1 What is Doll Hair made of? Have you ever looked at a doll and wondered what its hair was made out of? Or wondered how your doll could have hair that is shinier, longer, softer, or even more earth friendly? We ll discuss all this and more here. Welcome to your first lesson in the complete guide to Doll Wigging & Hair. This is the first of eleven lessons on how to wig dolls of all types including restoration and doll alteration projects. Before you can wig a doll, you must know what kind of fiber you d like to use, so this lesson is where we will build up your base of fiber knowledge. Whether you make art dolls, restore, alter or collect dolls, this lesson will teach you everything you need to know about doll hair for any doll in any scale. Throughout this lesson, we will talk about the different fibers that make up doll hair of all kinds. Knowing about each fiber will help you make purchasing and project decisions for your doll based on the individual properties of the fibers as well as any ethical implications usage of the fibers may have. I will share with you fiber industry terms such as staple length and micron as well as why it is important to know these. I have scoured through vast resources to bring you the best information for your doll projects :]. See the end of this lesson for a complete guide to resources including recommended books as well as companies who sell the fibers discussed here.
2 Let s get started with some basic vocabulary. Note: I am going to be honest. I hated vocabulary in school. Hate is a strong word, but there it is. For this reason, I appreciate vocabulary lists that are short and useful. So for you, I have only defined terms that are necessary for you to make an educated decision when selecting fibers for your doll project. If you would like to read more about some of the fibers (I admit, some of the information is quite fascinating, vocabulary and all), see the recommended reading section at the end of this lesson. First off, what is this fiber word I keep throwing around? In our case, A fiber is a single thread of material that is combined to create hair. There are two main types of fibers used in doll making, Natural and Synthetic. Natural fibers include Animals and Plants. There is minimal chemical processing involved with natural fibers. The animal fibers we ll discuss include Alpaca, Mohair (Goat), Wool (Sheep), Silk and Human Hair. Plant fibers include Bamboo, Flax (linen) and Soy Silk (Milk Protein). Synthetic fibers include Cellulose-based and Polymers. Cellulose-based fibers are plant based, usually wood, but the processes used to create them are too extensive to qualify them as strictly natural fibers. Popular cellulose fibers include rayon (viscose) and Lyocel (tencel). Polymer fibers are petroleum/plastic based these are the most processed of all fibers, but the extensive processes allow for more control over fiber length, appearance and
3 consistency. We ll take a look at three common polymer fibers: Saran, Nylon and Acrylic. Natural VS Synthetic Fibers There is much controversy over whether you should work with natural or synthetic fibers. Each type has its pros and cons when it comes to doll hair. Natural Fibers Pros Cons There is enormous variety of texture in natural fibers from the super soft silk and angora mohair to the rougher flax and hemp fibers. Natural fibers come in many, many colors from white to red, to black, blonde, brown, gray most any doll hair color can be found. The staple length of natural fibers is limited to the growth properties of the fiber. Some people have allergies to the lanolin in some animal fibers and some are sensitive to itchy fibers. (There are hypoallergenic alternatives such as alpaca). Animal locks are the only naturally curly/wavy fibers available for doll wigging all other fibers must be set into curls. Most natural fibers dye beautifully with acid dyes. (We will play with dyes in lesson 3). Some natural fibers can be felted, which can create amazing doll hair shapes. Natural fibers come from renewable resources and will always be available as long as the plant or animal species can thrive. Natural fibers are 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Natural animal fibers can vary widely even within the same breeds, so consistent color and curl can be difficult to achieve unless you buy the full quantity needed at once. Many natural fibers cannot be brushed once they are in place on the doll. Animal fibers are more susceptible to damage from moths and chemicals (not acids though). A select few animal fibers (Silk & Tibetan Lambskins) require the animal s death prior to fiber harvest. These fibers often come from farms and small communities you can help support small businesses by choosing natural fibers.
