Tips on how to Sew Plaits??

[doratheexplorer]

Hello,

I have been offered a really exciting job for my work placement as part of my uni course from May - September this year. It has been suggested that I learn how to sew plaits in, now I started this summer having never plaitted a horse, and ended feeling pretty confident, doing a whole neck in maybe 30mins, and I enjoy the fiddliness!!

I am planning on practicing on my boy, but and hints and tips would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!!

Pasta and red pesto for lunch!!

 

[DollyDolls]

I am not the worlds best at sewing plaits, but here is how I do mine.

1. Divide the mane into an odd number of sections and use little elastic bands to keep apart. The bands are later discarded, I think they make a plait look bulky.

2. Take one section at a time, use plaiting gel (it makes so much difference) & then do your plait. Either plait upwards away from the neck or downwards depending on what you are looking to achieve.

3. Take a needle with thread (use a blunt ended needle from a specialist sewing shop, not those cheap ones you get from the tack shop). Hold the end of the thread with the end of the plait, & wrap the thread round about twice should do.

4. Tie off the wrap at the bottom by putting the needle through the plait just above the wrapped thread bottom. This stops it from undoing and should your horse shake his head, the hard work is not lost.

5. Roll your plait (I dont fold, but others do). the thread should stick out one side and then when you have the plait in perfect position use the needle to go front to back on the roll until it wont undo & all the "bun" looks even.

6. I do a quick knot by passing the thread through itself a few times to tie off (as you may have been taught at school in sewing classes), then cut thread.

7. Repeat & admire!

 

[Luci07]

Just to add - I actually bought a plaiting apron to stop me having to fish around for everything. I also section off the mane first, using the teeth on a pulling comb to measure and make sure all the "partings" are straight. I also do all my plaits first and secure with a band, then go back and sew. On my boy atm I can get away with using the band and sewing but he is ISH. I couldn't do it on my TB x mare who had a very very fine mane.

As for the positioning - I plait mine tightly and push up to give the impression of a larger crest.

 

[Sarah2207]

Good advice so far! Just to add that when doing the plait, I incorporate the thread into one of the three strands and still secure as DD says, just think it keeps them more secure, especially if plaiting the night before!

 

[DollyDolls]

Forgot....

8. Remove plaits with a "quick unpick" from a sewing shop. It's hassle free and you cut just the thread rather than half the mane!

 

[pinktiger]

I found this when i was looking to do the bigger plaits on my horses thin neck, hope it helps she makes it look very easy but im sure her years of doing it help her, and good to see how she does it with her horse fidgeting(sp)!!! helped me loads, is brilliant!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnPrEm-GyTM

 

[camilla4]

Thread all your needles, plus a few spares, before you start plaiting. For competitions, I do this the night before.

 

[imr]

My tip is actually not to sew the first part, in other words plait the plait and finish it with a band, ensuring very little hair protrudes from the bottom of the band. Then take your thread, needle etc and tie a big (double or triple) knot in the thread and then push the needle through the band from top of band to bottom so the knot in the thread is held by the band. Then push the needle up through the bottom of the plait base so you have a loopy plait, stich it so its secure then fold plait and stitch that. Easier than pure stitching, good staying power and look neat too.

 

[eckles]

All good advice above,

MY eventer has a long, thin mane (can't bear to pull it, but 'tis acceptable for a morgan anyway I tell myself ) ). Bands look awfully bulky and tend to fall out so I always sew.

My tip is to thread the needle to half way along your thread, and tie the 2 ends together so you're sewing with a double length (in a loop) - no need for knots or wrapping the end: simply secure the end of the plait by passing both threads underneath and threading the needle between the two strands on the way back up and pull tight (rubbish explanation, sorry!). Roll, keeping the thread to one side (or fold if you like) then push the needle up through the diameter of the roll and back down again. You can cut off here, but usually go back up through because it's easier to see what you're doing in the light above the mane!

I find I only need to pass the needle twice through the roll (once and back) to secure this way (no knots) due to the extra grip you get from the two strands. Way quicker than fighting bands and looks so much nicer IMO. Takes a bit longer to remove though

 

[jennygw]

Hiya - all very good advice given!

I plait down tight & band into place. Then, double knot the thread, double fold the plait up - this depends on your mane length, but I know how long my manes all are! Then, just go from underneath & sew through up and down through the plait without going round & round. Looks much neater & holds really tight. Then just snip off under the plait, without knotting.
Then when you have to cut them out, you can just turn the plait over & release it all with just one snip!
I used to be rubbish at it, but event groom now at a very high level & they're good enough plaits for that!!! x

 

[ArcticFox]

you could always go for a very unusual look if you fancy a change!

