How to Make Colonial Wigs

If you're making a costume, putting on a play or trying to get your kids history project perfect, you might need to know how to make a colonial wig. Wigs worn by men and women in colonial times were just as much a fashion statement then as leggings are now. Likewise, there were several styles, and the wig itself was a mark of status. So, if you're recreating the era, it's important to include that detail, and it's not hard to learn how.

Things You'll Need

• Picture of colonial wig
• Fake or real hair, can be from a wiglet
• Heavy hair netting
• Tape in the hair color
• Rigeline boning
• Thread matching hair color
• Wig comb
• T Pins and hair pins
• Elastic
• Ribbon
• Head Form

Instructions

1. Take the netting and pin it loosely to the head form. Stitch in a few tucks to make it form a loose cape. Keep in mind that Colonial Wigs were long so this should be longer so it can hang down some. It should also be long to start--you can always cut it if it's too long later.

2. Fit the wig. If you are making the wig for a specific person, you'll want to put the netted cap on his head to make sure it fits right. Make a mark on the wig where you want the hairline to begin and end. Then add an inch to those measurements to ensure that you'll have room, and that there will no problems if shrinkage occurs. Then cut the netting.

3. Sew the tape all around the edges of the cap. Now, sew two strips of rigeline boning into the netting around the sideburn area to hold it in place and two strips into the back to hold it in place. Once that's complete, you can start sewing the hair in. Start at the bottom and work your way up, but don't do it so that it's too full or it will look unrealistic, or your king will look like a pompous footman. Instead start at the bottom, go across and then go up, taking into account that a good portion of it will be curled, so it won't look as sparse once it's complete.

4. Brush and curl the wig. Typically, colonial wigs had tight curls that may need to be pinned to stay in place. Try on the performer or the person who will be wearing it to see how it fits, and if it needs adjusting. If it needs to be held in place, adjust it.

5. Add the elastic to hold everything in place, and add the comb so it will stay in the wearer's hair.

6. Make sure the curls are all the way they should be. Spray them in, pin them in and make sure they will stay in firm and tight. Attach a ribbon--even for a man's colonial wig (your color choice, of course. It does not need to match the outfit, though it can).

Resources

• Colonial wig styles
• Colonial hair things
• Guide to Colonial wigs
• Make a Colonial wig