Wigs Recommendations on making wig caps?

I have made a few stretchy cap wigs in the past, mostly for OT tiny headed dolls/action-figures. Other than the materials you already mentioned, there's not really a lot more suggestion or advice that can be given. I prefer not to use fabric that's too stretchy, because of the tiny size of heads I have, although I also use less stretchy fabric for the few larger wigs I've made in the past as well. The wigs fit snugger if the material is not too stretchy (IMHO), in my personal experience. If you're using dark colored fabrics and elastics, make sure you wash those first to remove any excess dies. Fabrics and elastics with excess dyes will stain, even on resin -- more so for those who keep their dolls with wigs on all the time. There are probably tutorials on making wig caps on YouTube, probably not for dolls, but human-meant-wigs should be the same principal as ones made for dolls. Hope that helps! (:

 

Dark fabric can be washed, as can elastic. The only issue is sometimes it takes multiple washes -- some people swear by soaking the fabric in salty water or vinegar and water mixes, but that only works if you know the type of dye they used on the fabric. I liked using not too stetchy t-shirt material or semi-stretchy mesh fabrics for my stretchy wig caps (I'm a lazy old fart now, so I prefer making hard caps mostly because there's less fuss, and I don't have to worry about making sewn wefts, or the bulk they add). Good luck with your wig stretchy wig caps, they are not too hard to make, but they do require a bit of patience the first few times (as most things do, in this life!).

Some places still sell readymade BJD-meant stretchy wig caps, if you decide to go that route. I know from owning weird-shaped doll heads, that not all readymade caps work for all doll head types, but that might be an option if you don't want to make your own wig caps at some point. (:

 

You could use stretch mesh or tulle from the special occasion fabrics section, or something called power mesh (usually used on clothes that have a "slimming effect" especially if they're activewear). You could also try to find actual wig mesh from a beauty supply store that people use to add lacefronts to human sized wigs. I think the wig mesh isn't very stretchy though, but it would be good for more natural looking hairlines.
For smaller sizes, I've also seen people use stretch lace and even pantyhose or tights.

 

I've been trying to learn how to make wigs for myself over the last year and I've experimented a lot!

I went from using a stretchy nylon and glue, which created the hard caps. These wigs had exactly the issues you mentioned- some minor shrinkage and a LOT of them becoming misshapen without use.

I now use tulle and liquid latex! The tulle will also work with clear silicone as well, but I prefer the latex as it dries more quickly when it comes to the fiddly parts (like the part itself!). With both you then basically use the same stuff as your glue as well. My favorite part is how flexible they both are.

Here was the first one I made along with the wig itself.

I hope this helps a little!

 

Have you checked out Dollightful's tutorial on Youtube? She uses a Monster High doll in the video, but it would work just as well for a BJD.


I usually use Poppen Atelier's hot glue method because it's fast and easy. These wigs don't need a wig cap, and I haven't had any problems with warping, but it's obviously hard to use heat on them as the base is made of hot glue.