Viscose Woes

Hmm, viscose is definitely more "floaty" than other types of fibers, and it can be quite delicate and prone to tangling. So you're not wrong there--it can be a real pain to work with. I have some long-length viscose meant to be used for dolls from a (now defunct, I believe) seller and boy is that stuff ANNOYING to handle! I couldn't tell you if it's the wrong type (viscose is a pretty broad term) or a bad batch without knowing what you bought exactly, but you're not wrong in thinking it is a real hassle to work with.

My only advice is to be very careful when handling it! It can't get wet, unfortunately, so there's very few options for taming that float. I've had a bit of luck very lightly--and I mean LIGHTLY--moistening my fingertips. I have to go MUCH more slowly when making the wefts using viscose than with any other fiber I've ever used, because it's just so everywhere... And I do end up wearing a generous proportion of it.

Also, I would make much shorter wefts (as in, the horizontal distance). It's really hard to get it controlled and well-lined-up for a big long strip, so I wouldn't even bother. That way lies madness.

 

To tame floating hair strands for making wigs or for later styling I recommend cheap conditioner diluted with lots of water in a fine mist spray bottle. For natural fibers it's okay to use stuff with some oils as the fiber will absorb it. Plastic fibers will not absorb oil and can re-deposit that oil on your doll. Some oils react with resin and it's better to keep them from directly touching your dolls. I just finished a mohair fiber wig and leave-in-spray conditioner was a life saver. Good luck!

 

I make a lot of wigs out of Viscose. I brush the ever living crap out of it and just toss the short knotty bits. Only the fibers that are long and behave do I keep and work with. I make lots of little bundles of them, and when making wigs, just cut little bits off the bundle and glue the blunt edge of the viscose directly to the wig cap. I only make wefts for the partings, and it turns out pretty good IMO.

Good luck! I have more issue with teeswater than viscose. It's a little more floaty than suri. I LOVE working with Soy, it's so stylable!

 

I primarily use viscose and I love the stuff. I think it's a million times better than acrylic yarn. I start by carefully untwisting the roving hank/ball and pinch off fiber as I need it. I notice that trying to pull huge chunks out makes for a greater mess later vs smaller chunks where the fiber lengths align better. It does float around and get places, but that's why pulling smaller chunks is important to keep the roving hank/ball organized and from tangeling. I think viscose roving has very VERY good "memory" so to speak. Just holding the wig in hand can leave impressions of the finger grooves on the fiber, but a good brush out usually removes this.

I use hot glue to make viscose wigs. I dont make wefts, I apply the fiber directly. I use silicone tools like rubber finger caps and silicone mask applicators. I work in small sections as well.

I start by applying a small area with hot glue, then I apply the viscose and press it in place. This keeps the applied fiber in place well enough for me to go over it again and really glue it in. If you want a neater application, I suggest using scissors to cut the top cm or 1/2 inch, and use that as a guide to stay organized while applying the fiber. I brush out the fiber as I go along vs waiting until the end to brush out all the loose/excess fibers. I keep a small trash bin on my desk, the kind where the lid pops up when you press a button.

Viscose "sticks" to itself really well. Whenever I have little bits on my work area, I collect them and start to rub it between my hands to make a loosely felted ball. You can just keep adding to that ball forever, and toss the felted ball when you want.

I hope something here helps and you haven't given up on using this really great, budget friendly, colorful wig fiber