RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

Faire Garb => Garbing => Topic started by: Squire Mickey on February 11, 2009, 11:31:24 AM

Title: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 11, 2009, 11:31:24 AM
OK, I know that there was an earlier thread about fake hair, but I am looking for some general advice.

My Captain Mickey Flint persona should really have long hair. I do not, however, have long hair.

SOOOO, I am looking at remedying that deficiency with some kind of fake hair/wig. Problem being that we are in Tampa, and its hot. VERY hot, much of the season.

I have purchased some 10" real hair from Sally's that I planed on sewing into a kerchief. However, I an not sure how this is going to look. I got the idea from a Jack Sparrow wig/bandanna that I saw at Disney.

I am trying to simulate this look...
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/tjapukai/potc3/potc3_cap016-manip.jpg)

Now, clearly, 10" ain't gonna cut it. However, I was wondering if I should use 10" pieces on the "sides" as in over my ears, and longer sections "over the top" for the top of my head?

Anyone have any idea what I am talking about or crazier still have an idea for me?
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Taffy Saltwater on February 11, 2009, 11:58:33 AM
You might want to try a fall or 3/4 wig, which does not cover the whole head.  The bandana would do a fine job of holding it steady.   Frankly, wigs are so frelling hot that you might be happier w/a great big bandana & let the tail fall as hair would. My hair is now almost elbow length & it tends to get "lost" in the bandana. I live in Houston so I know from hot & humid & even when I was chemo bald, I couldn't stand to wear a wig. 
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Capt Gabriela Fullpepper on February 11, 2009, 12:14:38 PM
You may also want to try places like http://store.goldenmartbeautysupply.com/drawstrings.html (http://store.goldenmartbeautysupply.com/drawstrings.html) or http://www.internationalwig.com/category_s/63.htm (http://www.internationalwig.com/category_s/63.htm)

The drawstring falls are nice but you will need enough hair to make a small pony tail to attach it to. Combs may also work. But almost anytyhing you use next to a wig will require you to be able to make a ponytail on the top back portion of your head. While a wig is hot and not comfortable, I have found the hair falls to be opposite of that and lay off the head and neck thus making it cooler.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 11, 2009, 01:25:34 PM
Quote from: Lady de Laney on February 11, 2009, 12:14:38 PM
You may also want to try places like http://store.goldenmartbeautysupply.com/drawstrings.html (http://store.goldenmartbeautysupply.com/drawstrings.html) or http://www.internationalwig.com/category_s/63.htm (http://www.internationalwig.com/category_s/63.htm)

The drawstring falls are nice but you will need enough hair to make a small pony tail to attach it to. Combs may also work. But almost anytyhing you use next to a wig will require you to be able to make a ponytail on the top back portion of your head. While a wig is hot and not comfortable, I have found the hair falls to be opposite of that and lay off the head and neck thus making it cooler.

Hope this helps.

Well, my thought was to sew it into the bandanna so that when I tied it on it draped over the top of my head and out the back. Could I do that with a fall or drawstring?
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Taffy Saltwater on February 11, 2009, 03:57:53 PM
Hie thyself to a hair or beauty supply shop to see what they have in stock.  I think there are some weave hair products that come on a strip.  You could cut those to length & stitch or glue them on, although you may have to use a hair glue to keep them on the strip.  While you're there, get a cheapo styrofoam head to tie your bandana to so you can eyeball the hair placement.

Also, check eBay for pirate bandanas.  I've seen lots of the Jack Sparrow types & you could snip off the bits you don't like.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: gypsylakat on February 11, 2009, 04:16:34 PM
What about making an elastic band to go around your head and attaching a fake hair clip type deal to that? and then put the bandanna over, that way you could conceivably use it with a hat as well
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: DonaCatalina on February 11, 2009, 04:19:36 PM
http://www.hisandher.com/hair_extensions/shop/hair_pieces/ponytails/silky_straight_ponytail_human_hair/main_004/sub_005/3/details.html

Some type of ponty tail extension could be sewn into a bandana.
As long as the ties stayed intact, it should not come apart. Browse this website and then take Taffy's advise and check out a wig shop. Once you hold a piece in hand, you'll have a better idea if it will work or not.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: gem on February 11, 2009, 05:26:20 PM
Dona C, thanks for that link!  I've looked there before, but today that precise ponytail made bells go off for me .  I started one of the other fake hair threads, because I need to add length to my longish hair to fill out a braid casing--and this might do the trick!  Fortunately, they have a synthetic curly ponytail for only $14. :)
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 12, 2009, 11:09:31 AM
Ladies. Ye be a treasure.