This plait means you don't have to pull their mane, it works much better with a longer mane



I was always taught that if you are the person plaiting the horse, it has to be you who takes them out as you know what you have done and are less likely to cut half the mane away

 

[Bettyboo222]

you could always go for a very unusual look if you fancy a change!

How have you done that ?

 

[ArcticFox]

divide the mane as usual - better for smaller bunches so they are closer together

No sewing involved just bands. I plait each bunch, fold the very end of the hairs over and band it. i do the whole neck before the final steps!

on the first plait, fold over to create a bobble and some plait left over, then band the fold.

take the next plait, fold as above only this time, take the previous plait leftover and push the end of it into the fold of the plait, band this and continue.

basically each plait end is in the fold of the next plait along.

does that make sense?

Cx

 

[Bettyboo222]

worked it out I might have to attempt to sew it in though

 

[algeredge]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread but does anyone have any tips for how best to protect the plaits if doing them the night before? My boy usually ends up with hay and hair sticking out of them the next morning!!

 

[ArcticFox]

snuggie hoods always worked for me.

otherwise, just put the mane into bunches and plait them but don't roll up until the morning of the show.

 

[doratheexplorer]

Thank you all so much for the great advice! I will get the required equipment and start practising on my boy!!

 

[Tnavas]

To tidy up the ends of the plait, hold where you have just secured the plait end and twist the whispy bits until they turn back on themselves, secure them in the same way you secured in the tread. Bring the needle through the loop up into the base of the plait and carry on as others have described.

To keep the plait tight pull out and up rather than down.

Go to the saddlers and ask for Quilting needles - I still have mine that are now 30 odd years old, keep in a soap box with some flannel in it soaked in light sewing machine oil. If they go rusty then sand with fine emery paper to remove the rust.

I still find Hair spray the easiest to use for getting plaits neat. Damp mane and then spray each section just before you start to plait, use your thumbs to smooth the hairs in. Having the mane damp stops the spray from setting to quickly.

After you've finished plaiting, lay a damp towel over the plaits and put on a skinny hood. this will flatten all the stray hairs and keep the plaits neat.

HAve a Quick unpick for removing plaits, works on stitches and plaiting bands.

I use a dog comb for sectioning plaits - it lies all the hairs neatly.

When you split the mane for plaiting use the comb in the same way you would use the comb for a parting in your own hair.

Plaiting upwards places the plaits on top of the neck, plaiting outwards lies them just on the neck line, plaiting downards places the plaits below the neckline.

For a thick neck keep plaits below neckline. For a skinny neck place plaits on top. For a short neck do more small plaits and for a long neck make the plaits bigger.

 

[Tnavas]

Lay a damp towel over the plaits and put on a skinny hood. Lays the plaits really flat & tidy.

 

[gingerthing]

I use a lycra hood to keep plaits intact - and lots of hair spray! Another tip is get a pair of old tights and cut the feet & waist off, just slide it over the neck

 

[CrazyMare]

Setting lotion is cheap, easy to get and helps plaits set like rock.

Keep the plait as tight as possibly when plaiting down.

Start with a mane that is a good length and thickness - some horses suit more than others.

 

[Whisky]

Re keeping the plaits in overnight, I use a cotton hood with an old silk shirt sewn inside along the top so that it runs over the plaits smoothly and doesn't pull. Horse goes out in the field in it and they are fine.

To save time, I wouldn't bother sectioning the mane before you start - it's easy enough to keep them the same size and judge the end as you get there if you've had a bit of practice - particularly if you know the mane and the neck!

 

[seeingdouble]

when putting the mane into sections, i use the tiny hair clips/clamps for each setcion.
mine are similar to http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-x-MINI-HAI...tches_CostumeJewellery_CA&hash=item53e44df9cd

Also, i've seen quite a few people who plait up the night before do this to keep them neat.
Cut a leg from a pair of tights, place down the neck over the plaits. Simply use a plaiting band to go over the tights over each plait.
In the morning, remove bands/tight leg and hey presto - neat plaits without bits of hay/shavings in etc. It also stops the plaits for possibly being squashed by a neck cover/hood.

 

[doratheexplorer]

I'm loving the idea of a tight leg, I will definitely be using that for mine!! Thank you for all the ideas and tips. Really helpful!!