4 Synthetic Fibers Pros Cons Synthetic fibers are manmade and/or man manipulated, which means we have full control over the quality of the fiber textures and thickness are more consistent than natural fibers. You can find many vibrant colors and super high gloss shine in synthetic fibers. They can look quite stunning. The staple length of synthetic fibers, especially the polymer fibers, can be very long this is how Barbie can have long, flowing hair of one length. Most synthetic fibers can be brushed and styled repeatedly this is why children s play dolls often have synthetic hair. You cannot dye polymer fibers typically you must purchase them in the color you desire. Some synthetic fibers will melt or fuse if you apply heat to them you must pay attention to whether heat styling is recommended. You are dependent on manufacturing processes and companies for synthetic fibers. Synthetic fiber production requires high energy and water input, which uses resources and releases pollutants into the air. Synthetic fibers are not sustainable and will not connect you to the earth likewise, they are typically not recyclable or biodegradable. So, which are better, natural or synthetic fibers? Well, when it comes to wigging dolls, there is no right or wrong answer to this question it s like comparing lettuce to ice cream. Both can be pretty good. So, instead we will take a look at the individual properties of the most common doll hair fibers and you can make an educated decision for your next doll project. But first, let s finish that vocabulary, because I ve already said staple length three times, but you might not know what that is. :] Important Doll Hair Fiber Terms Just to recap, here is what we have learned so far: Fiber Natural Fiber Animal Fiber
5 Plant or Vegetable Fiber Synthetic Fiber Cellulose-Based Fiber Polymer Fiber And here are more important doll hair terms these mostly apply to natural fibers, which we ll be talking about first: Micron Count Staple or Staple Length Locks Carded Crimp Luster Lanolin Micron Count This is the system commonly used to measure how heavy the fiber is. If you buy wool in the yarn shop, usually it will have a micron count on the label. Micron counts are scientifically devised by measuring the diameter of several individual fibers and determining the average. The larger the micron count, the courser the fiber. So, a very fine tussah silk is around 21 microns whereas racka, a heavier type of wool from a Hungarian sheep breed, has a micron count between 30 and 40. Generally, the smaller and younger the doll you are wigging, the lower the desired micron count. A good range for a dollhouse miniature doll would be 14-25 microns. Larger dolls, older dolls and character dolls can get away with a variety of micron counts. For most large dolls, I would recommend anywhere from fine to about mid-coarse 36 microns. Any higher micron count will work fine for a character doll, or a primitive style doll.
6 A quick guideline to how coarse the fiber will be: Weight or Coarseness Micron Count Examples Fine 10-21 Silk, Fine Merino, Kid Mohair, Viscose Medium 22-31 Romney, Mohair, Alpaca Coarse 32-37 Lincoln, Teeswater, Wensleydale Very Coarse 38+ Human Hair, Guard Hair Note: With natural animal fibers, micron counts may vary even within the same breed. For this reason, many breeds have a wide range of micron counts, such as the Lincoln breed of sheep with a micron range of 33.5-41. Micron counts are not the be and end all of fiber texture. A coarse weight does not necessarily mean the fiber is rough to the touch human hair averages at a whopping 100 microns per strand! It is highly recommended that you feel the fibers in person before making a decision about your doll s hair. Often times, you can order small samples of fibers from a supplier. For more information on Micron counts and other fiber measurement systems, I highly recommend The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook (See the recommended reading section at the end of the lesson). Staple or Staple Length All natural fibers have a maximum length of growth prior to harvesting the fibers. This is called the staple. The staple is a very important measurement in doll making, as with loose fibers, the hair can only be as long as the staple length unless fibers are spun or fastened together. If you are buying a fiber and the staple length isn t given, it is always a good idea to ask the seller. Tip: To find the staple length of a fiber you already have, hold one end of a fiber bundle section firmly with one hand and then grab the remaining body of fiber with the other hand so that both hands are about 3-4 inches apart pull straight outward if the end doesn t separate, move your hands further apart an inch or two and try again, increasing the distance until the fibers separate easily. The point of separation on either end is your staple length.
7 Locks These are the natural divisions in an animal s fur. For example, a single curl of mohair made up of several individual fibers is called a lock. Locks provide very convincing mini curls for dolls and are thus very popular in doll wigging. If you purchase animal fibers in the forms of locks, they should be clean and separated. To separate a lock, pinch the group of fibers down toward the base and pull the two sections straight apart. Carded This term describes fibers that have been brushed out of their natural locks or curls the resulting fibers are straighter, smoother and kind of puffed up with more air between each strand for a more uniform look. Spinners use carded fiber as it is thin and even. Even though this fiber is straightened, you can still use it to create doll hair styles including wool felted styles. Carded fiber is often referred to as Roving. Crimp The natural curls or kinks in a fiber are referred to as the crimp. Some animal breeds have fur that grows with a very tight kinky crimp. Others have a long, wavy crimp. Depending on the scale and ethnicity of your doll, crimp may be a very important factor.