I am off to Sally's (never thought to be sayin that, sun and sea, No!).  I will post after I have my reconnoiter.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: renniegirl85 on February 13, 2009, 02:43:18 PM
Try to find an actual beauty supply store other than Sally's. You'll have better luck and the prices will be a LOT cheaper..:)
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 13, 2009, 02:47:42 PM
Well, I got 10" weave hair and 18" ponytail hair. I am going to try sewing it into the head scarf tonight, using the 10: on the sides and the 18 inch to lay over the top of my head and run down the back.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Taffy Saltwater on February 13, 2009, 05:37:30 PM
If you have enough hair, you might want to try two layers, a shorter one on the outside & longer on the inside.  This would give you a more natural look.  Pictures, please!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 13, 2009, 10:38:41 PM
i was thinking the same thing, My challeng is that the longer hair had to be synthetic as a product of cost. I could not justify $50 for an experiment. So I settled witth the 2.99 yaki fake hair for the over the top section. This has not been sew  into a single layer like the other. I will need ot come up with a way to parse it out and attacht it to the headband..  I should have picts for you all tomorrow.

I am confident that I will pull this off!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Taffy Saltwater on February 14, 2009, 07:41:08 AM
Could the loose hair be glued into a double fold bias tape & then sew the tape to the bandana? 
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: DonaCatalina on February 14, 2009, 09:48:32 AM
Quote from: Taffy Saltwater on February 14, 2009, 07:41:08 AM
Could the loose hair be glued into a double fold bias tape & then sew the tape to the bandana? 

I agree with Taffy that gluing this to bias tape might work. Hot glue would probably be
best since it would bond with the fabric.
And we'd like to see pics of the finished products.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: William Blackheath on February 14, 2009, 10:43:30 AM
Squire Mickey, I had the exact same idea!  I had grown my hair out, and by last summer it was to my shoulders and looked great.  But I had to cut it for job-hunting.  I kept what was cut, tied in a rubber band, for color and texture reference (my hair is extremely wavy).  I didn't know about weaves, clip-ons or falls, so I thought of cutting down a wig (I didn't want the extra bulk and heat retention on top of my head), and attaching it with an elastic band like Gypsylekat suggested.  But I wasn't sure if it was practical, so thank you for blazing the trail here!  I checked the web sites Lady De Laney and Dona Catalina posted, and I like the idea of the Magic Weave Clips.  Since they're designed to be layered, I could add to them until I reached the desired effect.  Also, since they're already sewn into a strip at the top, it seems that construction will go a lot faster.  Does anyone see any possible problems with this method?

Again, Mickey, many thanks.  This has been invaluable!  I'd like to see pictures also.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: gypsylakat on February 14, 2009, 11:55:22 AM
wait a minute, synthetic hair with hot glue?
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 14, 2009, 12:16:39 PM
Quote from: DonaCatalina on February 14, 2009, 09:48:32 AM
Quote from: Taffy Saltwater on February 14, 2009, 07:41:08 AM
Could the loose hair be glued into a double fold bias tape & then sew the tape to the bandana? 

I agree with Taffy that gluing this to bias tape might work. Hot glue would probably be
best since it would bond with the fabric.
And we'd like to see pics of the finished products.

What do you ladies think about stich witchery? I am thinking that I will use the biased tape to secure the loose yaki hair and then use the sitch witchery to attach it to the headband. I am going to use a thin piece of fabric that I can wear inside of the various headbands/bandannas that I have so that I am not limited to just the one look,
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on February 14, 2009, 01:05:12 PM


Having had worked with wigs for many years when at the Costume  Shop, I DO NOT RECCOMMEND using any kind of heat on Acrylic based wigs.

