“I want to learn how to make a wig, do you have any pointers?”
Quite a few folks have asked about how to make a wig and although not professional wig makers, we certainly have first-hand experience of making wigs for personal use and so we’ve put together two methods: there’s a no-sew method on this page and a sewing method that will be up on the site shortly. Both methods outlined are personal favourites and hopefully you can use them as pointers in your pursuit of making your own wigs.
How To Make A Wig: Stocking Cap & No Sewing Required
If you like to live on the proverbial easy street then when making your own wig, there’s nothing easier than using a stocking cap – no need to measure your head just find your own size in a stocking cap and if the cap fits….wear it (couldn’t resist, soz).
As this wig is made using glue, it should be made with the use of a plastic or polystyrene (Styrofoam) mannequin head.
Tools for making your own wig
You can use any texture hair for your own DIY wig.
Hair wefts- about three bundles should suffice (usually 100g per bundle) and you can either choose one length if you want to achieve a gradual layered look, or several different lengths to keep the overall length more consistent.
This guide uses 18″, 16″ and 14″ lengths.
Lace Closure (optional)
Stocking Cap (or elasticated wig cap)
Bonding Glue
Bonding Glue Remover (we all make mistakes, so just in case)
Scissors
Polystyrene (Styrofoam) or mannequin head
Pearl headed pins (optional but really helpful)
How To Make A Wig: Non-Sewing Method
Top Tips:
If this is the first time you’re researching into how to make a wig, then have a quick look through all of the images first to get a sense of the overall pattern of laying tracks (gluing rows of hair wefts).
If you’re unsure about how it will look, then use the pearl headed pins to pin the wefts in place first before you glue them.
Step 1a
Place the stocking cap on the polystyrene head and starting from the nape area glue five rows wefts quite closely together – this will ensure that your home made wig will have more volume (higher density) of hair at the back of your head when you wear it
Step 1b
Leave slightly more space between the following rows and attach each row in an ear-to-ear pattern around the back of the head (do not attach the tracks over the top of the head) as eventually you should
Step 2a & 2b
If aiming for a layered look, use the shorter length of hair weft once the longer length has run out (try to make sure you complete an entire row (track) with the same length of hair)
Keep gluing the hair wefts in rows in the U-shape until your rows reach about 2cm above the temple area
Step 3a
For this step (3a), you will not work from one temple around the back of the head to the other temple. The pink lines show how the wefts should be attached.
Mark out the crown of the wig which is usually two – three inches from the front hairline (use a marker or pear headed pin).
Attach two or three more rows of wefts to the curve only of the U-shape of the wefts and not from temple to temple . You should now have a shorter u-shape when looking down at the crown of the wig.
These three rows of wefts add volume (density) to the back of the wig.
Step 3b
If three different lengths of hair, use the shortest length of hair weave and attach it from temple to temple around the back of the head
Step 4a
Turn the mannequin the front of the mannequin towards you. Starting at the front hairline of the wig (where a fringe (bangs) would be), attach three or four wefts closely together working towards the crown mark at the top of the wig
When step 4a is completed you should have a circular shape left on the top of stocking cap
Step 4b
Using Lace Closure: Attach the hair weave in a circular pattern (rounds) and make sure the circular rows (rounds) of hair weave are close together so that there is fullness at the top of the wig. Keep attaching the hair weave in rounds until there is just enough room to attach the lace closure piece.
Step 5a
There should be a small circular area on the wig cap that doesn’t have any hair attached. Make sure your lace closure will cover the whole of this open area.
Step 5b
Cut off the excess lace from the lace closure. Apply a thin layer of glue onto the base of the lace closure piece and to the small opening on the cap. Attach the lace closure piece to the small opening.
Step 6a
Finger comb curly hair (use a large tooth comb for straight hair) and create a parting of your choice (side or middle) – alternatively leave it without a parting.
Step 6b (optional)
If you want the hair to frame your face then trim the fringe at an angle.
