Microrooting the dolls hair

Categorized | Adding Hair

Microrooting the dolls hair

Posted on22 November 2009. Tags: microrooting, mohair, reborn dolls

Requires: Mohair, rooting needles, water cup, comb, scissors, handle, glue, hair dryer

You have 2 ways to add hair to your reborn day. The first is microrooting, which is a term used to describe the method of rooting strands of mohair to the dolls head. The second is to use a wig.

I would highly recommend you to use microrooting as it can give incredible results. However, it is also a lot harder.

You can buy handles for the needles to make them more comfortable to use, and they are usually rounded wooden ones. I have suggested you get a mushroom tool in the opening section which is superb for this process.

However, you can also make a makeshift one out of rubber bands if you need too.

The babies head needs to be kept warm, as this makes it softer and easier to root. You can do this in an oven if need be, although it is easier and quicker to use a hair dryer.

For best results, use 2 shades of similar color mohair and be sure to use even amounts each time. You should be looking to use about 5 inch lengths, but if you are not sure then allow for extra – you can always cut if down afterwards.

Heat up an area of the head with the blow dryer for a few seconds so it is warm to touch.

Start at the front of the head with the hair facing towards the back. Keeping the hair in place with your finger and thumb start poking the hair through with a needle, going in at an angle and not rooting in straight lines.

Continue to work around the head at the base hair line. Don’t add too much hair to any one area, and remember that a babies hair if often quite sparse.

When you have rooted the hair line, continue working upwards around the doll with the hair rooted in the same direction as other roots in that area.

As you continue to work, reheat the doll as needed, and take fresh strands of mohair as required. Once complete, look for areas that are too thin, or have too much hair and add more or pluck as required.

When you are happy with your microrooting, turn the dolls head over and add some glue to where the hair comes through – be sure to use plenty or the hair will fall out, and leave it to dry.

After pouring some glue in, with an old paintbrush, brush it over anywhere that has been rooted.

Add more glue if you need too, and don’t be afraid of going a little over the top with it.