How to Make a Mesh Base Wig

Mesh base wigs can be made to suit many hairstyles.

Making your own mesh base wig can be considerably cheaper than purchasing a professionally made one. Professional wig makers use cotton lace as a mesh base. Wig making dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who combined sheep's wool with human hair to make thicker hairpieces. Today, human and artificial hair -- or a combination of both -- are available to purchase in strands. The strands are most commonly run together in wefts, making it easier to apply them to a base.

Things You'll Need

• Fishnet stocking
• Styrofoam head
• Scissors
• Curved sewing needle
• Embroidery thread
• Wire
• T-pins
• Wefts of hair
• Bonding glue
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. 

   A curved needle helps make sewing easier.

   Place a fishnet stocking over the scalp area of a Styrofoam head to make a mesh base for your wig. Position it around the hair line like a conventional weaving cap. Cut away any excess material from the stocking with scissors so only the head is covered. Use a curved sewing needle and embroidery thread to sew the stocking into one piece with no large holes. Tie any loose threads from your sewing.

2. Weave a 3-inch length of wire back and forth between the holes in the mesh base at the back of head, near the nape of the neck. Weave two 2 1/2-inch wires through the front of the fishnet mesh base. Each should be positioned at the hairline from the point directly above center of each eye toward the temple. These wire supports will hold the mesh base in place when you wear it. Fold a little of the wire back upon itself at the ends of all three pieces so no sharp edges are present.

3. Position the Styrofoam head so you can work on it with both hands. Fix the mesh base in place by pushing a few T-pins through it and into the foam. Start pinning near the bottom of the base; you can move the pins toward the top of the head as you work on the wig.

4. Attach wefts of hair to the mesh base from the bottom. Measure one weft at time to the same length as the mesh in the position you want to apply it. To begin, use a weft for the nape of the neck, one over each ear and one more at the fringe. The four wefts should meet up so the whole of the hair line is covered. You can sew them in place, but beginners will find it easier to keep the wefts of hair in place with bonding glue.

5. Allow the glue to dry and add more wefts of hair to the mesh base. This time work up from the last position; the new wefts should hang down over the last ones. Continue to apply hair until the whole mesh base has been covered. Remember to reposition your T-pins as you work up. As you approach the top of the head, the pieces will become shorter and you will not have to use four separate wefts. Leave a small hole at the top of the mesh to replicate a natural hair crown.

6. Remove the T-pins from the Styrofoam head. Brush, cut and style the wig to suit your style. Place the wig on your head and tuck away any of your hair that is showing. Push the wire frames in place to get a good fit.

Tips & Warnings

• Use flexible wire that keeps its shape, like fuse wire, for your mesh base.

• Real hair and artificial wefts are available.

• Use a fishnet stocking with a high denier.

• Use a hair dryer to speed up the glue-drying process.

• Use embroidery thread, as it is hard wearing.

• Some bonding glues require you to wear protective gloves.

References

• Makeup-FX: An Introduction to Wig Making
• Stanford University; Wig: Brief History
• Stitch 'n Save: How to Make a Wig

Resources

• E-Wigs.com: The History of Wigs