How to Weave a Wig

Sew your own wigs for a tailored fit.

Wigs allow you to add versatility to your look without permanently changing the length, color or texture of your hair. However, because wigs are mass-produced for sale to a large consumer market, finding a wig that fits your style as well as the shape of your face and head can be a challenge. Learning to make your own wigs using the sew-in extension technique allows you to tailor the shape and size of your wigs to fit you perfectly.

Things You'll Need

• Weaving cap
• Rubber band
• Styrofoam head
• Pins
• Scissors
• Cotton lace wig liner
• Weaving needle
• Thread that matches color of extensions
• Wefted hair extensions

Instructions

1. Smooth your hair back into a low bun. Make sure your hair is as flat a possible. Place the weaving cap on your head where you will want the wig positioned. Pull the excess material at the top of the weaving cap and secure it with a rubber band. Remove the cap.

2. Place the weaving cap on the Styrofoam head. Secure it to the head around the edges of the cap using pins. Cut the excess material from the weaving cap just above the rubber band. This should leave a hole at the top of the cap. Thread your weaving needle and use it to stitch the top of the cap back together. Now the weave cap is customized to fit your head.

3. Place wet cotton lace over the weaving cap. Cut the lace to fit the weave cap and secure it by sewing it down around the edges. Choose lace that matches the color of your scalp if you will style your wig with a part.

4. Take the wefted extension hair from the pack and unfold it. Poke the needle through the end of the weft and pull through until you reach the knotted end of the thread. Pass the needle under the base of the weaving cap and pull it through until the weft is against the cap and the thread is taut. Poke the needle through the weft of the track again and pass it under the base of the cap. Pull the needle until the thread is taut. Continue stitching this way until the weft is sewn completely across the base of the cap. Knot the thread and cut the excess weft. Sew additional rows from left to right until you reach the level where your ears would be, leaving about 1/2 inch between each row. If you do not have a measuring tape, leave a space the width of your pinkie finger.

5. At ear level, sew the track all the way around the cap in a full circle. Make sure the weft is lined with edge of the weaving cap in the front of the Styrofoam head. Knot the end securely and cut off the excess hair.

6. Continuing sewing the wefted extensions to the cap in rows no more than 1/2 inch apart until you reach the crown of the head and there is no more than a thumb sized "O" left uncovered. Make sure you knot the ends of the wefts to secure them to cap at the end of each row.

7. To close the weave, sew the two sides of the "O" together and close in the gap like you did with the original weaving cap. Knot and cut the thread.

8. Check the weave for gaps or spaces that can be filled by adding an additional weft. Pin the rows above these spaces up using a hair clip and fill the gaps by sewing in additional pieces.

9. Cut and style the wig as desired.

References

• YouTube; How to Make a Wig/How to Do a Sew-In Cap Weave; August 2008
• YouTube; How to Sew on a Track Hair Extensions; February 2009
• Makeup FX; An Introduction to Wigmaking; Lars Carrlson