If you are a wig wearer, you are probably tired of all the overpriced or low-quality options that are offered by the stores. You may be thinking to yourself “I wish I knew how to make a wig cap myself to get rid of all this trouble.” Well, look no further! The days of exhausting wig shopping are finally over! We will explain both how to make a wig cap at how and provide you a step by step guide on making braided wigs!
How to make a wig cap at home
Welcome to our braid wig making tutorial! Before we get to the braiding part, let’s begin with learning the process of creating a DIY wig cap:
Stage 1: Measuring
When making a wig cap, the most important thing to get right is the size. If it's too big or too small and it won’t look right no matter what you do.
Take a fabric tape measure and string it around your head at the hairline.
Tip: Here and in the next steps - don’t overpull the tape measure. It should be wrapped around flattened hair, but without any additional pressure involved.
- Measure the top-central part of your head
Place one point of the tape measure in the middle of your forehead, aligning it with the edge of your hairline. Now wrap the tape over the crown of the head and down to the place where your hairline ends.
- Measure from one ear to the other
Stage 2: Making the wig cap
- Apply the results of your measurements onto a mannequin head or a professional wig block.
Now it’s time to transfer the numbers into a draft of the perimeter of your head. Use either the tape measure again or a cotton lace cap that has the correct size of your head measurements and put it over the block. It won’t fit perfectly, but this way is easier than to apply pieces of lace manually.
- Hammer the cotton ribbon into the mannequin
Firstly, carefully align the ribbon to match the outline of your wig measurements perfectly. Now attach the ribbon to the block with tiny nails.
- Stitch cotton lace to the cotton ribbon
Spray a bit of water over the lace, to add a little wetness to it. Now carefully put the lace over the ribbon and sew them together.
Tip: The lace bands have to be the same length as the size of the crown of your head or maybe even longer. Try using bigger pieces, to have the lowest amount of elements possible.
- Put the wig cap on your head
Detach the nails and take the cap off the mannequin. Place it on your head and make sure that it’s the correct size. If something’s wrong, now is the time to perform any necessary improvements to the design. When you are happy with the final result, cut off any extra pieces of lace that may be sticking out of the cap.
Congratulations! Your wig cap is ready!
How to make braided wigs
READ ALSO: How to make a wig look natural?
DIY braid wigs are an excellent choice because of the creative freedom you get while designing your wig. This guide will take you through all the necessary steps of transforming your cap into a stylish braided wig.
Stage 1: Preparation
- Before you begin, make sure that you have all the following items available:
- Wig cap (either the one you made yourself or a store-bought one)
- Extra lace
- Braiding hair attachments
- Mannequin head or wig block
- Pins
- Scissors
- Large needles
- Hairbrush
- Some thread that matches your hair
This is a choice you can’t get around. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Basically, it all comes down to your personal preference. Real hair has a better look and has better heat and styling resistance. But it’s hard to restyle after it was washed and they are more easily bruised. Artificial wigs look unrealistic, but they are lighter and can sustain more damage.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended to use natural hair for an every-day wig, and its synthetic alternative for wigs that are meant to be worn only on special occasions.
- Prepare your braiding hair attachments
Get rid of all the tangled, curled or otherwise defective parts. If needed, cut the extensions in two or more pieces for different regions of your head, or just go by your preferred length.
Stage 2: Creating the wig
- Place your wig cap on the mannequin head and pin it to the surface.
- Cut out the part of the cap that you intend to use for closure. Put it in the place you want your closure to be and sew down. Get rid of the wig cap below that zone.
Tip: When choosing the lace that will be used for the closure, be sure to buy one that is the similar color to that of your skin.
- Start making the wig by inserting a tiny piece of the braid extension through the needle and then put it through the cap. Haul out one end of the extension and take away the needle. Now you have your first braided extension on the wig cap!
- Use that attachment as a foundation. Grab another extension and begin the braiding and twisting process.
- Repeat the previous two steps until your braid wig cap looks they you want it to.
- To attach braids to the closure, braid the hair on some thread and then tack in each piece to the closure.
Tip: You can also do this step instead of the 4th one for the entire wig. It may save you some time or give you a better look!
- Now it’s time to add the wig combs or elastic under the wig cap for preservation.
- Trim the hair or work around it with a lighter if you don’t have the patience but have the skill.
- Wash it, add some hair lotion and voila, your braid wig cap is ready for use!
Tip: To be sure that the braids are attached firmly, pull them a bit. Better one of the extensions falls off now, then when you’re outside.
Top 5 reasons why your braid wig doesn’t look natural
After you’ve finished making your wig, you may find that it doesn’t look the way it’s supposed to. Something just feels off, but you can’t put the finger on it. Luckily for you, we’ve also prepared a list of the Top 5 reasons why your braided cap doesn’t look right:
1. You should have used more hair.
It can’t get much worse than not having the right amount of hair available for your wig. It’s okay to try to save some money, but if you don’t invest into this part then what’s the point?
2. The wig cap wasn’t the right size.
As we stated during our cap-making tutorial, choosing the correct size is crucial for the wig to look good.
3. You shouldn’t have been in a hurry.
When we make stuff ourselves, we like to think that we can do it in the same amount of time as a professional can. But the harsh reality is that making a good braided wig takes time. Give yourself some room to breathe and don’t rush to the finish line. No one said that you have to complete your wig the same day you started making it.
4. The hair color you used doesn’t match yours.
5. Your expectations were too high.
This is a widespread mistake. Ever since we entered the era of Youtube videos, people started copying what various trendsetters have been doing. But the fact of the matter is that you can’t get the same look if you don’t invest into the same high-quality products and items.
Now you know how to make a braided wig cap and what mistakes to avoid. But be warned: creating your own wig cap is a hard task that demands a lot of time and patience. You probably won’t get the result you want the first or even the second time. But if you put your heart into it and don’t give up, you’ll be happy about the decision to do it yourself!
READ ALSO: Kinky braids hairstyles in Nigeria
Source: Naij.com
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 21 September 2017