How to make a cosplay wig from scratch?

Materials Needed

• Acrylic Yarn: 100% acrylic yarn is recommended for its affordability and availability in various colors.
• Weaving Cap: A fishnet wig cap or a durable, adjustable weaving cap.
• Thread: Matching the color of your yarn.
• Thin Craft Wire: For structure and support.
• Brush: A wire pet brush works best.
• Hairspray: For styling and setting the wig.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn and trimming the wig.
• Flat Iron: For straightening yarn fibers.
• Foam Head: To hold your wig while you work on it.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Making the Wefts

Cutting the Yarn

• Cut the yarn into equal lengths. To do this quickly, wrap the yarn around a book or a piece of cardboard and cut through the bundle.
• Tie each piece of yarn in the middle around another piece to create a long weft.

Brushing the Wefts

• Hold one end of the weft and gently brush the other end until the fibers separate and become fluffy. This process mimics the texture of natural hair.

2. Straightening the Wefts

• Use a flat iron on the lowest setting to straighten the wefts. This step is crucial for achieving a natural look and making the yarn easier to work with.

3. Preparing the Wig Cap

• Place the wig cap on a foam head. This will serve as the base for attaching the wefts.
• Secure the cap with pins to ensure it stays in place while you work.

4. Attaching the Wefts

Sewing the Wefts

• Start from the bottom of the cap and work your way up.
• Sew the wefts onto the cap using a needle and thread, ensuring each row overlaps slightly to cover the cap completely.
• For added volume, you can double up the wefts in areas where more hair is needed.

5. Styling the Wig

Cutting and Shaping

• Once all the wefts are attached, trim the wig to achieve the desired length and style. Remember, you can always cut more, but you can't add length back, so trim gradually.
• Use reference images of your character to guide the cutting process.

Teasing for Volume

• To add volume, especially for characters with fluffy hairstyles, use a teasing comb or brush. Backcomb sections of the wig towards the roots to create a cushion of hair.
• Lightly spray each section with hairspray to hold the volume.

Heat Styling

• If your yarn is heat-resistant, you can use a flat iron or curling iron to style the wig further. Be cautious with the heat settings to avoid damaging the fibers.

Tips from CrazeCosplay.com

Choosing the Right Wig

• Ensure the wig matches your character's hair color, style, and length.
• Opt for high-quality synthetic fibers that mimic natural hair. Heat-resistant fibers are preferable for styling with heat tools.
• Choose between lace front wigs for a natural hairline or traditional wefted wigs for more volume.

Preparing Your Wig

• Clean the wig if it's new, as it might have a coating that needs to be washed off. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner designed for synthetic wigs.
• Detangle the wig using a wide-tooth comb, starting from the ends and working your way up.

Tools and Products Needed

• Wide-tooth comb
• Hairdryer with a cool setting
• Teasing comb or brush
• Hairspray (preferably one designed for synthetic hair)
• Wig stand or mannequin head
• Hair glue or styling gel

Teasing the Wig

• Divide the wig into small sections. Start from the bottom layers and work your way up.
• Hold a section of hair straight up and use a teasing comb to backcomb the hair towards the roots.
• Lightly spray each section with hairspray to hold the volume.

Advanced Techniques

Wig Stacking

• For characters with voluminous or extra-long hair, you may need to combine multiple wigs.
• Choose a base wig and one or more wigs for added length or volume.
• Secure the base wig to a wig head and cut wefts from the additional wigs to sew onto the base wig.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Frizzy or Static-y Wig

• Use a small amount of leave-in conditioner or wig detangler spray.
• Run a dryer sheet over the wig to reduce static.

Stubborn Tangles

• Work on small sections at a time, using a detangling spray if needed.
• For severe tangles, consider using a wig brush with metal bristles, being gentle to avoid damaging the wig.

Flattened Style

• Refresh the style using steam from a handheld garment steamer, being careful not to get the wig too wet.
• Restyle using the techniques mentioned earlier, focusing on problem areas.

Visible Wig Cap

• Use bobby pins that match your wig color to secure any gaps.
• Consider adding a few wefts or a lace front piece to create a more natural hairline.

Conclusion