Am I doing this right?

[claws]

I'm in the process of rooting an Obitsu head, and I have a bunch of loose hair everywhere that came loose from my rooting hank as I was working. Does this happen to everyone? I'm using the rooting tool and the method from Dolly Hair ( http://www.dollyhair.com/reroottool.htm )...is there another method using the rooting tool? This one, while not too bad, is messy and makes my fingers cramp after a little while (the ones holding the hair). Also, how thin is the hair supposed to be? I feel like I should fill in some spaces to make it fuller.

[DollyKim]

I do the needle and thread method to secure the hair.

Can you post pictures of your head?

[paladinari]

Disclaimer: I know nothing about threading hair, but I am a master Googler *giggles*

A while ago, back when I was considering Obitsu and wanted to learn everything about them, I came across Parabox's tutorial for how to thread hair onto their dolls. I looked at the tutorial you are you using, and it looks to be very different (especially in the fact that the version from that dollyhair site doesn't really say anything about securing the hair, and that seems to be the problem you're having with the hair falling out) Anyway, here is the Parabox version of instructions, which calls for tying a small knot at the ends of the hair and threading it "up" through the scalp, rather than pressing it into the emptied root holes. I hope this helps!

http://parabox.jp/eng_new/custom/bob.html

[Iwa_Hoshi]

I use the knot and root method. Tend to take about 15-20 strands per lock and knot it as I watch TV. After I knot a whole bunch, then I root.

Mine is the medium Barbie hank from Dollyhair since my Obitsu ladies all have long hair.

[famedglory]

I've only done the knot method before and have very little hands on experience with rooting in general, but my understanding from tutorials I've seen on the method you're using is that you'll want to glue them in place from the inside?

[SetsunaKou]

You're right---it's normal with that sort of rooting. ^^

There seem to be 3 methods (at least) to rooting:

1)Knot Method - Most difficult and takes the longest to do. It's very secure but it fills up the inside of the head really FAST so that if you make the knots too large, the head will be FULL of them and distort/warp the face. I do not like this method at all. ^^;; It's way too hard for me! It can take a week or more for just one head. ^^;;
2)Thread and needle Method - (This is what I use) It's easy enough, just rather tedious but not as ultra tedious or as time-consuming as the knot method above. You do need button craft thread and a long craft needle to use this method, though. It will give your thumb a workout (blisters?) if you have soft skin/fingers. (Ouch!) But it's very neat and practicable and you can root a head in as little as 2 hours or up to 8 hours, depending on the hairstyle/how much hair.
3)Push Method - (Using the dollyhair tool) This is probably a bit easier than the thread and needle but it's really non-secure and you need fabri-tac (or similar type) glue to 'secure' the hair from the inside after you're done 'rooting.' You can't really brush the hair much if you use this method, as the hair will most likely fall out, even with glue, especially after a while. It's fast---just about an hour or two to finish, but I've tried this method a few times and still really prefer the thread and needle method---it's neater and much more secure (hair is brushable!) and you can add the glue or not and it's still more secure either way.


Since you're using the push method, you'll just need to be really observant and extra careful/gentle when pushing in the hair fibers, that you don't pull or brush them back or anything yet since they'll just come back out, and then once you have the holes all filled in, then glue it all in from the inside. Wait a day, then you can style/gently brush the hair. (I'd just comb or finger comb it----this method isn't super secure, even after glue, with brushing.)


For the thin/thick---it depends on what type of hairstyle you're after.
A ponytail, should have sparse rooting in the middle/sides so that the tail isn't too thick. But normal 'down' hair should have roots everywhere, about 1 - 1.5mm apart.

For the plugs, Dollhair type is nice in that it seems to come with 'automatic' plugs! I just separate them but taking a hank of the hair, then dropping it gently about 5" from the table/surface I'm working.
When it falls, it will 'separate' into tiny plugs! Then I just carefully fully separate the plugs and line them up till I have about twenty and start rooting them. When they run out, I 'drop' another hank, separate the pre-sized plugs, and do those. ^^

Good lucK!!! ^^

[maywong]

I only do the knot method myself.