Braid Serendipity

[Madora]

The weather is great today so I thought I'd get my "Braid Serendipity" workin' with a variation on my multibraid "Braids Galore" style.

Here's the result:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=6554&pictureid=107508

[Spring]

I love the braid in your avi and the braid of braids :)!

[yukinohana]

Wow, that's beautiful!

[Macaroni]

So pretty!

[lacefrost]

That's gorgeous, Madora!

[SheaLynne]

Very pretty!!

[Toiréasa]

very cool, I can't wait till me hair is long enough to do such a beautiful braid.

[Angela_Rose]

Oh my goodness! Inspiring and lovely. Thank you for sharing.

[xoerincolleen]

Ooh, that is so pretty!

[Fairlight63]

So PRETTY!!

[ArienEllariel]

beautiful! I want to try this when I have a bit more length.

[Gumball]

Nice job, Madora! Your serendipity sure paid dividends. :thumbsup: I think it looks great!

[spidermom]

I like it a lot.

[Arya]

Wow!! Looks amazing! You're so original with your braided buns!

[Helix]

That is stunning! You've got skills.

[Madora]

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words! I love braiding!

[Slinks]

what they all said .. amazing hair talent :-)

[Lunnafindel]

Fantastic! I've got to try that...someday when I have a LOT of time :)

[Lostsoule77]

That is beautiful! I think my arms would get tired. :)

[Sundial]

That sounds easy yet it looks complicated :thumbsup: did you use any elastics to tie off the braids and how many did you use?

[Kosmos]

I can't wait till my hair is long enough that I can try something like this. (Not to mention my braiding skills...)

[HairStickler]

That is really beautiful!

[Madora]

@Sundial...

Yes, I used 9 tiny black elastics at the end of each mini braid.

[darklion]

It looks quite elegant.
A lovely hairstyle!

[skraprchik]

Very pretty!

[Ishje]

that is gorgeous!

[Alaia]

:bigeyes:

That's Braiding Skills!! Lovely.

[Pumpkin]

I love it!! Very pretty!

[MissCoco]

Oh wow Madora, you never cease to amaze me with your braiding skills! My arms would fall off before I could finish this!!

[Madora]

Thank you, Slinks, Lunnafindel, Lostsoule77, Sundial, Kosmos, Hairstickler, darklion, skraprchik, Ishje, Alaia, and Pumpkin!

@MissCoco...the hardest part is the center French Dutch braid. Getting the sections "just so" and then picking them up (I have issues with feeling in my fingers at times so French braiding is sometimes a "catch as catch can" proposition).

What you do is simple French "Dutch" braid down the center until you hit the nape.

Then you band all the hair with a soft scrunchie (to temporarily hold it in place.

Next you detangle the loose hair, then divide it into 9 sections. Each section is braided BUT for each mini braid I only need to really exert my arm/shoulder muscles when doing the first 2 or 3 crossovers. After those are done, I then bring the braid over my shoulder where it is much easier to braid.

The entire style took about 45 minutes (I have to "take breaks" when doing each braid (my pinkies cramp because of my connective tissue disorder) and my ocupational therapy doctor warned me not to do too much braiding w/o taking "breathers" and really stretching my hands...consequently, braiding something as time consuming as those 9 braids takes a lot longer!)

Once all the braids have been fastened off, I removed the scrunchie holding the braids at the nape. Then I gently twisted all the braids in the same direction, then brought them up and around the French 'Dutch' braid, pinning them with 3 inch crimped hairpins, then tucking in the ends.

The secret to pulling this style off is to braid each mini braid as loosely as possible. You want a LOT of flexibility in each mini braid so that when you twist the braids up and around, they have plenty of "give" and you don't have to battle against tightness.

[Sundial]

Yay! Thanks for the breakdown Madora! I like how you gave tips like securing with a scrunchie temporarily, I was confused that's why I asked about the number ot elastics you used!

I was inspired by you and actually took the time to do 2 lace braids along the sides of my head ending in a regular English braid but it was wash day today so my hair was too slippery - the elastic fell off after half the day without me noticing so i couldnt get a picture of it. I'm always procrastinating when it comes to braiding and I keep telling myself to rely less on hair toys and more on braiding, so I'm glad this thread of yours got me out of the rut.

I will want to try this since it sounds like I may have enough length for it

[khan]

Oooooooh; pretty, pretty, pretty. I'm going to have to start a list so I can remember different styles. Tomorrow the Braid Serendipity!

[ttverdy]

Very lovely!

[MissCoco]

Thank you, Slinks, Lunnafindel, Lostsoule77, Sundial, Kosmos, Hairstickler, darklion, skraprchik, Ishje, Alaia, and Pumpkin!

@MissCoco...the hardest part is the center French Dutch braid. Getting the sections "just so" and then picking them up (I have issues with feeling in my fingers at times so French braiding is sometimes a "catch as catch can" proposition).

What you do is simple French "Dutch" braid down the center until you hit the nape.

Then you band all the hair with a soft scrunchie (to temporarily hold it in place.

Next you detangle the loose hair, then divide it into 9 sections. Each section is braided BUT for each mini braid I only need to really exert my arm/shoulder muscles when doing the first 2 or 3 crossovers. After those are done, I then bring the braid over my shoulder where it is much easier to braid.

The entire style took about 45 minutes (I have to "take breaks" when doing each braid (my pinkies cramp because of my connective tissue disorder) and my ocupational therapy doctor warned me not to do too much braiding w/o taking "breathers" and really stretching my hands...consequently, braiding something as time consuming as those 9 braids takes a lot longer!)

Once all the braids have been fastened off, I removed the scrunchie holding the braids at the nape. Then I gently twisted all the braids in the same direction, then brought them up and around the French 'Dutch' braid, pinning them with 3 inch crimped hairpins, then tucking in the ends.

The secret to pulling this style off is to braid each mini braid as loosely as possible. You want a LOT of flexibility in each mini braid so that when you twist the braids up and around, they have plenty of "give" and you don't have to battle against tightness.

Thank you for the lengthy, clearly written explanation, Madora! I'll have to make an attempt at this once my hair has reached a longer length...

[hypersensitive]

^ I think that explanation will help me. This is a really gorgeous style, Madora! I will try it tomorrow! (And hoping I have enough length for it!)