8 i From left to right: high gloss silk, medium gloss alpaca and matte bamboo fibers. Luster How shiny a fiber is, or how much light it reflects. Luster ranges from very shiny, to matte in appearance. A little shine tends to look the most realistic on a doll. High shine is perfect for fantasy and fashion dolls. A matte luster looks right at home on Waldorf and primitive style dolls. Lanolin This is the oily substance that gives unwashed animal fibers a greasy feel. Lanolin is also the cause of some fiber allergies. Alpaca is a popular fiber for those with allergies because it does not have lanolin. Most purchased fibers suitable for doll hair will have most or all of the lanolin already washed out. Sometimes you will see unwashed mohair locks for sale this means the lanolin is still on the fibers often along with other bits of debris, like grass. Animal Fibers Now that you are a fiber pro, let s talk about the different kinds of animal fibers. Most animals that provide us with fibers are sheared once or twice a year when an animal is young, its fiber will be softer than when it grows older.
9 Much like a close haircut, the shearing process does not harm the animal many live a few decades and are treated with utmost care. Two popular doll hair fibers require that the animal be dead to harvest them we ll talk a bit more about these in a bit. In the tables and descriptions that follow, you will find staple lengths, micron counts, characteristics and addition information for each animal breed. Much of the numerical data shared here was recorded from The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook, by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius. The Sheep Two sheep with great wool for doll wigging are the English Longwool and the Merino families. The English Longwool is made up of several breeds. As the name implies, the wool produced by these animals has nice long staple lengths. In the Longwool family, we are going to talk about the Lincoln Longwool, Romney, Teeswater and Wensleydale fibers. Lincoln Longwool Fiber Lincolns are the largest sheep we know of. They have been bred to provide heavier wool not unlike mohair in the way it handles. Staple Length Average 7-10 (18-25.5cm) Micron Count 33.5 minimum
10 Characteristics Natural Coloring Dyeing Heavy spiral locks great for direct use in doll wigs White, grays and black are most common Has a nice shine that takes colors well Romney Romney wool is very versatile and usually has a nice wavy kink from the top of the lock to the bottom. Staple Length 4-8 (10-20.5cm) Micron Count 29-36 microns Characteristics Distinctly separate locks with a strong, uniform crimp Natural Coloring White, black, gray, silver & brown Dyeing Dyes well, but may require over dyeing to even tone
11 Teeswater Staple Length Micron Count Characteristics Natural Coloring Dyeing 6 (15cm) Longer for first clip 30-36 microns Long, wavy locks with shiny luster and a smooth feel Creamy white Light color and shine make for wonderful dye results Wensleydale Staple Length Micron Count Characteristics Natural Coloring Dyeing 7-12 (18-35.5cm) 30-36 microns Very long, curly locks smooth and shiny White, gray & black Dyes well
12 The Merino family is the most commonly recognized sheep breed as Merino wool is quite popular. There are several different strains of Merino sheep. Merino is often combined with silk to increase the staple length of the roving. Merino Staple Length Micron Count Characteristics Natural Coloring Dyeing 2-5 (5-12.5cm) 11.5-25 microns Dense, fine elastic wool with consistent crimp Mostly white with a few color varieties Dyes beautifully Tibetan Lambskins Lambskins from the Tibetan sheep breed are quite popular in doll making as the fiber is known for being super soft, easy to dye and naturally crimped into fine spirals perfect for the smallest scale dolls. Unlike the other natural animal fibers used in doll
13 making, the Tibetan lambskins are sold as a full skin making the hair rooted and easy to comb out, stitch into a wig with cap, or dye without losing the natural lock shapes and order. The Tibetan breed is harvested for food at a young age and the skin along with super soft fiber is a byproduct which is then sold. Because usage of this fiber requires that the animal be deceased, those working with the fiber should be aware that usage of the skins may cause discomfort to and aversion by collectors who are vegetarians and/or animal rights activists. Generally, Tibetan lambskins are white, but you can purchase them predyed in many shades. Angora Mohair Goats With Angora mohair goats, it is widely accepted that the goat breed is referred to as Angora and the fiber produced by said goat is called Mohair. Kid Mohair, the fibers produced with the animal s first shearing, is the finest of the fibers. The Angora goat is the only goat who produces such fine, curly locks so popular to doll makers.