If the wig is animal or human, then some heat is appropriate.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 14, 2009, 01:38:41 PM
Quote from: William Blackheath on February 14, 2009, 10:43:30 AM
Squire Mickey, I had the exact same idea!  I had grown my hair out, and by last summer it was to my shoulders and looked great.  But I had to cut it for job-hunting.  I kept what was cut, tied in a rubber band, for color and texture reference (my hair is extremely wavy).  I didn't know about weaves, clip-ons or falls, so I thought of cutting down a wig (I didn't want the extra bulk and heat retention on top of my head), and attaching it with an elastic band like Gypsylekat suggested.  But I wasn't sure if it was practical, so thank you for blazing the trail here!  I checked the web sites Lady De Laney and Dona Catalina posted, and I like the idea of the Magic Weave Clips.  Since they're designed to be layered, I could add to them until I reached the desired effect.  Also, since they're already sewn into a strip at the top, it seems that construction will go a lot faster.  Does anyone see any possible problems with this method?

Again, Mickey, many thanks.  This has been invaluable!  I'd like to see pictures also.

I looked at the clip in's as well at the beaty shop. I even had the girl take the bannaa clip out and looked at the mesh that the fake hair was sewn into.  I don't know, it just looked kind of "fake". Now, I know that it IS fake and all but, it also looked HOT. (and not in a good way). It did have layers and curls which I DID like, but it was also a much more expensive solution (around $35 for a decent one).

And your welcome. Here is a picture with a wig I WAS wearing. It was my kids halloween witch wig that I co opted and doctured up, but it give you the idea. The thought of wearing that during the heat of the fair season is not attractive! Also, it was too strawlike and too long...

(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SS8npSPjbfI/AAAAAAAAB9M/dlttheZ3EOE/s800/n1527048360_88360_4575.jpg)
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 14, 2009, 02:00:15 PM
Here is what I have so far

This will be the strip to wear under the bandana. Its mad of black linen.

(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SZcgS1i3mwI/AAAAAAAACM8/qt_XSiYE6kc/s800/PICT0025.JPG)

Here is the length of real hair for a weave

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SZcgVFERvxI/AAAAAAAACNM/CPxnOBAst-E/s800/PICT0027.JPG)

I then cut it down and used fray check on the ends.

(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SZcgXaVbBKI/AAAAAAAACNg/A-XY7tP3Sig/s800/PICT0029.JPG)

These are the longer synthetic hair sections. I am going to attache the weave strips with hot glue and then sew a stich or two in  them to secure them.
I Have no idea what to do with synthetic. I am going to try to make small little loops with yarn and tie them off and sew that into bias tape so that I can attach the tape to the black fabric.
I have to say that sounds like I am adding a bunch of steps that I may not have to...

(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SZcgY7PZHNI/AAAAAAAACNw/ONYmjQy8gbk/s800/PICT0031.JPG)
[/size]
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 14, 2009, 02:32:08 PM
Ok, here is the first wave of "side hair" being applied

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SZcoddJ0TXI/AAAAAAAACOQ/-vKUG_RPCNo/s800/PICT0034.JPG)

Here it is with 3 "layers" applied to the sides and 2 to the top.

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SZcoezU40cI/AAAAAAAACOY/o1paW8mbuEo/s800/PICT0035.JPG)

Next I need to attach the long hair to run all the way down the back of my head and neck. Problem is that I do not have a sewing machine. Any ideas out there how to do this with out one? I am kicking around the idea of duct tape... ;) :P
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 14, 2009, 02:42:57 PM
Ok, here is what it looks like with out the long pieces and before I get my wife to curl it for me...

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SZcsY6T4k2I/AAAAAAAACPA/e02sGAs-bts/s800/PICT0036.JPG)

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SZcsabggncI/AAAAAAAACPI/rgYEohLAkIo/s800/PICT0038.JPG)
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Taffy Saltwater on February 14, 2009, 05:35:40 PM
Nice work!  I don't think you can curl artificial hair as it could melt, get terminally frizzy, or otherwise ruin the hair.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 14, 2009, 06:25:33 PM
Quote from: Taffy Saltwater on February 14, 2009, 05:35:40 PM
Nice work!  I don't think you can curl artificial hair as it could melt, get terminally frizzy, or otherwise ruin the hair.

