even the ball-point ones? ball-point needles are blunt tipped and meant to slide between the threads in fabric, rather than piercing it. when sewing tricot or fine knits, a regular needle will cut the threads and snag them, leaving a ravelly mess, while the ball-points just slide in and seperate.
what I'm wearing: 1 pkg 18" DLux SS #2 and protac
Naked Eye
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hmm, I would like to know too, I really want to make my own wefts, if I
am feeling adventuras in the next few weeks I might buy some cheap bulk
BSS hair and try it just to see....
They have special machines with three different heads and it takes quite a bit of skill I'm told. I'm in the process now of making my own skin wefts. I've been doing alot of homework and ordered different supplies to experiment. There is a wig school in Korea, anybody up for a road trip?
naked eye: let me know how it turns out, if you try to make a weft. my machine's in serious need of a tune-up so it'll be a month before i can try. also: i'd recommend using the upholstery needle since it won't degrade with wear and washing.
even the ball-point ones? ball-point needles are blunt tipped and meant to slide between the threads in fabric, rather than piercing it. when sewing tricot or fine knits, a regular needle will cut the threads and snag them, leaving a ravelly mess, while the ball-points just slide in and seperate.
Yep.. been there.. tried that.. I sew too.. (well at least I used to.. no time anymore.. *sigh**) Used to try and use my sewing machine to seal wefts to prevent shedding.. Upholstery needs, ball point needles.. yep they all will cut or damage the hair.. To create wefts, there is special equipment and needles that they use to create machine wefts..
Edited by Divavocals
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I saw that website a few months ago and have been meaning to try it, but have been to busy. I wonder where we could get the right kind of needles for it? If anyone finds a source, let us know!! I'l love to be able to make one thick weft instead of having to triple up single wefts. And it would be awesome to double over the entire length so there would be no beard!
In the meantime, here's a link for making handtied wefts! Crap, I saved the webpage to my hard drive and don't know the link. Let me search..... Crap, well I can't find the original link, but here's the exact same tutorial here: http://www.mhrw.com/weft_technique.html Though it looks a LOT more complicated than making a machine weft, and I'd be afraid it would shed.
Elvira, you are making skin wefts? I was researching that and very interested in trying, but never went very far with it because I got busy. Where can you order supplies from?
Elvira, you are making skin wefts? I was researching that and very interested in trying, but never went very far with it because I got busy. Where can you order supplies from?
The first thing I did was find out that the rubbery material that on the skin part of the weft is called thin mono-mesh based with poly coat. I thought that the lace front materials that are used must be similar to the skin weft
material. Here are the different materials used for lace fronts:
Polyurethane This is used as a border to create a better form. Polyurethane can come in three different
thickness': light, medium or heavy.
PU See Thru This is the clearest version of P.U. you can use. Unfortunately, it also is the weakest in terms of
hair loss, since the hair has no mesh to knot to. This is typically used in the front section.
Glass Silk This is the same as P.U. See Thru, except is has silk embedded into it so the hair has something to
tie into. This also appears daily see thru and will hold up as far as hair loss is concerned.
Coated Polyurethane This is the least see thru of all the polyurethane's. It also is the most durable and the thickest
to the feel.
M- Mesh Monofilament means that each hair or fiber is hand tied into an ultra fine sheer mesh base. When
looking down into a monofilament top, the hair appears to be growing out of the scalp. Monofilament
is the best base available. Monofilament wigs or hairpieces can be styled in any direction you
desire, providing the styling versatility of real hair ... the ultimate way to look and feel your
best every day!
T- Mesh A single layer of soft hexagon polyester.
Welded P-Mesh Can be 1/8" or 1/4" in the front to create a soft edge.
DTU Folded Lace Is a soft 1/8" polyester mesh folded on the front edge.
A few sites where the materials can be found-I have more too.
So I went to a couple of stores to find the materials but not a fabric store yet like Joanns Fabric.
I bought a couple of the needles they use to do the lace fronts (they are so small I can barely see them!)
I have several different projects going, as I'm sure most of us do, and would slack off, and then go back to it. The funniest thing happened when I was going through some old clothes to donate, I pulled out a bag with some brand new nylons still in the package. They were the thigh highs with the elastic bands. OK I realize most of you have no idea what I'm talking about, and those that do, are laughing. Sure enough, the material used on top of the thigh highs is the exact same as the skin wefts!!!!!!
I was so excited about my find and now I'm at the stage, OK, now what do I do? I even tried my laminator but that's another story. So this is another work in progress! I'll keep you posted on my finds.
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Divavocals--Girl you know everything when it comes to weaves. If you ever find a way for us to make wefts don't forget to post.
I'm all for saving a buck and all, but when it comes to making wefts, I will defer to the experts at Extension Plus.. I'm considering getting some of that Asian remy that Kalika got, and having EP weft it for me..
Check out the 5th So Cal offline luncheon?? For more info: divahairtalk.overthehillweb.com/lunch.html
Links to my fav vendors & hair albums + Weave 101 information: divahairtalk.overthehillweb.com
Do you have to sew the hair to the PU? Is there a way to glue it to make a skin weft?
That's a good question Afropuffs! I tried ironing,steam,laminating, but haven't tried the sewing part of it yet. What it looks like to me, is that they hand tied it like they do with the lacefronts. I do have the needles but I think that I need to do a little more research and find out exactly how it is done. It could also be that they put it all together by first the material, then the hair (bulk) and then coat it with the PU. That's what I'm thinking anyways. I'm going to give it a shot right now and I'll post pics as soon as I'm done.
Edited by elvira - June 11 2006 at 2:10pm
kristie m
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Dang, girl... I like your style! I'm always looking at something and thinking, there's got to be a way to do that... then going apesh*t trying to figure it out and find a way to make it. I know exactly what you mean about the stuff on the top of thigh-highs. It is also the stuff they put on the inside of strapless bras to kind of stick them to your sides so the bras don't slip. Please please let us know how this process comes out!
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Sewing macine needles are sharp, and will cut the hair as you're stitching..
misslou wrote:
