In this article, I’m going to show the easiest ways to make your closure wig.
I’m Lori, and I know all about just how intimidating wig-making can be. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up with an unattractive, obvious, and messy wig.
Closures complete your look by giving you seamless, fuller hair that you can style easily without revealing that you’re wearing a wig.
I’ve spent years trying different ways to create closure wigs, and today, I’m going to take you through the two easiest methods I know, step by step.
Read on to find out how it’s done!
3 Best ways to make a Closure Wig
Here are my most recommended ways to make a closure wig.
Method 1: Starting from Scratch
I want to begin by showing you how to make a closure of your own. It’s not as difficult as it seems, I promise. Though it’s time-consuming, it saves you money on pre-made closure wigs.
You will need a few things to get started:
- Wig lace, trimmed to your desired size.
- Pins (preferably T-pins)
- A ventilating needle
- Unsewn hair
- A mannequin head
I like to gather everything I need before I start to save time and hassle later. I also want to note that if you’re going to build a full wig, you can use a wig cap and stitch your closure directly onto it. I’ll show you how in method 2!
Step 1: Position your wig lace on your mannequin head and use your pins to fix it in place. Make sure that the grain of the lace is flat, straight, and taut.
Step 2: Wrap some hair around your index finger on your non-dominant hand. This will make it easier to grab with the ventilating hook. Keep your finger as close to the lace as possible.
Step 3: Now the tricky part. On one side of your lace, push your ventilating needle through an eyelet in your lace, then hook it to a few strands of hair. Pull it back through the eyelet, but don’t thread it through yet.
Return the hook through the eyelet once more, grab more of the identical strands of hair, and thread it through to complete a knot. Repeat this with every eyelet, for as many rows as you like — remember to leave room for your part.
Step 4: Now do the same on the other side of your lace until you have complete closure. I find that it’s easier to work from the outside in. If need be, you can use a brush, roller, or clip to keep the sewn hair flat and out of the way.
I won’t lie to you, this method takes a long time to complete and uses a lot of trial and error, but it’s well worth it in the end. Don’t forget to take breaks — it can be quite strenuous on your fingers or wrists.
One more thing, standard closure wigs have a single row of eyelets as the part, but you could make yours wider if you like.
Method 2: Using a Wig Cap
Now to create a full wig with a closure. You can use one you made yourself or a pre-designed one. This is what you will need:
- A spandex wig cap
- T-pins
- A curve needle
- Nylon thread
- A marker
- Wefts of hair
Step 1: Stretch your wig cap over your mannequin head. Make sure that it is flat and that there aren’t any wrinkles on its surface. If you like, you can elongate the bottom of your wig cap and pin it down to mimic the natural shape of your nape.
Step 2: Place your closure wig on top of your cap. Position it so that its lace stretches about an inch further than the elastic of the cap. Use T-Pins to hold it in place. I like to pin down the corners first to ensure that it’s as taut as possible, preventing unnecessary creases.
Step 3: Tie up the hair, so that’s out of the way. Braiding makes it easier to clip or tie-down.
Step 4: Use your marker to draw tracks along your wig cap. Start at the bottom, just above the cap’s elastic. Space your tracks about an inch apart, to begin with, making sure that the last one is right next to the edge of your closure. This will ensure that your wig looks full and seamless.
Step 5: Begin sewing the wefts along the tracks you made. Here, you get a choice. You can double up your wefts or trim them for shape. Repeat this until you have a full wig.
Step 6: Carefully pierce your wig cap, and cut away the bits that aren’t sewn to your closure wig. This is especially important if you used a black cap, as it will be visible and blatantly synthetic once you put it on. Don’t cut through the seams, though!
Finish off by tweaking and styling, and then trimming the closure lace. One tip I’ve found helps is to part your hair as far along with your head as you can go. This will give it a natural appearance.
You can also blend a little bit of your concealer onto it so that it matches your skin tone more accurately.
Method 3: Using the Elastic Band Trick
Here’s a hack for you if you’d like your full-closure wig to fit a little more snugly. It also makes it easier to put on and keeps it in place throughout the day. All you need is a strip of elastic band (preferably 1-2 inches in width), some T-pins, scissors, and your sewing equipment.
Step 1: Measure a strip of elastic so that it wraps around your head from nape to temples, leaving space for where your closure will fit. You want the elastic to be taut, but not tight. When you’re happy with the length and resistance, cut it to size.
Step 2: Turn your wig inside out. Position one end of the elastic where the end of the lace meets the band of your cap. Set it just above the outer edge of your wig. Sew it into place, taking care to thread it through the lace. You can use T-Pins to secure it if need be.
Step 3: Now, instead of stretching the elastic band the long way around, flip it across the closure’s lace. You still want the elastic’s edge to line up with the lace.
You should be left with the seam of the elastic tucked below the rest of the strip to form a loop from end to end. Sew it into place.
Step 4: When it’s secured (and your pins are removed), pull the elastic over the wig so that it wraps around it from the back. It should be straight and flat.
Step 5: Invert your wig, so that’s the right way around again. The elastic will be on the inside of it. When you’re ready to put it on, all you have to do is pull the elastic over your head so that it fits nicely, and the rest will easily fall into place.
You may need to experiment to determine the resistance that’s most comfortable for you. If your elastic is too tight, your wig may be uncomfortable or painful to wear for extended periods. Beauty may be a pain, but headaches suck, and a great wig isn’t worth suffering one!
How to Make a Closure Wig FAQs
Do you have any questions about making closure wigs? I have answers…
What’s the Difference Between a Frontal and Closure?
Frontals and closures may look similar, but they serve different purposes. A frontal mimics your natural hairline from ear to ear, while a closure recreates your part. As you can see, they’re not interchangeable, so a common mistake is using one in place of the other.
Yes, they both make wigs fuller and give wearers a more natural appearance, but they should be implemented as intended. Not to mention that frontal wigs are a lot harder to make and work with.
Are Closure Wigs Bad for Your Hair?
Not at all. Closure wigs are recommended because they don’t directly attach to your locks. Therefore, when you remove one, it won’t take any of your natural hair with it. They’re safe to use and preserve your hair’s condition.
Should I Use Lace or Silk for My Closure?
Both have their pros and cons, so it’s entirely up to you and your preferences. Silk is thicker and more efficient at covering your natural scalp and hair, but it’s not as flexible and doesn’t look natural.
Lace is seamless, lighter, and easily follows the shape of your head, but because of its eyelets, you have to tweak it, otherwise, it will be visible a mile away.
Making a Closure Wig is Simpler than it Seems
Closure wigs are an essential part of any wig because, in creating a parting, they conform to the nuances of natural hair. If you struggle with putting your closures together, as many do, I hope this guide helps you get the hang of it.
The methods I’ve shared with you are easy and affordable, so everyone can give them a try.
Do me a favor. In the comments below, let me know if these tricks worked for you and also if there are any methods or hacks I’ve missed.