General Principles
- Chain is much easier to work with than yarn. If a piece already in place is too long or too short (assuming you use chain as described below), you can always fix it.
- Headdresses should be symmetrical (left to right).
- Choose a consistent theme for a headdress. Don't do part one-way and part another.
Chain
- Select an inexpensive chain, you will use a lot of it learning to make chain headdresses.
- Choose color that standout on from the hair.
- Do not use chain that has soldered or welded links. If you do, you will not be able seamlessly add chain to existing pieces.
- Don't cut chain link if you can help it. Open the link as it was a jump ring and remove. Save the links you remove, you may need them later.
Jump Rings
- Open jump rings by twisting, never by spreading. If you spread a jump ring it is much more difficult to get it to close correctly.
- Unless you are using jump rings as a decorative element in your design:
- Use 5mm jump rings when joining 3 to 4 chains together.
- Use 10mm jump rings when joining more than 4 chains together. It there are too many chains coming together at a single point to use a 10mm jump ring, you should consider simplifying your design.
- To join two pieces of the same type of chain together, use one of the links you saved.
- When connecting chains with jump rings, take care that the chains fan out from the jump ring without being twisted. The easiest way to do this is to add chains working either clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Working on the Headdress
- If possible, make your measurements on the person that will be wearing the headdress. Make sure that they understand that for the headdress to fit properly they should have the same hair style when you a making the headdress as the style they expect to have when they will be wearing the headdress.
- Do as much work possible with the headdress on the wig head rather than on the person.
- Do not put a wig on the wig head while working on the headdress. It does not matter if the headdress fits loosely.
Measuring Chain
- Use the chain as a measuring tape.
- Measure as long lengths as possible. If a length will we divided into 2 or more equal length segments, measure to full length and then divide the chain.
- If 2 or more parts of a headdress are the same length (e.g. equivalent pieces on left and right sides) measure once and make the other piece(s) identical length.
Headdress With Skulls
Reasonable Quantity of Chain
Opening Jump Rings
Student Working on Headress