Artificial Hair types/wig making advice?

[Vetinari]

So for several years now I've been on the lookout for a dreadlock bjd wig - and whilst I do own one, it's not quite what I had in mind, and the etsy sellers who specialize in this sort of thing understandably charge a small fortune.

I'm seriously pondering attempting to make my own, especially since my favourite supplier of tubular crin sells a lot more than just cylindrical ribbons.

http://www.cyberloxshop.co.uk/

As you can see as well as synthetic dreads they've got a very large range of kanekalon and "afro-kinky" synthetic hair in a style that would be perfect for the sections of hair that aren't in the dreads themselves.

Soo the main questions are - how feasable would it be for a beginner to use several types of synthetic hair in a wig, how much hair would be needed for your average 8-9" wig cap? (And finally any suggestions from the guys who've done this before as to the type of wig to go for - is wefting even possible with this stuff?)

(Hell I'm even pondering making a properly cybergoth bjd wig out of spaghetti crin and plastic lacing, but I suspect that's a far simpler prospect than the artificial hair one! Indeed if this initial project actually works I may even end up making my own short-hair wigs since several of my guys are in need of more suitable hairstyles)

[Dark Angel]

I don't know if what I have to say will help you AT ALL... but...

I made Evra's "dread" wig.



It's made out of yarn, I didn't have to do any twisting or anything. I tried that with a different wig and let's just say, it sucked. Anyway, I bought some yarn that already looked "dread-y" and attached each strand to a similarly colored thin ribbon, then when I had enough threads of yarn attached, I sewed it on to my crocheted headcap. I have more pictures and can go into further detail if you're interested. But this might not be what you're wanting.

EDIT: I made a thread about how I made his wig.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11650&p=132065#p132065

[Vetinari]

Ooh thank you! That's really useful - and your wigs both look really well done. The blue/black one almost looks like braids/ corn rows

[Dark Angel]

Thanks! It's always nice to hear that something looks really well done, especially because I was totally winging it! Haha.

The blue and black wig used really interesting yarns, and I wish I could find them. I'm sure I kept it, just don't know where they went. But you're right, it does look like braids/corn rows. Not really Evra's style, but still pretty cool. I just hated rolling the strands, so I probably won't finish that exact wig. But maybe I'll try something similar in the future. Never say never!

As for making your own wig, if you've never made one before, I suggest making a practice wig with cheaper materials. Just so you can get a feel for the size and how to put it together. That way, when you get to the expensive stuff, you will have a little experience. Good luck! I can't wait to see it, it sounds really cool.

[Kirahfaye]

Is this something like you are looking for?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/251395376/bjd-wig-dreadlocks-minifee-bobobie-msd?ref=shop_home_listings

[richila]

To get a realistic loc, I use 4 times the length of fiber that I want the finished loc to be. Fold the fiber in half and twist it as tight as you can and let it unwind and twist itself back. A properly proportioned loc shouldn't be more than 3 fingers wide-if you are going for groomed locs. Bigger than that would break off at shoulder length in real life. My biggest loc is the size of my pinkie finger; I've been wearing them for 17 years.
A good wig cap will make all of the difference. If you can crochet this is the best one I have found.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/29184580@N04/albums/72157619529864003

[Vetinari]

Thanks so much for the tips richila it really does sound like a crocheted wigcap is the way to go with this - which immediately gives a pretty big clue about how to go about it all. Between the helpful images and hints from both you and Dark Angel it's looking increasingly like this is a project that's genuinely doable rather than a pipe dream.

Thanks Kirahfaye unfortunately that's not quite what I meant style-wise - and whilst I've seen pictures of what I want to attempt in the past, I've not had any luck digging them up today!


The last real thing I'm having trouble dredging up from the Internet atm is the secret to the swept back style in dread wigs - so no centre part, a bit like the second doll in that tutorial richila kindly linked to - it looks like a common technique is to just hide the hairline with a headband which I could work with I suppose, but suggestions are welcome! I think its rapidly becoming clear that the first attempt will probably only be good for learning the actual techniques.

[DollyKim]

What about putting the dreads on in concentric rings starting from the crown of the head? There are different hair rooting layouts for different hair styles, they should work for yarn caps too.

[Vetinari]

Thanks guys - just ordered a small amount of roving wool; it came up to less than £6 and estimating from the weights I'm receiving it should be enough for at least two attempts at making dreads and bjd sized wigs out of the results. So even if this attempt goes spectacularly wrong it won't have cost too much! (Looking around for a suitable rooting layout now - and attempting to find some yarn in the large hoarde that's roughly the right colour for the headcap)

[Dark Angel]

I'm excited to see what you make!