~Mermaid Tail~
OK, this is one of those projects that looks really neat but isn't too serviceable if you're trying to get somewhere. Or for that matter, even bend your knees. I enjoy photography though, and you can get some nice fantasy pictures with an underwater camera.
Supplies Needed
3 or 4 rolls of seran wrap, any color
MANY rolls of clear packaging tape
A 1 ft. zipper. Try to match the color of your seran wrap
Waterproof adhesive. Try the vinyl adhesive used in pool patching kits, it's not too expensive
Needle & thread matching your seran wrap color
A pair of panty hose or knee highs
A trusted friend (pick a good one, you'll be at their mercy)
Instructions
Ok, first step is to basically mummify yourself from the waist down in plastic wrap (Figure 1). Put on the panty hose or thigh highs (thigh highs are probably more comfortable. You'll be in there for a while) so you can get out of the tail easier when you're done. Begin wrapping yourself in seran wrap in a criss crossing pattern over and around your legs. You can probably get it down to your knees without help, but after that you'll need a friend to finish because it becomes increasingly more difficult to reach your toes. Stand on a chair to make it easier on them. When you get to the feet, you'll have to lay down on something so they can wrap your toes. Put one foot slighly over the other so it forms a pointier tail. Use enough coats of plastic wrap to make your tail as opaque as you want it.
Next, get the millions of rolls of packaging tape. It has to be perfectly clear, not that disgusting brown tinted stuff. Wrap the tail entirely from top to bottom with it so the plastic wrap doesn't come undone. Fold the tape along the waistline so the edge is covered too. Try not to leave any spots undone. If you want, you can even sprinkle in glitter under the tape. I haven't tried it but it might add a neat effect.
Now you can finally get out of your sauna. Cut it 1 ft. on one of your hips, doesn't matter which one (Figure 2). This is where you'll be putting the zipper. Now just attempt to wiggle out as easily as possible so you don't peel layers off from the inside.
Once you've cut it down the side and extricated yourself, the plastic on each side of the cut should be split because of the tape sticking to only one layer of plastic. At first this looks like a bad thing, but that's where you slip the sides of the zipper in at. Cover the sides of the zipper in adhesive(I used 'wet' vinyl adhesive) and stick it between the layers. Hold it in place for a few minutes until it's dry enough to stay on its own. Do this to both sides and when they've dried, sew a zig zag line from top to bottom of the zipper to strengthen it (Figure 3).
Now that the body of the tail is done, it needs flukes. To make them, lay out one sheet of clear plastic wrap for each fluke as long as you want them to be. Start sticking long strips of packaging tape to it on both sides (Figure 4). Make them as thick as you want the flukes to be. Neatness doesnt count yet, so if you have thousands of stray edges of tape sticking out, don't worry about it.
Next, just draw out the shape you want the flukes to be on a large piece of paper for the pattern. When you're done, lay it over the tape and cut out your shape (Figure 5). When you have it trimmed to your satisfaction, start wrapping them in your colored plastic wrap. This time neatness counts. When you're done, wrap it in tape like you did to the rest of the tail.
To attatch the flukes to the body, you need to make a ring out of tape that will fit snugly around the end of the tail (Figure 6). Tape the flukes securely to the ring positioned as you want them.
To attatch the ring to the tail, wrap a bit of your colored seran wrap over the ring after sliding it on. Then criss cross tape over it to secure it to the body (Figure 7). Now you're basically done. Details can be added with different colors of seran wrap or hologram paper, glitter, etc.
***If you plan on wearing this in water for pictures, add liquid latex around the waist band to keep water out of the tail. Always stay in water that's not over your head. Otherwise you could sink like a rock.***
Hey, we learn from experience.....
I'm currently working on another tail made of actual swimwear material. I have in mind something like the tails by Thom Shouse (Madison's tail in Splash).
And yet another brainstorm....Wetsuit material! With actual scuba flippers built in for fins. This will be my third tail. My plan is to actually make one you can swim in.