14 ii Just one more reason why mohair is the hair of choice for many wig makers--look at how versatile the curls are both in these locks and the two doll wigs. Mohair Fibers Staple Length Micron Count Characteristics Natural Coloring Dyeing 4-6 (10-15cm) 20-24 microns for kid, 39 microns for adults Distinct luscious waves with curly tips Brilliant white with rare red and black shades as well Arguably dyes the best out of all natural fibers
15 iii Two locks from different colors of angora goats. The fibers on the left are from a younger, second year animal and the large, dark lock on the right is from a more mature animal. Note: Cashmere is another popular goat fiber you have probably heard of. The softness of cashmere is quite famous in the clothing industry. At 1-2, the staple length of cashmere is quite short, so it isn t the best fiber for wigging dolls. Alpacas Alpacas are a member of the camel family, called Camelids. This is my personal favorite natural animal fiber to work with the Alpaca fiber comes in a huge range of natural colors and is especially wonderful when blended with silk. Plus alpacas are so darn cute and cuddly looking! Alpacas do not produce lanolin on their fur, so they are hypoallergenic. The individual fibers are not barbed
16 like many wools, which means the fiber doesn t really felt well, but it also means it is not as itchy when worn against the skin. Unlike other livestock, Alpacas do not carry many parasites such as fleas. Alpacas have two breeds, the Huacaya (pronounced wah-kay-ya) and the Suri. :] Huacaya Staple Length Up to 11 (28cm) per year Micron Count 15-35 microns, average 24-26 Characteristics Long, shiny locks with varying crimp Natural Coloring White, many shades of brown, black, gray & spotted Dyeing The lighter fibers will dye best, but because Alpacas come in so many colors, natural solutions are readily available for doll hair. Mohair Fibers Staple Length 2-6 (5-15cm) Micron Count 15-35 microns, average 24-26 Characteristics Straighter, shiny locks with no crimp Natural Coloring White, many shades of brown, black, gray & spotted most Suri alpacas in North America are white or light brown. Dyeing The lighter fibers will dye best, but because Alpacas come in so many colors, natural solutions are readily available for doll hair. Tip: When in doubt, mohair and alpaca are two very reliable types of doll hair both have a very fine texture, yet they are not slippery, so they are easier to work with than many finer fibers. Mohair is the most commonly used natural fiber in doll wigging. I like both types.
17 Silk Silk is made from the cocoons of an order of insects called Lepidoptra. Generally, the creatures that make the silk we use are referred to as silkworms. Silkworms are actually a special iv Left: Tussah Silk; Right Mulberry Silk type of caterpillar that spins a silken cocoon and becomes a beautiful white moth when allowed to hatch. I say allowed to hatch, because generally the larva is killed inside the cocoon before the silk can be harvested. Silk is one, long continuous fiber wrapped around and around the staple length for silk is yards or miles. In order to keep the silk strands from breaking and diminishing the production value, the cocoon must be unwrapped before the insect has a chance to hatch and break the strands. Silk is harvested when the spun cocoons are boiled and softened in hot water and unwound several at a time onto giant spools. In some cultures the deceased larva is then eaten so no part goes to waste. There is a great deal of controversy over silk and the exploitation of the insects that produce it. To illustrate the large quantity of cocoons needed for silk production, 10,000 silkworms are killed to make a single silk sari.
18 Some argue that due to dietary needs this creature would not survive in the wild and that we keep the species alive by continuing to harvest silk. But it really comes down to a matter of personal choice. Some of the natural plant fibers and synthetic cellulose fibers described in the following sections make excellent silk substitutes when it comes to wigging dolls! There are two types of silk fibers used in doll wigging. These include the domesticated Bombyx mori, or mulberry silkworms, and the wild tussah silk variety. Mulberry silkworms only eat mulberry leaves lots and lots of them. The resulting silk is a smooth, brilliant white. Tussah silk worms eat a great variety of leaves, which makes them easier to raise, but also causes variations in the silk appearance. Tussah silk is usually a bit wavy and ranges in color from warm tan to dark brown. Human Hair Many doll makers and antique restoration experts swear by the use of human hair for dolls. The scale of human hair is much larger than the finer fibers popular in most doll wigging. Human hair varies from 50 to 120 microns with the average being around 100. While softness, flexibility and curl differ among human hair types and ethnicities, the lowest weight, 50 microns, is still in the coarse range of the microns scale. For this reason, human hair does not work for wigging very small dolls especially in terms of styling. You can curl human hair, but you can t make teeny tiny scale curls and the ends would look very blunt at small scales. I would say the smallest possible size doll for human hair application would be about the size of a 11 Bleuette with 7 wig. We know from personal experience that human hair styles well and that healthy hair is highly elastic. Our familiarity with human hair makes it an easy choice when it comes to doll wigging. Just make sure that the scale is right for your doll and that you have enough hair for the project.
19 Historically, human hair was often used in childrens dolls especially those dolls created to represent a particular child. The oldest known manufactured dolls with human hair were created in the 1600 s. (See? even way back when we were obsessed with dolls that represent us as the American Girl and Ball Jointed Dolls of today widely do :].) Now human hair is primarily used in doll restoration and for antique style dolls, but there are many experimental applications for human hair as well. I read recently that some collectors reroot their Blythe dolls with human hair. With a 10-11 wig size, Blythe has such a large head, she would be a perfect candidate for human hair fibers. We ll play more with human hair fibers in lesson seven, where I go into detail about doll hair restoration. Natural Plant Fibers Plant fibers, also called vegetable fibers, are generally stronger than animal fibers, especially when you compare the two when wet. Soy Silk, or Milk Protein Soy silk, also called milk protein fiber, is a rather new fiber derived from soybean residue after tofu manufacturing. The fiber looks and feels very much like tussah silk, so it is a good animal
20 friendly replacement for natural silk. The soy silk also dyes beautifully. Staple length may vary, but the soy silk I have has a staple length of 5-6 (14-16cm). Flax Flax is stronger than silk, which is considered to be a pretty strong fiber. Flax comes from a plant that is processed from the top of the stem to the bottom of the roots to make for a very long staple length, 20-30 inches is a good average estimate. Flax is a rather stiff, sort of straw like fiber, but when it is worked, it becomes a softer, finer yarn and the flax name changes to linen. This is why you will often see the terms flax and linen used for the same things. Due to its wiry sort of texture, flax alone would not work well for wigging dolls of most types. I would wig a primitive doll with flax. Also, because of the long staple length, flax can be used to help stabilize fibers with shorter staple lengths. If you want to try flax, I recommend a flax blend.
21 Bamboo Bamboo is a relatively inexpensive, more modern plant fiber. The luster has a nice glowing shine and the staple length is about 5 (12-13cm). There are two types of bamboo available. The first is typically ecru white and is dyed to achieve different bright and beautiful colors the white bamboo is glossy and makes a great silk substitute. There is also a process of burning the bamboo, which results in what is called carbonized bamboo fiber. The carbonized fiber has a very matte, charcoal appearance not unlike what spun coal might look like :].
22 While the regular white dyed bamboo is perfect for multiple applications, the carbonized variety would be perfectly suited to more experimental type applications including, but not limited to dolls with a slight air of mystery or creep factor! Note: One caution for plant fibers is that they generally ignite and burn easily, so keep the fibers away from open flame. If fire is a concern and you want to use a natural fiber, animal fibers are much less likely to ignite. Cellulose Synthetic Fibers While cellulose fibers are plant based (as the term cellulose implies), they are not considered natural due to the extensive processes required to form the fibers. Most cellulose fibers are made from wood, including the two we ll discuss here, Viscose (Rayon) and Tencil. Processing aside, the main difference between cellulose synthetic and plant based fibers is that the cellulose fibers generally are much glossier and have a more even thickness than the natural plant fibers. The bamboo fiber certainly makes a great rival in terms of shine, but the cellulose fibers are shinier. Extreme shine can sometimes give dolls a plastic look, which can be intentional as we ll see with the polymer synthetics. The cellulose synthetics are just shiny enough to outshine human hair, but not so much that they wouldn t be believable as realistic hair for dolls, so they are a great happy medium if you are looking for something in between.
