I learned this technique way back like 2-3 years ago. But due to national service,i've little room to practise and the technique was forgotten altogether.I only roughly remember the process.

You use the curve tool(ep i think,under dynamics) to create your desired pattern(let's say a strand of hair).
You create a plane(can't remember whether it was a surface or polygon) and snap the edge? to the tip of the curve.
You then add subdivisions by increasing the number of subdivisions under the properties bar.The mesh would then follow the curve.The more subdivisions there are,the more it would become congruent with the curve.