Hi everyone.

I did a search for "styling hair" and it came back with some responses but not really what I was looking for.  It was more about if you could get hair in a certain style.

My question involves actually styling hair that is already on a puppet, much like a person would style their own hair. 

I have made a puppet with the Melonhead Pattern from Project Puppet, and for his hair I used a strip of craft fur that I found at JoAnn Fabrics.  Man, that stuff was a MESS to use, especially when it had to be cut...but that's another topic in and of itself!!!!   

Anyways, I got the craft fur mounted to the head perfectly and I like the way it turned out...however, I'm wondering if anyone has any idea how to "style" the hair so that it ends up looking a certain way??  I was THINKING that maybe just taking some white craft glue and putting it into the fur just like you would put gel into your own hair might work.  I'm not too concerned about how the hair feels after it's done, so if it's hard and crunchy that's fine, just so long as it still looks good. 

Thanks!!!

Glue on fur does clump it up; not a good look for styling hair because it doesn't make it hard and crunchy, more like so matted together you won't be able to style it at all. I tend to use glue on fur when I want to make green fur look like grass at the edge of a pond. Of course, here in Aus., getting hold of long fur is incredibly tough, so I tend to avoid using fur at all for hair, unless I'm doing an average monster puppet, a la Elmo. (I seem to recall in previous threads that hair styling spray might work, but not glue)

However, it entirely depends on the materials used. On my last puppet, I used felting wool (almost like mohair), created a wig out of it, then sat down and gave my puppet a hair cut (see pic below). This can work on normal wool as well. The trick to this is to make the wig hair as long as possible, and then cut away what you don't need. It's easier to make a wig longer and shorten it, than make it short and lengthen it. Then grab a pair of scissors, accessories, etc. and have at it.

Man, that stuff was a MESS to use, especially when it had to be cut...but that's another topic in and of itself!!!!

I don't know how you cut the fur, but the mess can be minimized by using a single-edge razor, and cutting from the back. That way you cut very few of the fibers, and don't have little fiberlets floating up your nose.

To minimize the mess of loose fiber and run the risk of cutting fur fibers to short.................. I cut faux fur one of two ways. I draw out my pattern on the back of the fur and cut with a straight edge razor. Another way is to part the fur from the front and cut with scissors.
Depending on the length of the fur and type hairstyle you want ........................... I would just buy some cheap hairspray. they are some hair products to stiffing hair. you could also use starch or a fabric stiffener to add body to the fur. You might be able to style your wig and use clear spray paint. Never the less I would just take some small scrap pieces of fur and experiment. Can't wait to see the ending results.


Billy D.  

I agree with the straight razor idea...that's how I do it.  When you think about the fur...keep in mind the way human hair grows.  The direction the fur lays plays a big part in the final style.  To add volume to the hair style use foam under the hair instead of trying to fluff the hair.  If your going to use fabric stiffener transfer the wig to a mannequin because it makes the whole thing damp and you don't want your puppet to get wet.  Make sure you work the stiffener all the way through the fur.....down to the skin/scalp bottom layer then style with a comb.  Aerosol hair spray does work well for a less permanent style and can be brushed out and restyled.  You can get some really cool scissors and combs from a beauty supply store that will help trim the fur without making a blunt edge.

Julie

To style your "wig" on your puppet just use the same method you would for you own hair.   Grab a brush or comb and have at it. Then break out the hair spray and give it a good shot.  Na is correct that white glue is just going to clump it up although if you thinned the white glue down and then put it in a spray bottle you might get results you could live with. I've actually had to deal with wigs for actors that have had a process similar to the white glue application and I really don't like it. Over time the hair style still gets a bit messy and since you have bonded the fibers with the glue you can't really "fix" it. I would stick with the hairspray method.  Granted the hair style may be messy but with hairspray you'll be able to reset the style. Long term use of hairspray can create a build up that starts to become visible though so you may at some point have to replace the fake fur or if you make it removable you could wash it.  To get hairspray build up out of a wig or fake fur simple put in bath of warm water and rub baking soda into it.  The baking soda well break down the build up and then you can rinse it out.

I have never heard of using the baking soda on wigs, I'll have to remember that...................... you can use that stuff for most anything.

Billy d.

Does anyone have suggestions for longer hair that looks realistic, like that faux fur that looks good as hair?  I'd like to create some characters that have long hair, as in shoulder-length puppet-equivalent.  So it could either hang in front of the face or behind it, like real long hair.

Well a wig is always a good alternative.  You can cut them down to size to fit your puppet head.  Cut an upside down V out of the back and sew it back up.  The bit you cut out can be used on other puppets that need less hair. You cut the wig from the underside just like you do fur so you don't cut the hair fibers.  Actually with wigs it is much easier.  

Yak hair is a good choice for long hair.  I've seen yarn used which works pretty well. Really anything could be used for hair...  

Try old curtain sheers cut into small strips and then sewn into a base, then you pull on the end of each strip.  See what happens... it is kind of cool!

How about untwisting a length of rope and then combing that with a dog brush.

Tinsel from your Christmas tree sewn into a base.

There is a product called Rafia you can get in craft and hobby stores that could make cool long hair.

Horse hair or crinoline tubes can be used. Refrence Google images of wigs

How long is your girlfriend's or wife's hair.... never mind that one could get you in real trouble.

P.S.  After I posted I realized you said "realistic"... not all of those are realistic but I'll leave them as ideas for folks.