23 Viscose (Rayon) Viscose, Rayon, and Art silk are three terms used to label the same fiber. The name Viscose is common in Europe, while Rayon is a US term. Art Silk was adopted by the textile industry due to the fiber s similar look and feel to real silk. Typically doll suppliers will call the fiber Viscose. Viscose is extremely popular for miniature doll wigging. These fibers, which are easily accessible online, have been dyed to closely match many human hair colors. A small amount goes a long way for a little doll, so it is likely that even the smallest quantities will be enough to wig several dolls. The micron count is comparable to silk. The staple length is at least 6-7 (14-16cm). Tencil/Lyocell
24 Lyocell fiber, commonly referred by its brand name Tencil, is yet another cellulose synthetic fiber developed to imitate fine silk let me tell you, it does a pretty great job of it! This fiber was released in 1991, making it one of the newer synthetic fibers available on the market. By touch, tencil feels softer and more slippery than the viscose. Tencil s luster has an almost glow-like sheen. This fiber would make fabulous wigs for ball joined dolls! The standard fiber color is a bright, brilliant white, but lyocell takes dyes beautifully. The average staple length is comparable to the long wools. The micron count is 15-22. Note: Acetate is another cellulose based fiber which is made from wood pulp and/or cotton fibers. You know those really cheap scruffy looking doll wigs, or the poor dolls with the hair that permanently looks statically charged even though the doll is new? That could very likely be acetate you are witnessing. Acetate is a horrible, cheap fiber for doll hair, so while it is commonly used in doll manufacturing, I do not recommend it for your projects, so I am just not going to cover it here. Pretend this conversation never happened ;]. Polymer Synthetic Fibers Polymer fibers are light weight, very strong and resistant to damage. Play dolls, Blythe, fashion dolls and most plastic/vinyl dolls have hair made with synthetic polymer fibers. There are varying degrees of quality among polymer fibers ranging from cheap and straw-like to shimmering and downright gorgeous. If you are looking for a quality polymer fiber, look to nylon and saran hair types. Though it is not as strong and is recommended for rooted hair, acrylic fibers also deserve a mention here among the polymers.
25 Nylon My Little Ponies are rooted with nylon fibers. Nylon is much thicker than saran and the strands have a dense, plastic feel. Nylon is very easy to style and will hold curls. This fiber is available in many colors including some pretty off the wall colors like seafoam and electric blue. Nylon can be slippery to work with and will take a little getting used to. Staple lengths can vary anywhere from 6 to 36 inches.
26 Saran Saran hair is the most common type of hair found in Barbie dolls. This plastic based fiber is relatively cheap and comes in many, many different colors including special mixed blends. Saran tends to have a greasy feel. This can easily be remedied with a wash or two (or three). This fiber is best used straight, as it doesn t hold curls or style well. Also, be cautious about UV exposure and the brighter colors, as they will fade over time. Because saran is a synthetic polymer fiber, the staple length can be infinite. Most suppliers offer saran in lengths up to 30 (76 cm). Saran is finer than Nylon.
27 Acrylic If you have ever used synthetic fur on a doll, chances are, it was probably acrylic. Acrylic fibers are made to mimic other fibers like natural furs and wool roving. Where saran and nylon feel cool and slick to the touch, acrylic fibers feel warm and spongy, like wool. Some acrylic fibers can feel a bit cheap (think cheap yarn feel), but some are not bad and the price is almost always low. If you are just starting out in doll wigging or your have a small supply budget, acrylic can be a great way to build up your materials stash :]. Acrylic can also be great for kid projects due to the low price and the ease of handling.
