Well.. Here I go...

[Julzabel]

I'm getting ready to start my first set of dreads. I found some of the hair I needed locally but ended up ordring my birght colors from Doctoredlocks.com. Man were they fast! So I now have Light blonde, Black, Navy blue, Bright Blue and Red 100% Kanekalon jumbo braid sitting here calling out to me. I went out and looked at steamers and purchased a conair fabric steamer for $25 at Walmart but after reading the boad posts on steamers I took it back. I was Shopping at Odd Lots and found that they had Commercial grade Rowenta Garment steamers for $50. You better believe I snapped up one of those babys and QUICK! They sell for $129 just on ebay. I've seen them at JCPenny for up to $200. I have my latch hook and combs and rubber bands and clips and metal combs...So now I'm all set accept for my Rig which I am thinking about using one of my heavy end tables to set up on. If I don't use it I may set something up that hooks to the wall by my sewing area. I'm excited to get started!!! Wish me luck! I will post my first dreads as soon as I get some nice ones done!

[Librarynerd]

You're going to have a blast! I toughed it out sealing with a flat iron for a couple months before I got a steamer. Should have invested in the steamer right from the start. I takes making a ton of dreads to learn how much pressure to use backcombing and how to get a good twist and taper.
Making your own dream dreads is worth all the work

Have you watched Rivetlickers video tutorials on dread making?
They are excellent.

[Julzabel]

I think I will enjoy making them and wearing them a lot. I'm acctually setting up my rig right now. Yippeee! Giggles!

I knew that trying to do the sealing with a flat iron wasnt going to be an option for me. I've been wanting a garment steamer anyway because I do a large about of sewing and costuming so I figure now was the time to buy one and I couldn't beat the price either.

Yes I am a fan or Rivot licker and have watched all her tuts as well as others. She Rawks!

[rivetlicker_]

[hellcity]

Hurrah! Good luck! I'm working on my first set right now actually

[Julzabel]

Good luck to you too! I have a few done and they arent bad I don't think. I made 4 regular length and 4 extra long all in blonde. I also made one candy cane with blue and blonde and will be starting on those again today. I've got a bit of helixing on a couple but I think I need to backcome the sides a tad more. Ive tried a couple different things for the loops and found I dont like how they look if I plait or braid them at the top so I just let them form their own loop. I tend to get much less of a helix when I dont braid them. Well there's the update. I will doe some more and post pics sooon!

[Julzabel]

Hi! Thanks for stopping by and for the big help you have been in getting me started!

[Julzabel]

Oh I also learned that not all Kanekalon is the same to work with. My first package of Blond was much harder to work with even though they were the same company and same color. One is much more shiney and easier to back comb. Weird!