I finally got it!

[kimikosews]

After many tries, with many configurations and ways of keeping my hair up, I finally figured out how to keep the hair plaits up underneath a French hood with a minimum of hair pins - and without the hair pins getting bent out of shape with my thick hair. And the hair plaits were so sturdy on my head that it kept the French hood I wear on it without

Comments

[marymont]

Try Sally Beauty Supply. I've often found them there. http://www.sallybeauty.com/Jumbo-Hair-Pins/STARTE2,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH

[kimikosews]

Thanks for the suggestion. Sadly, those are not the same kind. The metal is wimpier, thinner, and smaller in size than the larger sturdy U-pins in the photo above. I know, I bought them from Sally in the hopes they would work. They do ok, but they bend out of shape really quickly in my hair.

I am trying to remember and hunt up where I found them. I think I may be using the wrong search terms. They are designed specifically for hair buns, as I remember seeing some picture of a woman in profile with a bun. The closest I've found to the ones I use are Amish hair pins, but I did not order them from the Amish - but I will if I have to.

[marymont]

In that case, consider making your own? Get wire the stiffness you like, bend it into the shape you like, and sand the tips smooth. I had some copper ones made by a lady in the East Kingdom eons ago, and they were very nice, but much heavier

[kimikosews]

Mary, your hair is finer than my asian thick hair. This is why I was so happy to finally have this process work for me, as before I had to do the full Italian hair taping along with the plaited hair & ribbons in order to control my hair, and now it is down to the hair plait & only three pins (2 was not enough to hold my really thick hair).

[chindora]

I just bought a couple of those pins, so I know that they are still around. I got them from Walgreens, I think. Maybe Wal-Mart, but probably the drug store. I either do mine with the taping or use huge bobby pins. My hair is down below my waist, so I understand how challenging it can be to find the right technique. Your hair is nice and full of texture, but mine is ultra fine and straight, so I really had to work at finding a way to put it up and keep it up. I always envy people with wavy hair, because their hair seems so much better behaved than mine, and easier to put up. The funny thing is that everyone I know with wavy hair spends a ridiculous amount of money and time trying to straighten their hair!

[kimikosews]

Thank you for letting me know they are still around. It is a challenge, and believe me, my wavy hair has a mind of its own. I think all hair types do have their own unique challenges, as my daughter's hair is fine and has it's own problems, and I've a number of really curly haired friends who have complained about their own challenges.

And I prefer really curly to straight hair, but gave up on perms years ago. I tried to straighten my hair once, and gave up because it is also a lot of work to keep it straight. It also damaged the hair which I didn't like. So I figure this is what I've been granted with, I may as well learn the best way to take care of what I've got.

[chindora]

Your loose gown is really nice, btw. Did you line the entire thing with faux fur? pretty, pretty!

[kimikosews]

Thank you. I lined the whole thing in minkie (or is it minky) fur - the kind kids stuffed toys are made from which is 100% polyester, with the edges trimmed in the faux fur which was a pain to work with. It keeps the whole gown rather warm, which is fine for fall/winter events. It also means I can wash the whole thing in the washer, which is helpful in removing mud.

[eggies_red_dres]

I put my hair up in a coronet of braids just with bobby pins and found that my embroidered coif sits *remarkably* better and more securely. Anyway, It was really just a funny anecdote to illustrate that I should have learned that a long time ago.

As for hair supplies, from Extreme Lengths comes a link to a source for smooth steel hairpins:

http://www.plainlydressed.com/veils-accessories.html

That's a good looking loose gown. I have one in my mind and in supplies, I just can't seem to get them going once I have the supplies!

[eggies_red_dres]

Re posted for formatting.

[kimikosews]

Thank you for the links! I just ordered their steel hair pins which I hope will work out as nicely as the ones I have. At least that's my hope.

The gown went together really quickly once I got the stuff together. Like I mentioned, I do need to redo the sleeves, but thankfully I still have plenty of fabric for that - I just need to get off my behind and do it.

And I hope to work my way into learning how to make a coronet of braids. My hair isn't long enough yet and I am still learning how to braid and work with my hair. When I was younger, I paid a lady to do up my hair in a braid coronet at faire and I loved it. Sadly, she isn't around faires anymore and most events is just me fumbling around with my hair. Practice, I need to just practice at home. Someday I hope to make an embroidered coif as well - I just need to finish my partlet first.

[florentinescot]

seconds the Sally Beauty Supply. I used to get them for Granny there.