The Making of a Mermaid Tail

Here is a tutorial on how to make a mermaid tail of your own. Sorry if my voice fluctuates, I recorded different parts of this at different times over the course of about a month as both tails were completed.

Basic Zipper Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs0v3a2IqJk
Basic Elastic Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3fIIxogwJc
How to Paint Mermaid Flukes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZxFpmP1G-U

Special thanks to my mother who did all the sewing (since she doesn't trust me around her machines yet. ;) ) I'd also like to thank Molly, Awena, and Coraline for supervising different aspects of the making of the tail and my fiancé for always believing in me and supporting my strange hobbies.


__Cleaning and Tail Care__
To care for your tail so it lasts a long time, make sure you clean it. In some public pools there is a chlorine neutralizer rinse next to their water aerobics equipment. I have had no problem dipping my tail in these rinse buckets. This will help get rid of that smell as well.

If you have no rinse buckets at your pool, cleaning is still simple. Remove the monofin from the fluke and wash the tail by hand. So far I have used laundry soap on it and it was just fine. Hang the tail to dry. Do NOT put it in the dryer. Heat on the mermaid tail is a big NO-NO since it can ruin the fabric and cause shrinkage and color fading.

When you are not swimming in your tail and need to store it, simply take the fin out and hang it on a hanger in the closet. Be sure to keep the fin nearby so you will always know where it is.


__Traveling with the Tail__
Taking your tail to the coast, to the lake, or on a family vacation is a lot of fun. My black tail went across the country with me to the east coast and then up and down it. If you are traveling by plane, make sure your monofin will fit in your suitcase. The monofin is flexible and will bend a little, but you will not want to bend it too far or for too long. My monofin was bent slightly for about 8 hours for my trip to the east coast. However, when I got there, I took it out of the suitcase and let it 'breathe,' even placing objects on the fin to help it get flat again. It is also wise to take with you a seal-able plastic bag that will hold your tail. Chances are if you are on the road, and especially if you are hotel hopping, you will need something to store your wet tail in so it doesn't get everything else all wet. Hanging it to dry overnight may not always completely dry it out.


__Swimming with a Tail__
Swimming with a tail can be a feat to master. Do not swim alone when in your tail, especially if you are new to the experience. Most people are a little weirded out the first time they swim with their legs bound together. The monofin alone will make you swim faster, but you swim speed will slow down to a little above normal, normal, or even slower than normal with the tail on because of drag. How much drag you experience depends on how elaborate the tail is, what materials it's made of, and how many layers are involved.

For beginners, keep to sallower waters to begin with. Work on swimming without having to dart for the side of the pool and get used to the feeling of moving your legs together to swim. Only when you have gotten the kick down and can swim strongly in the tail would I suggest moving to deeper waters. Only swim in familiar waters or pools.




Look for new swimming videos soon!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• mermaid
• tail
• how
• to
• make
• sewing
• painting
• mermaids

[DigitalGlow]

I know this video is old and you have made more tails, but I have a question about the end/tip of the tail. Your tail moves so gracefully, and you can't really see the shape of the monofin/outline of the curve when you swim. Did you cut your mono-fin to have the mermaid tail like shape, or do you just extend your fabric long enough it hides it? I hope that makes sense @.@

[LittleOrca]

@DigitalGlow I did not cut the monofin. :) I Just extended the fabric.

[talkingtree4]

5:9- 5:11 where did u get that pillow!!!

[LittleOrca]

@talkingtree4 Was a gift from my Fiance

[alexibobz005]

can u use a large peace of wrapping paper?

[LittleOrca]

@alexibobz005 I don't see why not. :)

[vladmyrjv]

Merlissa! I <3 your tail.

[poppy201011]

at 1:24 isn't that girl/madison from the movie splash?

[mimitee7]

y name your self LittleOrca?!?! your beutiful no matter what you look like and plus thank you for this guide to make a mermaid tail i really appreciate it plus make yourself a mermaid seris! Remember no matter what you look like it really maters what your look like on the inside and your personallity too! *skye*

[Kristy1463]

@LittleOrca did you get married yet?

[kisses0114]

I have a quick qusetion! I dont have a monofin, and I dont have the money to buy one, so is there any way you could tell me what kind of materials are used to make one? Thank you very much!

[AquaMarissa6500]

For ur lil' mermaid journal,exactly wat is it 4?i mean,like,do u take down measurements 2?cuz i need 1 4 mine and my sister's tail.o,and culd u evr hav the time 2 look at my sister's mermaid show next summer? it's called The Mermaids of Diamond Cove.she would be so very happy 2 kno that "the famous" littleorca has watched her show.She's playing Izzy Chambers.

thx

~Aqua Marissa6500

[Princeoftheocean1]

hi guess, if you would like to know how to make a monofin click on my channel below!

i recomend my instructions because it is easy and cheap and you can make it to the shape and size that you desire!...

[mymermaidstory]

@KiwiTheLovebird cant u just but one on ebay?