28 Fiber Resources Guide Natural Fiber Resources Harbor Fibers Studio (USA Resource) for a large selection of natural animal and plant based fibers, visit the Harbor Fibers Studio shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/harborfibers. Don t see what you need? Contact the owner she might have it available even if it isn t in her shop! The proprietor, Irina (pictured above) knows a great deal about the natural fibers used in doll making she carries most all the natural fibers we ve discussed in this lesson including several kinds of sheep wools, mohair, alpaca, bamboo, tussah silk, soy silk (milk fiber) and more. She can help you determine the best fibers and quantities needed for your project. Now that you know about staple length, microns, luster and crimp, just let her know what you are looking for! At her studio in Gig Harbor Washington, Irina teaches workshops on felting and working with fibers and is very knowledgeable about each fiber and its properties. Even more impressive, Irina personally visits many of the animals from whom she purchases her animal based fibers she knows the animals are extremely well cared for and that the fibers are high quality! (By now, you might be thinking, this is a crazy, glowing review what, does this author have stock in the company? Haha no, I just can t say enough good things about this gal and her business.) When I presented this doll fiber research project to Irina, she invited me to come to her studio and gave me a three hour presentation on the common
29 vocabulary used in the fiber world as well as the properties of each fiber. She gave me samples of each fiber so I would have them to photograph for you. Visit her online shop and if you don t see what you are looking for, or you need more assistance, drop her a note! She ships international too :] Oh, and I highly recommend the alpaca silk blends, tussah silks and merino silk blends heavenly soft! harborfibers@gmail.com. Doll Artist s Workshop (USA based) carries viscose, dyed tussah silk and Tibetan lambskins. These are three popular fibers for miniature dolls. http://www.minidolls.com/showpage.php?pageid=dollhair Cool Cat Collection Wefted Mohair (Based in Taiwan) http://stores.ebay.com/coolcat-collection-doll-accessories/1-mohair- Wefted- /_i.html?_fsub=550807012&_sid=372611742&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 Synthetic Fiber Resources Restore Doll The most recommended site to order polymer synthetic fibers from is RestoreDoll.com. I placed an order and it came within a few days. They provide Katsilk (Saran) Doll Hair, flocking and Rerooting supplies http://stores.restoredoll.com/storefront.bok My Little Customs (UK Based) Saran and Nylon hair will help you find the quantity need for your rerooting projects. http://www.mylittlecustoms.com/ Retro Dolls A UK based small company for synthetic fibers: http://www.retrodolls.co.uk/index.html IxTEE Hong Kong Based synthetic hair seller specializing in supplies for Blythe: http://stores.ebay.com/ixtee-com/1-heat-proof-hair-weft- /_i.html?_fsub=868518012&_sid=215023472&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
30 Recommended Reading If you want to learn more about natural animal fibers, I highly recommend the Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius. This full color volume contains descriptions and images of over 200 fibers across the world. The images of individual fibers are so detailed, you will feel like you have your own journal of different fibers in each stage from locks to spun wool. In addition to writing an amazing book, Deborah and Carol are extremely helpful and passionate about fibers! I needed a little help determining whether Tibetan really was the name for a sheep breed or if it was simply a name applied to the fiber or region. I wrote an email to these ladies and within a day they responded with great additional information! They continued to answer all the animal fiber questions I posed these gals are quite knowledgeable about fibers! This book also contains a more extensive section on micron counts as well as other weights and measurements used for fibers. Also, learn more fiberrelated vocabulary! The page below has several links for where to purchase the book. I recommend a hard copy over a digital one as you can really get a sense of the fiber colors and scales when holding the book in your hands. http://www.fleeceandfiber.com/
31 This is what my research for this lesson looked like. Fiber madness! And it s just the beginning. (Can you spot Molly, my tiny sheep friend?)
32 Complete Wigging Workshop Outline Each lesson will guide you with resources, projects and complete information for doll hair wigging and application methods of all kinds for dolls in multiple scales from the smallest dollhouse miniature doll to 18 American Girl style dolls and larger. Lessons are released in subscription format on the 15 th of every month. New subscribers will receive all prior monthly lessons at the time of purchase. Lesson 1- The fibers used in doll hair. (Immediate release) Lesson 2- Wigging supplies & Resources, Wig cap projects & a primer on natural hair growth patterns. (Release Jan 15 th, 2013) Lesson 3- Manipulating & Dyeing Fibers (Release Feb 15 th, 2013) Lesson 4- Wig Making Part A (Release Mar 15 th, 2013) Lesson 5- Wig Making Part B (Release Apr 15 th, 2013) Lesson 6- Direct Fiber Application Methods (Release May 15 th, 2013) Lesson 7- Rooting & Rerooting Methods (Release Jun 15 th, 2013) Lesson 8- Styling & Restoration (Release Jul 15 th, 2013) Lesson 9- Fabric, Sewn & Felted Hair Methods (Release Aug 15 th, 2013) Lesson 10- Sculpted, Artistic Hair & Advanced Styles (Release Sep 15 th, 2013) Lesson 11- Additional Tips & Techniques (Release Oct 15 th, 2013) Would you like to purchase the rest of this tutorial? Visit my shop for your Complete Guide to Doll Hair & Wigging Tutorial: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dollproject
33 This is a Doll Project Tutorial from Jessica Hamilton I send out free projects (mostly doll-related) on the first Friday of every month. If you are not a subscriber and would like to join my free email newsletter list, you can sign up at http://dollproject.com :]. Copyright and Usage 2012 Jessica Hamilton, dba Doll Project All rights reserved. No part of this tutorial may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without prior written permission of Jessica Hamilton.