Padding and Shaping

Elizabethan hairstyles are still used in todays fashion. There are different, contemporary versions of Elizabethan hairstyles that are particularly popular with catwalks and photo shoots. Below are Elizabethan styles and contemporary versions that use padding to shape the hair.

Round Hairstyles

Image from: http://nttreasurehunt.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ntiii_nost_960230_large.jpg

Image from: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=52838673

Heart Shaped Hairstyles

Image from: http://www.elizabethancostume.net/gallery/images/lettice.jpg

Image from: http://i5.cdnds.net/12/41/or_mcqueenelizabethianjpg.jpg

In our lesson, we learnt how to use padding to shape the hair into different hairstyles. We used thin tights filled with couch roll and moulded them into shape. We had to leave a section at the front to cover the padding, and then put a little french plait in the hair so the padding can be secured to that. I decided to crimp the whole hair as this creates texture and it makes the hair easier to put into place. I then left a small section at the front as used the frizzing effect to put over the padding. Below are the stages of my work. 

Firstly, I began with crimping the hair. 

 I then got a pair of tights and filled it with tissue.

 This is the finished padding.

I then braided the hair to secure the padding to.

I used a kirby grip to secure the padding to the braid.

I then brought the hair over the padding to cover it up.

I used the frizzing technique for the fringe.

 All the hair has now been brought over.

 Side angle

From the front.

I plaited the extra hair left at the back.

Other side angle.

Back view.

I used two different sized padding on my dolls head. I wanted to see whether the smaller padding worked better or the larger one. I think the bigger one worked better as I was able to move it round the back of the head and it gave me a much better shape. I can now experiment and start to create a more symmetrical design using the larger padding.