How to Make a Cats Wig

Have you ever wanted to dress up like a cat, but didn't just want to wear silly little ears? The musical Cats has created a whole new style of cat costumes, with wigs that give a very feline impression.

Cats costumes make fun and creative Halloween costumes. And children are always fascinated by a giant cat prowling around. There are many parts to a Cats styled costumes, but the unique wigs can be the most intimidating.

This Intructable contains step by step instructions to building and styling your own Cats style wig. It is a fairly simple process that can be completed by anyone with glue gun experience and a steady hand.

Caution! This project makes extensive use of a hot glue gun! Be careful, hot glue, as it's name implies, is hot!

Step 1 Materials & Tools

Materials Needed:
-Lions Brand Homespun Yarn, in various colors
-1 pair of Control Top Pantyhose
-Fabric for sideburns - cross stitch fabric is recomended
-Thick thread
-Extra hot glue sticks
-Clear glue
-Water
-Hairspray

Tools Needed:
-Wighead
-Scissors
-Fine toothed comb
-Book that is approximately 14" in diameter
-Hot Glue gun
-Sewing Machine or needle and thread
-Bowl
-Paintbrush

Comments

[bsmith90]

I have to make two cats wigs for my son and his friend for a dance routine and I'm so blessed to have come across these awesome instructions :) Do you happen to know what the colour of homespun yarn you used in the middle wig on the photos - I need that browny/reddy colour and it's hard for me looking at the Lion Brand website to determine the right colours?? If you remember the colours you used, could you let me know. And I think I read lower down that you recommend 1 skien of wool per colour per wig, right? THANKS SO MUCH in advance for your reply.

[Sdk113]

There it is. :)

[Sdk113]

I made it like you said to! It turned out beautiful, in my opinion! :)

[asheepanda]

Hey, Thanks so much for putting these instructions on here for people to see! I had a fashion show to do for Cats and my wig turned out awesome! Here is a picture of my model in the wig :)

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp82/asheepanda/photo1.jpg

[kreibson]

That's Awesome!!

[asheepanda]

Thank you :)

[MichiganBelle]

I loved this Instructable! I am SO going to make one and be an all black CAT for Halloween and who knows maybe just for some fun days in the summer. I really like the ear style but they seem a bit too rounded, is there a better way to maybe make them a bit more fierce and triangular?

[kreibson]

I wanted to say thank you so much for these wonderfully easy instructions. My 5 year old granddaughter is going to be Rumpleteazer in a mini version of CATS. I didn't want her to look like a store bought costume. You have made my day. I made one so far but it was too big for her so I am scaling down even smaller. I used little girl hose for the first one. I think I might need to go to infant size or maybe doll size. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[afirestine]

I was wondering how many scenes of yarn you ended up using? I am thinking of making a wig out of black (dominate color) white and tan/brown to go for a calico kind of look. I am just wondering how many scenes of yarn I should pick up.

[melgre2]

I think 1 skein of each color should be plenty if you go with Homespun. There is a lot of yarn in each skein, and I've been able to make an entire single colored wig out of one skein. It kind of depends on how closely you space the plug, but yeah, 1 skein of each color should be good.

[afirestine]

Oh! Awesome! Thanks a lot for the quick response! :)

[Sdk113]

How do you pull them apart? I keep trying, but it just won't work. I've done this until my fingers are sore with no success...

[melgre2]

Well, once you have the strings out, Homespun is basically loose fibers. I hold the knot with one hand and the ends with another and just pull. Maybe your strands aren't long enough?

[glawrence2]

Thank you SO much for this, has been a lifesaver! Think im going to be making a few more before the show! Heres my one, have cut or styled it yet, but it looks great! Thank you! :)

[glawrence2]

This looks fantastic! Just wondering if you'd be able to give me a rough time scale on how long it takes? I have the rest of my costume planned and/or completed, but time is running out!

[melgre2]

Well, it depends. Prepping the yarn takes the longest time, in my opinion. I think I spread the yarn prep for this wig over two days. I glued the entire wig in one day, it took me about.... three or four hours at the most. I styled it the next day, which only took me about an hour.

Of course, I have made a few wigs now, so I know the fastest ways for me to do it. My first wig took me longer, as I was very careful and was afraid of putting a hair wrong. But I don't think it should take you too long to make your wig.

[glawrence2]

Thank you! Have prepped most of the yarn already, and will be ready to get it done as soon as i find myself a wighead! Will let you know how it goes! Such a good idea, very much appreciated :)

[susanzhang007]

I have never made a wig for my cat or dog. It seems that they don't like wearing anything. Anyway I love your wigs.

[babyann]

it's not a wig for a cat, it's a wig for a costume of the musical cats!

[linda1]

What a wonderful instructable!! You sure have to have a lot of patience and more time than I can spare to make this wig. I am very impressed. I just don't like the ears. I'm wondering if you can shape them with wire or pipe cleaners and then add the yarn fluff or whatever to resemble ears more closely. I certainly learned here so thanks al lot!

[melgre2]

You can pretty much do whatever you like with the ears. People have made this style of wigs, but with fabric or leather ears.... It's very flexible, this tutorial only goes over the most common way to do a wig in this style. Some people extend the sideburns up to form fan ears.

There isn't a 'right' way to do a Cats wig, it's mostly about making a wig you're happy with.

[sammy.1000]

i thought the same thing i done a dance for cats and we done cuved triangles it looked more realistic

[Applejuice11]

Great job! this would look so cool as a lion wig!

[earthshine]

I have tried these on my cat and they are too large. Plus he looks stupid.

[canida]

Wow, awesome!
Those look totally excellent, just like the real thing.

[omnibot]

Sweet! That last picture reminds me of Thundercats.

[Lettucehead]

I love Cats! It looks almost just like the real play!

[scoochmaroo]

That is one intense process.
Well done!