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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

I have failed as a mother because...

34 replies

Spagblog · 09/10/2007 13:38

DD wanted two french plaits down the back of her head and after 30mins of fiddling and silent cursing...I gave up.

So, are there any top tips to creating french plaits? Can I get a device to hold on to the hair?

Or am I just too ham fisted?

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ChipButty · 09/10/2007 13:41

You are not alone! I can't even manage a ponytail without it looking crap!

chloesmumtoo · 09/10/2007 13:43

Sorry,not much help either. Same as you chipbutty. Cant do nice ponytail either lol.Will watch this space............

ChippyMinton · 09/10/2007 13:44

Use spray on conditioner or just wet the hair first, makes it easier to handle.

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NAB3 · 09/10/2007 13:44

Can just about do regular plaits. Would not have a clue how to do a french plait. Don't have enough hands!

magnolia74 · 09/10/2007 13:46

I have 4 girls but still can't do french plaits

Original poster

Spagblog · 09/10/2007 13:47

This was the look she wanted

OP posts:

AnAngelWithin · 09/10/2007 13:49

this shows you how to do it

Boredveryverybored · 09/10/2007 13:50

I can do french plaits and all manner of plaits actually comes from spending a lot of time doing barbies hair as a child I think! lol
But you def need something on the hair to make it easier to work, I usually just do it wet on dd's.
There was a link not so long ago to a 'how to' video of french plaiting. Not sure if I can find it, but wil have a quick look

pinkbubble · 09/10/2007 13:51

I find wet hair much easier to french plait. Also I keep on brushing the hair to help keep it smooth. A comb with a thin handle is also useful as this can help divide the hair into smaller sections.
I also find an outside french plait easier than in inside one.

But basically all you do is start the plait off normally, say 2 bits of the plaits, then basically take a small piece of hair from one side and put it with a strand of hair and move the plait over as normal, then do the other side, just keep on repeating this until its finished. It took me many attempts to get it and hrs of patiences on DDs head, and some days I could do it and other days I couldnt!

Original poster

Spagblog · 09/10/2007 13:51

Mmm, will try it wet.
I know how to do it...I just can't make my hands comply LOL

OP posts:

singyswife · 09/10/2007 13:52

My daughters love getting their hair french pleated. I practiced on my hair as a teenager and now I can do it on anyones hair. The trick is to not get too big a bit of hair to add in otherwise it all goes lumpy. Does your daughter have a styling head??? Try getting a cheap on and practising on that.

howlingatthefullmoonmother · 09/10/2007 13:52

agree with chippyminton its easier to do if their hair is wet or damp.

Keep practising,it took me ages to 'get' it right,I used to sit down with Dd in the evenings and just 'play' with her hair.We found some of her favourite hair styles that way.

Does help if their hair is long and all one length,I would imagine its harder to do on shorter hair(like in the picture)

pinkbubble · 09/10/2007 13:53

Does anyone know how to do the fishtail plait? I would be interested to know how!

PrettyCandles · 09/10/2007 13:55

Very difficult to describe how to do french plaits! But a compromise that might work - and is easier to do - could be to gather the hair into successive scrunchies.

Comb through.
Part from forehead to nape of neck (easiest done first from crown to forehead with her facing you, then turn her around and part from crown to neck.
Gather one side loosely in a scrunchie to keep it out of the way.
Use the pointy end of the comb handle for the following partings.
Part one side from top of ear to top of head and gather in a scrubchie.
Part again a bit further back and gather both this lot of hair and the previously gathered lot in another scrunchie.
Part again yet further back and gather as before.
Repeat until all the hair is gathered on that side. You should get the effect of a rope of hair arching down one side of her head. You can then leave loose or plait, as you choose.
Repeat for the other side of the head.

This looks very nice, and keeps the heair gathered all day, too. It also gets you used to handling lots of locks, and you might find you slip into plaiting it as you go along - it's how I learned to french plait my own hair.

Boredveryverybored · 09/10/2007 13:55

this video is really good, is a really simple way of doing it and shows you what xactly to do with your hands

foofi · 09/10/2007 13:56

Like singyswife, I find it easy to do french plaits as I used to do my own. I use my thumbs to pull back the extra bit of hair each time if that helps! Don't know what the fishtail one is though!

Boredveryverybored · 09/10/2007 13:57

I can do fishtail plaits Pinkbubble, they are very easy.

you need to get the hair ready as if you were going to do a normal simple plait. It might be easier if you put a bobble at the top so you are starting with a ponytail.

Then split the hair in two pieces instead of three, you then pull a very small section from one side and pass it over to the other, then do the same on the other side.

and just keep passing small bits from side to side

It looks great when its done! and people always think its really complicated lol

PrettyCandles · 09/10/2007 14:02

Hey that's fantastic, Bored! I couldn't picture what you meant, so I had a go on dd's hair. It is so easy and does look ever so nice. I shall add this to her repertoire of schoolday hairstyles. Thanks!

Boredveryverybored · 09/10/2007 14:07

Glad I could be of service PC
I knew all that playing with barbies would never be wasted! lol

singyswife · 09/10/2007 14:32

HI, do you collect the hair with the original piece as you are going like a french pleat, I like the look of this one.

Boredveryverybored · 09/10/2007 14:42

Do you mean for a fishtail singyswife?

singyswife · 09/10/2007 14:46

yes please

RubyRioja · 09/10/2007 14:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Boredveryverybored · 09/10/2007 14:59

Sorry I wasn't sure. You only have two pieces of hair and you pass over small sections from one to the other.
So you break off a small bit from the left side and pass it over to add to the section on the right, then take section from right side and pass over to add it to the left etc etc

hth

colditz · 09/10/2007 15:01

I have 2 boys and am excellent at French Plaits.

I am wasted I tell you.

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