Tutorial published on December 26, 2020
​Updated on June 4, 2023

DISCLAIMER:

• This tutorial is meant for educational purposes only.
• Rinazuha and any contributor of this tutorial are not liable for any mistakes, harms, injuries, or damages incurred while attempting to follow and perform the instructions in any part of this tutorial.
• The instructions involve the use of potentially hazardous tools and materials, including but not limited to paints and glues, scissors and knives, heat gun, electric or power tools, etc.
• By following and attempting the instructions from this tutorial, you are the sole responsible party for any consequences incurred to you or your environment. Rinazuha and any contributor of this tutorial are not involved in any way and are exempt from all possible consequences involved in any attempts using this tutorial. Please read carefully and use extreme caution and common sense while attempting to perform or modify any part of this tutorial. 
• If you are a MINOR: do not attempt to follow and perform any process of this tutorial without adult permission and/or supervision.

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      As requested, here is my K/DA Ahri tails write-up/tutorial, after taking over 2 years to finish it. I made my tails to be very lightweight (weighing under 4 lbs), full, posable, mobile, and durable. I hope you enjoy this tutorial.

      Although these tails are really simple to make and do not require a sewing machine, they are very time-consuming to make, so make sure to set aside enough time to complete.​
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      It took me about 20 hours of work to complete them, not including the wait time for the custom CNC routing polycarbonate sheets. The result will be almost seamless-looking, posable, full "crystal" tails. They are also very easy to store as well without damaging them.

      I forgot to take photos for many parts of this tutorial, so if you have any questions or need the pattern for the harness base and/or the tail covers, feel free contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or by email at [email protected].

*This tutorial is best viewed on desktop 1920x1080p ​using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox*

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Materials needed:

• Size 8-32 screws, nuts, and washers
• 12 gauge galvanized steel wires
• 1/8" thick polycarbonate sheet
• 3 - isABelt 1" wide clear belt straps
• Heavy duty packing tape
• 5.5 yards - 1mm holographic TPU fabric
• Clear cellophane roll

Optional:

• 1/4" thick polycarbonate sheet
• Size 16/14 plastic wire crimp caps
• Hot glue

Tips:

• Trace the tail cover pattern onto a stiff material like mat board or cardboard to make transferring the pattern onto the vinyl easier and faster (no clips or pins needed).

Steps:​

• There are 3 parts to the tutorial: harness, tail covers, tail stuffing and finishing​
• Tail Harness:
  • I chose to use polycarbonate as a base for my tails harness because it is a very strong/durable material. I created a pattern on illustrator with holes sized for size 12 gauge wires and size 8 machine screws/bolts/washers.  I got my polycarbonate sheet custom cut by CNC routing service provided by TX/RX Labs in Houston, but you can typically find CNC services at a makerspace near you.

• There are 2 parts to the harness: the base and the upward extension. After many sets of Ahri tail harnesses that I've used and made, I found that the upward extension is extremely important because it keeps the tails comfortably secured and prevents them from falling backward. With this method, you can sway or jump any way with the tails still in place.
  • The base: I double layered the 1/8" thick pieces for the base of my harness, but you could just use one 1/4" thick layer.
  • The upward extension: the 1/8" thick piece is used here. This thickness has just enough flexibility to make wearing more comfortable but still has enough strength to support the base.

• Using four size 8 machine screws, along with matching washers (on both sides) and nuts, attach the base with the extension and wrap extra heavy duty tape to make the joint extra secured. Make sure that the long ends of the screws are pointing out and away from your body to prevent them from poking you.
  • Additionally, add two machine screw sets to the top of the extension (this will be used to keep the straps more secured.
  • The straps will be attached using minimum 4 layers of heavy duty tape (each layer perpendicular to the last layer).
• After the screws are all secured, add the wires through. Cut each wire about 2 yards long (each wire should have a U shape on the harness).

• Finally, make sure the ends of each wire are covered, using either only hot glue or wire crimp caps. The cut ends of the wires are sharp, which might cut through the tail covers if left uncovered.
  • If you use the wire crimp cap method, make sure to cut the wire crimp cap, remove the metal part inside. They will look like this.

•  Add some hot glue inside the crimp cap and put it over the end of the wire.​

• ​Tail Covers:
  • I used 1mm thick holographic TPU fabric for my tail covers. Don't get any thicker TPU fabric because it will be too stiff for this look.
    • If you cannot find TPU fabric, you could also use holographic vinyl or any shiny fabrics for yours. Just make sure it is not too heavy or stiff that it might affect the weight distribution on the tails.

• First, trace all the pattern on the fabric. Use a ball point pen to draw and cut it out.
  • Make sure you keep the patterns as close to each other as possible, otherwise they won't fit on the fabric.​

• Once everything is traced, cut them out. Each tail requires 4 cut outs.
• Using heavy duty tape, cut it into tiny pieces and tape the seams together. Make sure there is no gap between the seams.​

• After all the tails are taped, scrunch them up (in a fold similar to an accordion-shape as shown to the left below), then unfold them after the folds are set in place.​ This will give them more of a faceted, crystalized look (as shown to the right below).
  • It is best to leave these folded at least overnight for the folds to stay longer

• Tail Stuffing and Finishing:
  • Cut at least 18 1-yard pieces of the clear cellophane roll. You'll need to use about 2 pieces to stuff each tail.
  • First, scrunch up the cellophane. Doing so will give it more dimension when stuffing them inside. Next, LOOSELY wrap the cellophane around each wire, and tape them to place (sorry, I forgot to take pics of this part).

• Then, carefully put the tail covers over the cellophane-wrapped wires. Be careful not to push the cellophane down when you slip the tail covers over them.
• Finally tape the base of the tail covers down onto the harness, and "fluff" the tails up by grabbing onto the cellophane from outside the tail covers and to spread the cellophane out.

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