I was asked to make a brief summary of the materials used in this top. So here we go Merfolk!
- Silicone shells
- Sil-poxy, special glue for the silicone shells
- Bra
- Derocative fishnet
- Sequins
- pearls
- Fake plants
- Needle
- thread
- At the end of the page you’ll find suggestions for where you can buy serveral of these items.
Mini tutorial
Buy a top base. The skin tone bikini tops from the Merfolk Basics range are a good choice.
Attach the netting if you want it to be behind the shells.
Glue the shells to the top. Let them dry overnight. For optimum attachment, add something heavy into the shells while drying.
Sew the pearls on where you like them.
Sew sequins on. You can choose to sew them on individually or in a row. If you want to sew them in a row. Make sure you sew them on in the length, and not in the width. I you sew them in the width you will loose (some) of your stretch.
Add fake plants as decoration. They don’t stretch so be sure to stretch the band of the bra before sewing them on so you don’t loose the stretch.
Shopping tips
Merfolk basic skin tone tops -> out of stock right now but can be made to measure by Mermaid Lelie. Contact her if you are interested.
Silicone shells:
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/609503754/silicone-abalone-shells
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/641908170/silicone-lion-paw-shells
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/FancyFishFashions?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=771746310§ion_id=25269933
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/165286472/xl-soft-mermaid-seashells
Silicone starfish:
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/641910934/silicone-starfish-for-mermaid-tops
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/716076339/dark-yellow-silicone-seastar-set
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/1132947139/waterproof-silicon-starfish-cup
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/702219530/green-black-silicone-seastars-set-with
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/716077723/custom-coloured-seastar-set
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/724475571/salmon-silicone-seastar-set-with-white
When buying the shells or starfishes, always check the size. If you don’t like the colour, you can always ask if they want to make a custom one. Not everyone will do that, but some will. There are sellers from different continents in this list. Check it before you buy so you won’t be surprised.
Sil-poxy-> best place in Europe to buy it is FormX I would advise to buy the big tube
Pearls you can buy pearl in sewing shops, but I also use second hand necklaces. And if you don’t have anything in your area. Etsy is always a good idea.
Fake plants, ikea is the way to go
Sequins, etsy is a good source or you can contact mermaid Lelie to check what the current colours are the she offers (will be added to the webshop in the future).
Fishnet, sometimes you can find it in fabric stores. The one that I used for this top, is this pack. The brown colour isn’t available anymore. There are other option to find on Bol.com
Hope this summary helps to inspires you.
