a safer alternative Spandex World and Spandex House are my go-tos.

[Sea~Phoenix Savannah]

I've been swimming in a saltwater pool and I haven't experienced the burn yet. The color fading hasn't even started yet so I think that maybe a chlorine reaction thing to it. The fluke made a with a different fabric than what I ordered is a different story. I guess it can really only be worn in a chemical-less body of water.

Oh that's great. And that's even better! It may be, it could also be the body's reaction to it (in your case a lack there of ). Also I can imagine if it was coated with silicone on the inside it wouldn't (be as) likely to cause that effect. Another thing is you have to follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter to avoid the side effects, but it doesn't guarantee they won't happen. I've decided to stay away from that particular line.

That's too bad about the fluke fabric. What brand was it and what did it do? If you don't mind my asking, never bad to have more information!

[Sea~Phoenix Savannah]

I wish I seen this two months ago.

Aww Well at least you know now! I love those places.