Actually what you see in these images is the real hair. I have not yet added the artificial stuff yet!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Sitara on February 16, 2009, 08:10:12 AM
You can use heat on fake hair just don't use extremely hot things on it as it will melt.  Mild heat does make it shrink though so keep that in mind.  Here are some links you may find helpful.

Making wefts from loose hair
http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Tutorials-Making-Wefts/ (http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Tutorials-Making-Wefts/)

Curling fake hair
http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Tutorials-DIY-Bits-and-Pieces-Curling-Synthetic-Fiber/ (http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Tutorials-DIY-Bits-and-Pieces-Curling-Synthetic-Fiber/)

Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on February 16, 2009, 08:34:48 AM
Quote from: Sitara on February 16, 2009, 08:10:12 AM
You can use heat on fake hair just don't use extremely hot things on it as it will melt.  Mild heat does make it shrink though so keep that in mind.  Here are some links you may find helpful.

Making wefts from loose hair
http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Tutorials-Making-Wefts/ (http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Tutorials-Making-Wefts/)

Curling fake hair
http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Tutorials-DIY-Bits-and-Pieces-Curling-Synthetic-Fiber/ (http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Tutorials-DIY-Bits-and-Pieces-Curling-Synthetic-Fiber/)

Hope this helps!

That is perfect. Thank you very much. I was thinking along those lines for making wefts (didn't know that is what they were called!)

The look that the first one came out is great for a more rough and ready pirate. I am  happy enough with the way that came out, but I have enough left over that I think that I want to try using a stretchy cotton headband, and attach the real hair to the back of the headband and the long synthetic hair to the front and run it over the top of my head. the sides are not really as necessary to match the original look I was going for in the 1st post.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on March 04, 2009, 10:52:33 AM
Well, here is the finished product. Thanks for everyone's help!

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/Dauburnville/100_9084-1.jpg) (http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/Dauburnville/100_9067-1.jpg)(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/Dauburnville/100_9060-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Taffy Saltwater on March 04, 2009, 11:05:44 AM
Well, butter my butt & call me a biscuit!  That looks wonderful - good work & you rock long hair!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: LadyElizabeth on March 04, 2009, 12:16:29 PM
That looks really great!  So happy to see it worked out for you!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: DonaCatalina on March 04, 2009, 01:21:25 PM
It turn out great and looks so real!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Trillium on March 04, 2009, 02:49:49 PM
WOW!!  Great job!  I wouldn't have guessed it was fake!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: William Blackheath on March 06, 2009, 12:48:53 PM
Excellent job!  It looks like the hair color matches the beard perfectly.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on March 06, 2009, 01:35:30 PM
Thank you all for the compliments! I would not have been able to do it with out all of your sage advice.

I am going to be making a final one this evening for fair tomorrow. I like the stretchy headband method. I am doing away totally with the fake hair and staying with the back only...
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: VIII on March 10, 2009, 01:09:53 PM
I may have to steal your idea (in good Pirate fashion) and remake my Dead Pirate Marooney wig.  It sure sounds like it's a far sight more comfy than a full-head fake hair wig.
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on March 10, 2009, 02:50:33 PM
Oh is it ever! the new one with just the layers in the back is the way to go.

The band acts a sweat band as well. Which is handy.

The other playtrons seem to like it as well...


(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0JpiSCSMiK0/SbPxH8YeLLI/AAAAAAAACYQ/ts8icJZxHfs/s800/DSC02282.JPG)
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: LadyElizabeth on March 10, 2009, 02:53:51 PM
Hehe.. "Seem to like it"... hilarious!  Those chicks are HOT, congrats!
Title: Re: Help with wig/fake hair
Post by: Squire Mickey on March 16, 2009, 10:05:54 AM
Quote from: LadyElizabeth on March 10, 2009, 02:53:51 PM
Hehe.. "Seem to like it"... hilarious!  Those chicks are HOT, congrats!

Twins who just won best duet in the belly dance competition.  :P

They are in their "airship pyrate" steampunk attire.