In the world of Kitsune characters, there are popular characters that have tails made out of non-fuzzy material. Crystal tails and elemental tails (such as fire tails) are a fairly common interpretation. So this post will go into different considerations and methods for designing a costume with a magic tail.
Crystal Persuasion
- Is it going to be opaque or semi-transparent (see-through)
- What color(s) to use
- Adding any lights or special effects
- Position and number of tails
Materials for the Tail
Transparent tails you are likely going to be limited to PETG plastic or Worbla Clear
You can add Reflective materials: vinyl, cellophane, mirror tape, Cricut paper, spandex
Due to the tail needing to be posed, you're likely going to need supports for the tail that are rather solid.
You can still use any of the material for a posed fur tail such as Wire, pool noodles, but most tails used a more solid support such as a pvc rod, acrylic rod, wooden dowel.
Making Tail Patterns
The crystal tail is made up of facets that form the fox tail shape. So you have a couple choices on patterns.
One, download a premade pattern. I've linked to a few below but these require you to print out the templates trace them onto your final material, then cut and assemble the pieces.
Or you create a pattern yourself. This can be done by creating a duct tape form that you draw facets onto then cut. You can also sculpt a smaller version of the tail with air clay, wrap it in duct tape and create a scaled down version of your pattern. It'll take some mathematical measurement conversions but you'll have the necessary shape.
Alternatively, you can create/find a 3D model, then use an unwrapping program like Pepakura to create a pattern. (See Pepakura tutorial linked below).
References:
Patterns
eBook
Videos:
Transparent Tails:
Opaque Tails
Elemental Tails
So Crystal tails and ICE tails are covered, let's talk about the other elements.
These tail designs are a bit more on the abstract side so you have your choice of interpretation of things like wind, fire or water.
The key to these tails is to determine the support structure and build around that. Fire, water and air are "flexible" so a wire based structure makes sense. Wood, Stone, or Metal are less wiggly so a more solid shape would be appropriate.
Materials
- Tulle
- Gauze
- Wired Ribbon
- Foss Shape
- Spandex
- Sequined Fabric
- Faux Fur
- EVA Foam
- Thermal Plastics
- PETG
- Paper Mache
- Foam
- etc
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