My 1st little SE Dready (edited for more pictures) help?

[schwarz_engelblut]

It's all sad and lumpy with tons of little loops on it DX I backcombed the bejebus out of that sucker (while trying to get rid of loops and knots) and all THAT did was make my arm cramp lol the loop at the top ha-yoooog because I had to attach it to the bath faucet before I poured the boiled water on it since its just a practice one. I tried to seal it using pliers and boiling water but that didn't go so well so I tried using a flame... ehhh.. icky... help????








this is going to be my 2nd attempt, but I get the feeling that the problem lies in the backcombing. By the time I pick out the bits that shouldn't be there, it almost looks like it did when it was in the package





edit*
ok so I got dread happy and made a few more today :] it was fun lol the longest was bum length and the shortest, chest length (I'm rather small, by the way) On one of them, I turned for a second while sealing it and scorched it on the burner....then cried like a baby >__<;
they're not perfect, but I love them ^__^ (the random extra rubberbands are just there so I can remember the 1st, 2nd, ect that I made)








and to show how easily amused I am its.. dun dun dunnnn DREAD-A-BROOOOW!!!!!!

[LittlePinkFaery]

I am no dread expert but it doesn't look like you are twisting enough.

You need to backcomb a little more, keep practicing- you will get there!

A lighter will melt the hair, try a hairdryer or steam from a kettle

[Acorn]

ALOT more backcombing and you'l get there

[schwarz_engelblut]

yeah, I resealed it with steam and it looks a whole lot better. I'm about to backcomb more hair and try again

I think I'm having waaay too much fun with this XD

[Acorn]

they look great now

[LittlePinkFaery]

ooh yo have added more- you are getting better!

Try DE rather than SE- they will be easier to install if you are doing SE you need to also seal the loop so it is not quite so poofy!

I look forward to seeing you progress!

[LizSherman]

They are looking LOADS better! =D I second the DE comment, they're a weensy bit harder to make (or I find that anyway XD) but so much easier to install!

[davendor]

They definitely seem to be getting better the more you try. Try twisting it after you've back combed to make sure there are no lumps.

[schwarz_engelblut]

okay thanks

I shall try the DEs!!

[MissAnthropik]

agreed, they are improving.

Are you backcombing more now as well as steam sealing? Looking at your backcombed picture it is nowhere near backcombed enough. That said, some people make unbackcombed dreads, but they don't hold up as well and require more hair making them heavier.

[schwarz_engelblut]

I made a few more and backcombed ALOT. my arm is still sore.
I sealed them with steam then boiling water. OH! I made a few candycane DEs Would it be too much of a bother to ask for a picture of someones backcombing?

[IKickShins]

When you haev backcombed enough, you'll know because your dreads will be tapered. The backcombed dread in the picture should be a little skinnier at the bottom:



Edited to add that I like my dreads to have very skinny ends. You don't necessarily have to get the same shape as in that picture, but you should see a definite taper at some point down the dread.

[schwarz_engelblut]

ahhhhh okay :O