ABSTRACT
Measurements are the oldest method used to make custom wigs. The invention and affordability of plastic and clear/transparent tape has given us the option of creating tracings or bubbles of performers' heads. Taking accurate measurements and patterns are therefore key to the wig-making and artificial-facial-hair process. Each wig maker uses these in varying percentages. Some prefer to take 25 measurements; others rely exclusively on plastic and tape tracings. The first set of measurements is to establish the shape of the skull, which won't change. For someone who has extremely thick and long hair, if wig designer students use a block that is large enough based only on measurements the shape of the block might not match. After taking measurements it is good to take a few photos from several angles of the hair still in the wig cap, if the students didn't take them before. Pay close attention to places where short wispy hairs want to escape.
