Dying the mermaid tail: Main body

Once the test samples of dyed fabric were dried and colours where compared I was able too decide on which tones would look best running down through the tail.
Opting for the darker greens and turquoises, I figured out the order of the colour range starting at the top at the waist, darkening down towards the feet.

In order to create the gradiented colour effect a 'rig' had to be set up that worked by lifting out sections of fabric from the dye bath and allowing the garment to hang. However the quilted tail fin simply needed to be propped up in a vat with the dye regularly spooned up to ensure a gradual ombre as opposed to a harsh line.

Starting with the lightest colour, sections of the tail were dipped then lifted out of the dye and tied or clamped above it. Gravity would also pull the dye through the piece of costume assisting in the gradient, but spooning colour up regularly was the best method of creating a good ombre.

This process was repeated several times with varying shades of blue and green, ending with the darkest. Before taking it out of the vats and rinsing through with cold water,  I adjusted the rig so either end of the tail got a few minutes of extra concentrated dye to ensure a more vibrant colour.