Big plaits - any advice?

[Burnttoast]

How are these looking? First attempt at big ones! I need to thin his mane a bit in the midsection of his neck but it's about six inches long - does this sound about right? Any tips for improving them? Cheers :-D

 

[YardGeek]

They look awesome!
I get the best results from sewing them in straight through the middle of the "ball" of the plait to really push them up into the "hood".

 

[Burnttoast]

Thanks! Do you roll or fold? These are folded and sewn through the middle bottom to top. I'm used to doing tight little eventer plaits, these are a bit of a culture shock!

 

[YardGeek]

I fold in half and then roll up if that makes sense, as it means I can really push them up into the crest and keep them tight

 

[Burnttoast]

Cheers! Will practice again in the week and take a bit out of his mane, think that will help them all look the same. Anal, moi?!

 

[xgemmax]

They look great really smart horse!

 

[AmyMay]

Fantastic job!

 

[ihatework]

They look very smart. Really suit your horse

 

[Burnttoast]

Thanks guys. Good news, as I really should be working, not playing with ponies He is a smart boy but not mine, alas. A week ago he had two feet of straggly mane because he was still trying to be a Friesian, but we've given up the unequal struggle and lopped off what hair he did manage to produce. He looks better like this I think. Still canters like a Friesian tho...

 

[AmyMay]

Still canters like a Friesian tho...

So does Totilas

 

[Burnttoast]

Lol! Not sure that'd cheer his owner up!

 

[Ellie2893]

How are these looking? First attempt at big ones! I need to thin his mane a bit in the midsection of his neck but it's about six inches long - does this sound about right? Any tips for improving them? Cheers :-D

Question.... How do you do these!! They look amazing!

 

[LoveFred]

Look great! Wish my plaits looked as good as that haha

 

[Burnttoast]

Ellie - start with longish not too thick mane (his is 6 inches and a bit too thick in places). These are 1.5 mane combs wide, so I get 7 on his neck. I did the first two or three crossovers loose - no tension at all - then the rest of the plait tight. Stitch end of plait, fold up, stitch down length, fold up again, stitch through top to bottom a few times, then give the hood a bit of a 'poof' to get it to stand up. Will be doing them for a Katie Jerram clinic in Jan so they'd better be perfect by then!

 

[WildRider]

Ellie - start with longish not too thick mane (his is 6 inches and a bit too thick in places). These are 1.5 mane combs wide, so I get 7 on his neck. I did the first two or three crossovers loose - no tension at all - then the rest of the plait tight. Stitch end of plait, fold up, stitch down length, fold up again, stitch through top to bottom a few times, then give the hood a bit of a 'poof' to get it to stand up. Will be doing them for a Katie Jerram clinic in Jan so they'd better be perfect by then!

How long is longish haha?

 

[cobden]

OP says longish is 6 inches. They look fantastic, I'm quite inspired to try them on mine - her mane is fairly long but not too thick but I was thinking it would have to be quite a bit shorter for decent plaits - maybe not !

 

[WildRider]

OP says longish is 6 inches. They look fantastic, I'm quite inspired to try them on mine - her mane is fairly long but not too thick but I was thinking it would have to be quite a bit shorter for decent plaits - maybe not !

Thanks Cobden! Never seem to get Rocky's plaits looking right no matter what length/width so will give 6x6 a try!