Wigs Hidden Fire Hair - a "lace" wig (nudity warning)

ATTENTION: What you will see in this post is the old version of this doll's wig. I have since revamped it (see image below), and the updated wigmaking procedure could be found in this new thread.


Smoke and Fire by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr

-ORIGINAL POST STARTS HERE-​

Even before I bought my first doll, I've already bookmarked this particular tutorial for a "lace" wig. "Lace" is emphasized because it uses a different technology than what is usually employed for lace wigs, but it does show the scalp and could be styled/parted like such.

For a long time now, Adhara has been sporting an alpaca wig (not seen: reddish ombre down at the back):

06 - Sword in Hand by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr

Alpaca wigs are awesome in their own right (Ohsosoft! People have to resist the urge to continuously pat the wig during meets, as a result.), but the above wig was made prior to the character's faceup overhaul. It may have worked marvelously when her faceup was still on the "natural" side, but where the Chinese opera/Kabuki-esque makeup was concerned, it's probably not the best. Furthermore, Fantasia Vivian's head sculpt is pretty difficult to find wigs for because she's in between sizes. It's high time I tried making her wig myself.

Her character is a fire-based feathered serpent. Since her faceup does a lot to send that across, why not the hair? While I originally envisioned another ombre kind of hair, dyeing heat-resistant fibers is difficult. Rather than risk getting my doll permanently stained with fiery streaks, I decided to go for the "hidden colors" kind of hair. In this case, fire-colored combinations of hair underneath black, with her faceup as a guide.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to properly document the progress of this project. ^_^' As such, the images are only of the completed wig, or when it was close to completion. It's a shame the projects that I actually finish don't have their corresponding project journals or progress pics, argh!

WIP shots prior to final rooting of the edges and adding the hairline weft:

Wig WIP - Glamour Shot 2 by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr


Wig WIP - Glamour Shot 4 by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr

During the headcap-making stage, the plastic wrap/glue/tulle layers combo ended up taking a bit of her left eyebrow. T_T I couldn't even peel the plastic wrap off -- that's how strong the glue was (I used a washable fabric glue). So I deviated from the tutorial and kept it underneath the cap (it will be glued over anyway). Thankfully, the masklike nature of her faceup meant that the peeled off bits weren't noticeable, and the faceup artist assured me she'd happily touch her up.

And finally, after the final conditioning and ironing (strands were heat-resistant Dollmore hair):

06 - Side Gather 2 by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr


12 - Swept Up 5 by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr


16 - Swept Up 8 by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr


23 - Side Gather 4 by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr

The project took more than 3 months to complete (note that I wasn't threading hairs 24/7), and was really a study of patience. I screwed up a bit on the finishing stage, of all the times. The hairline weft was made a little too thick, hence causing a bit of gapping around the forehead and sideburns. It's hardly noticeable anyhow, so I still consider it a success. Definitely helps round off her fiery look!

Bonus -- in a bun:

24 - Bun (quarter view) by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr


25 - Bun (rear) by Yela Gatchalian-David, on Flickr

 

Thank you for the feedback, everyone! Best of luck to those who will also attempt wigs using this method!

Mohair seems to hate this wigmaking style. XD I have sweaty hand issues, so I tend to rely on either pliers or tweezers to pull the needle through the wig cap (broke at least 5 beading needles, too). This kind of wig isn't viable for commissions, sadly. The amount of man hours needed would mean it'd cost almost as much as a doll!