Phenomenal . . .

Phenomenal . . .
Life, Growth, and Connection (This sunflower was nourished by my hands.) 2010; Photography by Benita Blocker. Please become a follower of this blog.

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Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Using transparent thread to maintain loc Length

 So I bought some Baby Phat jeans from a consignment store, and they were already hemmed from the previous owner. That is when I noticed the thread was virtually clear and invisible.  The thread was sooo thin.  Wow!  Then I was watching a youtube video of a loctician who recommended using sewing thread versus hair weaving thread to mend dreadlocks because sewing thread was thinner.  However, this transparent thread is at a whole level above what the youtube loctician was even suggesting.  Who knew my pre-owned Baby Phat jeans were going to fit my figure and give me a secret tip for loc repair?

Can you see that the transparent thread is as fine as hair wrapped around my finger?  Amazing! Right?

So I found one of my locs around the hairline that had begun to look "scary thin."  It was going to be a matter of another shampoo service, and this loc was probably going to lose some length. So it didn't look like I had much else to lose, so I decided to mend it in order to maintain my loc length.

 Using the "smoke" (black) colored transparent thread I began to hand stitch the lower half of the loc that I felt was going to break off at next stressful manipulation of it.  The resulting loc is pictured above.  Yes, it looks shorter because I overlapped my hair within the loc.  Then I interlocked the loc at the top where the lock had gaps. Pictured above, you can see the loose gaps in the top of the loc.  I actually used the tapesty needles to interlock this lock.  My previous blog article talks about the plastic tapestry needles.

So I am really, really pleased with my final results of this loc as pictured above.  The interlocking method reinforced the gaps in the top of the loc and the thread will forever support the lower half of my loc allowing me to maintain my loc length.  Yes, the loc looks much firmer now without bulk, without yarn, without any extension hair.  Mission accomplished so far!  I will have to watch this loc for any future changes. The transparent thread looks like hair so palm rolling was not necessary, and blending was a piece of cake.

6 comments:

  1. How interesting!!! I would love to repair a couple of my locks and I thinking of doing that with the transparent tread. Thanks for the share!

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    1. Of course, you're welcome! Please keep me posted on the MAC blush powder that you have been eyeing! I still love the Raizin color, but if you find another one that works for you, then it may work for me too!!!

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  2. I have one loc that has a big knot in it from not pulling tight when I brought the needle through while interlocking, it's so big I can hardly go through at the root, I'm going to see if I can secure the loc on both sides of knot, then cut the knot off so the loc will be small enough to go through the base. I was scared to cut it off cause I think the loc would not be secure and break in half, now I can try to secure the loc with thread, did you get the thread at that fabric s

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    1. Hi Gale: Yes, the thread came from Hancock Fabrics. I bought the last spool of smoke colored transparent thread that they had in stock so it must be the most popular color. I suggest using an awl or a stick pin to loosen the knot and massage the knot out. Cutting into the loc does not advisable. Also, careful not to weaken the base/root of the loc from stress.

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  3. Ok, I'll try to loosen the knot, I just don't want to break the loc in half

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