webassets/DSC07458.JPG

Anyone who had ever made an OOAK doll knows how hard it is to make pretty lashes. These are two methods I use to do my lashes. They are admitted not perfect methods but they are pretty easy to do and look really nice on the dolls.

Eyelash tut #1 using feathers. This is for very small dolls. The feather lashes are fine and will look to small on a doll over 6" You can add lashes to dolls as small as 2 inches with this method.

webassets/lashestut.jpg

The lashes are perfectly spaced and fine enough not to look like out of scale on the finished piece. I have seen dolls with lashes that are so thick they look like thread because the scale is off. Just like fabric patterns you need to think about scale when choosing the lashes for your doll if a realistic look is what you are going for.

 

Enter content here

Lashes Tut #2 Using Tibetan fur

  Eyelashes for your OOAK dolls. This is another method I like for making evenly spaced lashes without having to add one lash at a time. Which depending on the adhesive you are using can be very difficult.

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

I use one lock of Tibetan lambs fur the straight end which is closest to the pelt.  You can use a hair straightener on the hair first but for demonstration in this tut I just used the piece cut from the hide. Use the straight top end closest to the root. For now don't cut off the curly part.  It will get cut off later.

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

Using a thin dispenser cap on my my bottle  of FABRI-TAC or syringe I lay down a thin line of glue on a sheet of computer transparency paper(this allows for easy release from the surface later).

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

Take the hair and spread it out on the glue line(fabri-tac or tacky glue)Place the straight end of the hair so that about a half inch of hair is on one side of the glue line and the rest is on the other. This line will become your track later.

Use a sewing needle,  spread the hairs out so there is a single flat layer the hairs two needles is even better. You need to work quickly as the glue dries pretty fast.  They should be touching but not overlaping where ever possible and all laying lined up in the same direction. Then press them firmly into the glue. Try not add more glue as the thicker the glue the more likely it will show and ruin the effect. Work quickly so your glue is still tacky.

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

BE PATIENT..... My demonstration picture is what your first set will probubly look like. You can thin the glue with acetone and with practice get the lashes to lay flatter and look perfect. Most important step now is to let the glue dry. It is very important that you don't try to remove the track from the transparency paper to soon. When the glue is dry, take a clamp or other flat tweezer type tool that has at least one inch of surface that touches when closed. You can trim the lashes slightly if desired. Grab the entire inch of lash at one time(as close to the glue line as posible) with the clamp across the length of it. and gently peel it off the transparency sheet.

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

Life up one side of the lashes and use your nail or a blade to lift the glue free of the sheet. Be careful you want this to remain one piece

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

Once you have it loose, release it from the clamp(the clamp shoul never be pressing on the glue) and let the glue settle again before using. It will remain flexible. I did these quickly and without much time spent to seperate the lashes and line them up in nice rows, so I would have time to take these pictures. The pictures do not look smooth and straight but yours will. Make sure you spent time laying the lashes as straight as you can. If you have unruley hairs that are frizzy or just curl funny pull them back out, trim them off or start over. Better to waste an inch of hair and make another set then put crocked lashes on the doll. This takes a little patience but is not difficult and with practice will have your dolls wearing lifelike lashes in no time.

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

Next step is to turn this into two strips of lashes. CAREFULLY cut down the center of the glue line. The back side of the track will be easier to see as it is dull, carefully cut exactly down the middle so you will have two full strips of lashes. Trim off any excess glue and use your pin to fluff the lashes. DO NOT TRIM THE LENGTH UNTIL AFTER THE GLUE IS DRY.

This is before trimming the lashes

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

 Apply a small amount of Aleenes tacky glue to the underside of your upper eye lid and then insert the lashes into the glue and using an EXACTO blade, carefully continue to press the lashes into place. You can add more glue if needed. It dries clear so no worries. AGAIN DO NOT TRIM LASHES UNTIl GLUE IS DRY.

webassets/DSC07452.JPG

NOW that the glue is dry, LOL shorten the lashes to about a 1/4" or slightly longer. This gives a very natural lash look. Repeat for lower lashes but only use 1/4 to 1/2 of the lash line. on these small dolls it looks strange if they cover the entire lower lid. I used Gallery glass on this dolls eyes and it isn't dry yet in the picture, but the eyes come out crystal clear and with a gorgeous set of lashes.
NOTE: To keep the lashes from being to thick put time into spreading them out when your making the lash track. You can also use tacky glue instead of fabric tack but the dry time is much longer. But stread them out so they are in a single layerand as flat as you can get them. If you just let them glob together on the glue they will look that way on the doll.