How to Make a Lace Wig Fast

Lace wigs have long been used in the performing arts.

Long used in the performing arts because of their realistic appearance, lace wigs were one of the best kept celebrity hair secrets. People with baldness and other types of medical hair loss also use lace wigs for coverage. Top of the line lace wigs woven from tiny strands of hair take weeks to construct and sell for thousands of dollars. Cheap imitations promise the celebrity look but are of poor quality. Homemade wigs that combine hair wefts with a lace closure allow you to enjoy the custom fit and durability of a high-end hairpiece without the hefty price tag.

Things You'll Need

• Mannequin head
• Pearl tipped dressmakers pins
• 2 packs of wefted hair
• Wig cap base
• Fabritac glue
• Nylon thread
• Curved needles
• Scissors
• Lace closure
• Small combs

Instructions

1. Place the cap base on the mannequin head and use dressmakers pins to secure it in place.

2. Measure and cut the hair weft in pieces to fit the width of the cap base. Hair wefts come in lengths that are usually several feet long and you may prefer not to cut them to preserve the integrity of the weft. Fold over the hair weft and pull it upward to attach the weft to the row above without cutting the weft. If you cut the weft, seal the cut end with a small drop of Fabritac glue.

3. Thread two curved needles with medium lengths of nylon thread in a color that matches your hair wefts. Stitch the wefted hair to the cap using blanket stitches beginning at the back in rows that are about 1/2 inch apart. Blanket stitches are key to a durable handmade wig because they hold in place without loosening and sagging over the long term. Secure the ends of each row with knots. Clip ends and pull them to the inside of the cap.

4. Place the closure on the front center of the cap base and mark around it using loose back stitch. Then set the closure aside. Continue sewing the weft hair to the cap base in "u-shaped" rows about 1/4 inch apart until you reach the marked out closure area.

5. Fold under the lace fabric in front of the closure and stitch it in place underneath the closure using medium size overcast stitch. Sew the closure to the marked out area with small over cast stitches. Remove the wig from the mannequin head, flip it inside out and carefully cut out the cap fabric underneath of the closure. Pull remaining knots and threads to the underside of the cap and clip them for neatness.

6. Sew the combs into the temple area of the front underside of the wig.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy your lace closure from the same vendor where you purchased your weft hair. This is the best way to get a closure that matches. If your vendor does not have a match, ask stylist who specializes in weaving and wig making to recommend an alternative source. For a finished look, take your wig to a professional stylist to have it cut and styled.

• Wig making suppliers sell cap bases in small, medium and large sizes and generally provide instructions on how to measure your head. Don't begin sewing your project until you know you have the right cap. If you're unsure about sizes, contact the supplier. Try your wig on several times as you construct it to make sure that it fits.

References

• MHRW International: Lace Front Wig Example
• Threads: How to do a Blanket Stitch
• Alternative Windows: Learn to Sew a Variety of Stitches

Resources

• Makeup-FX: An Introduction to Wigmaking
• Amid Beauty: Hair Additions
• Hand Sewing Stiches