Hand-making dolls is an age-old craft that has been performed for many decades. In fact, the time-honored craft is still popular today. Most every doll needs a head of hair, oftentimes curly hair, and in the past, hair was mostly made from natural materials. Today, however, you can purchase curly doll hair at any craft shop, whether locally or via the Internet.
If you want to make your own curly doll hair, you can make it like it was made in the past by using natural materials such as real human hair, wool, mohair, horse hair, et cetera. Some hair salons will give you long braids or hunks of hair if you ask them. Obviously, short clips of hair would be too hard to work with, so make sure the braid or hunk you get is at least five or six inches long. And, if you own a horse, or know someone who has a horse farm, you could clip some hair from a horse tail or mane to make coarser, but curly doll hair.
The first step in making curly doll hair is to carefully comb the hunk of hair out so that it is smooth and free of tangles. Then, hold it tightly in one hand, while you wash it carefully with the other. Use a gentle, suitable cleanser such as baby shampoo. Lather the hair once, then rinse thoroughly; repeat, if necessary. Make sure that you remove all of the oil, dirt, debris, et cetera, from the hair. Then, pat the hunk of hair dry with a soft, clean towel.
The second step in this project is to insert the human or horse hair onto the doll’s head (using whatever fashion you choose). Then, plug in and use a curling iron that has the smallest – barrel you can find on it. Make curls in the hair the way that you want them to look. They can be long, soft curls, or short, tight ones. Be careful not to burn the hunk of hair or touch the hot barrel of the curling iron to the doll’s “skin”.
Finally, spray the curly doll’s hair with a good-quality hair spray to hold them in place. You might need to respray the curls two or three times to get the hold you desire, depending on the product you use. Allow the hair spray to dry thoroughly before you proceed on. If you are going to store the doll, you should carefully place a hair net on its head to help protect its hair and to help keep the shape of the curls.
You can also use yarn to make curly hair for a doll. In order to do this, the first step is to wrap the yarn you want to use around a round metal shish kabob skewer, a metal spoon, or a fork. If you don’t have a metal utensil handy, you can fashion a crude one out of balled-up aluminum foil. Again, to make small curls, you will need to use a thin metal object. To make larger, softer curls, you will need a large metal object.
The second step is to spray the yarn with a mixture of two parts of hair spray and one part of tap water. Then, place the wrapped yarn on a small cookie sheet in an oven at two hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the yarn for ten minutes, and then remove the cookie sheet.
The third step is to carefully slide the yarn off of the metal utensil. Then, insert the yarn hair onto the doll’s head by using a hot glue gun. Use a pair of sharp scissors to trim the curly doll hair, and arrange it however you choose.
The third step
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common materials used for making doll hair?
Synthetic yarns, such as nylon or acrylic, are often used for doll hair because they are easy to work with and come in a wide variety of colors. Mohair and alpaca are also commonly used for high-end dolls.
How do I attach doll hair to the head?
The most common method is to glue the hair to the head using fabric glue or a hot glue gun. You can also sew the hair onto the head using a needle and thread.
How do I care for my doll’s hair?
Depending on the type of hair, you can use a soft-bristled brush to style and detangle the hair. Avoid using any heat-styling tools, such as curling irons or hair dryers, as they can damage the synthetic fibers.
How do I fix tangled or matted hair on my doll?
Use a soft-bristled brush to gently detangle the hair, starting at the ends and working your way up. You can also use a small amount of hair conditioner to help loosen any tangles.
Can I dye my doll’s hair?
Yes, you can dye synthetic doll hair using fabric dye. However, it’s important to test the dye on a small, inconspicuous section of hair first to ensure that you like the color and that the dye won’t damage the hair.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several methods for making curly doll hair, each with its own set of materials and techniques. These methods include curling with heat, boiling water, pipe cleaners, roving yarn, and a damp cloth with a hairdryer. It’s important to experiment with different methods and materials to find the look that you like best. Additionally, it’s also important to take care of doll hair by using a soft-bristled brush to style and detangle the hair and avoid using heat-styling tools. In case of tangled or matted hair, use a hair conditioner to help loosen any tangles and dyeing is also possible but it’s important to test on inconspicuous section of hair first to ensure the hair won’t be damaged.
