Having a wig sewing machine is a great way to give yourself a look that you can’t achieve with your natural hair, whether it be a wig for your cute anime cosplay or any other activity. Not only that, but considering that wigs are relatively expensive, a sewing machine can reduce that extra money you might spend on already-made wigs.
However, finding a sewing machine for wigs takes some time and effort. If you need a little bit of help finding a great model, this is your guide. Here, you’ll find everything you must know about them.
How to Choose Right Sewing Machine for Making Wigs?
There are no prerequisites for making wig with a sewing machine. However, choosing the wrong sewing machine can lead to unfortunate results, such as having a hard time picking up the basics.
In this buying guide, we’ll go over the most crucial features you must look out for if you want a reliable sewing machine for making wigs or any other activity.
- Built-in Stitches
Making wigs requires both the zigzag stitch and the straight stitch. Those are the essential stitches for making wigs.
However, as shown in the review section, there are sewing machines with over 50 stitches.
Generally, you don’t need that many. You might only use a small fraction of them. But it wouldn’t hurt to have those additional stitches for future projects. - LCD Display
This point goes in hand with the first one. With the constant help of an LCD display, you can know what stitch you’re using. You’d be surprised by how much time you can save just by having a simple built-in screen. - Bult-in Lamps
One of the most useful wig makers tools is lighting. Even if you’re in a room with great lighting, sometimes that extra brightness coming directly from the machine can make a huge difference.
Ever noticed how pointing your phone’s flashlight to your hands could show things you couldn’t really appreciate? It’s the same for sewing machines. - Reverse Setting
Good habits make your sewing easier. However, without the right tools, this is not so easy. One of the most important features any sewing machine must have is the reverse sewing option.
Backstitching is used to lock both the beginning and end of a seam. This way, you can prevent the unravelling of the stitches. - Bobbins Rewinding
If there’s anything that can be hard to do is rewinding a bobbin. It can be a laborious task.
If you want to make this process easier, we suggest picking up a sewing machine with a thread spindle on the back or anywhere you find comfortable. - Expandable Working Area
Sewing on a wig requires extra space. And sometimes the already working area might not be enough for most people. To make up for that, you should get a machine that comes with a working table.
That’ll allow you to work at ease if you ever run out of space.
Best Wig Making Sewing Machine [Top Picks]
- Best Choice: SINGER M3500
- Budget Friendly: Varmax Mini
- Premium Choice: Janome 3160QDC
- Best for Beginners: NEX 12 Compact
- Best Heavy Duty: Brother ST150HDH
Below we reviewed after testing the five most practical wig making sewing machines available. Let’s dive in to learn more about them.
1. SINGER M3500 Sewing Machine – Best Choice
As our favorite model, we have a sturdy and efficient sewing machine from SINGER. This brand is one of the most well-known in the sewing world.
With 110 built-in stitches, you have lots of them for making wigs and any other garment. Although for making wigs, most wig makers use the zigzag stitch and the straight stitch.
In addition to the various stitches, it comes with an easy to use buttonhole system to make them quickly. So, no need to fear them even if it is the last thing you need to do.
Besides the previous system, you also get a free arm that allows you to sew and even reach difficult areas.
Furthermore, you get a sturdy needle threading lever. It’s super useful to have such a feature for threading the eye of the needle.
Why do we like it?
- Quick and easy to use
- Comes with lots of stitches
- Accurate needle
- Boasts a compact design
Our Verdict
Overall, we strongly believe this is an outstanding sewing machine. It is designed to provide outstanding accuracy, it’s easy to use, and has a bunch of stitches.
2. Varmax Mini Basic Sewing Machine – Budget Friendly
Most high-end sewing machines that offer excellent accuracy can be quite expensive. To make up for this, we have this simple and affordable wig sewing machine from Varmax.
Despite its size, this model comes with a rather large table for sewing. Not only that, but the working table is also sturdy enough to remain still while you comfortably work.
One noticeable feature of this small sewing machine is that it has a built-in lamp. Most machines do not have a lamp, which is great to have on an affordable machine.
There is also a pole on the machine that allows you to rewind in no time—no need to take unnecessary steps to wind a couple of bobbins.
In addition to the previous excellent features, this model also has a double thread system to make the whole knotting process a lot easier.
Why do we like it?
- Easy to carry around
- Simple yet powerful for sewing
- Comes with a large working table
- Has a built-in lamp
Our Verdict
This model is a well-built sewing machine. Even though it looks small and weak, its excellent performance only goes to show how practical it is. This is a perfect choice for getting started.
3. Janome 3160QDC Sewing Machine – Premium Choice
This sturdy sewing machine from Janome is the best sewing machine for making wigs and the most expensive out of all the ones we’ve gone through so far. However, this model specializes in offering excellent and precise results.
Despite all the great features it has, the reason this incredible machine is loved by thousands of customers worldwide is that it is pretty lightweight. So, if you’re going to a class, you can carry it around without giving up some of its features.
With 60 of the most popular stitches any sewer needs, this sewing machine is indeed a dream come true.
And finally, by merely pressing a button, you can use the scissors, push the needle up and down, and you can also auto-lock the sewing machine.
Why do we like it?
- Wide variety of stitches
- Simple and intuitive design
- Includes an expandable working table
- Super easy to operate
Our Verdict
While it is true that this machine is more expensive than others, it is worth the investment. It is easy to operate, has lots of useful features, and it’s large enough for most projects.
4. NEX 12 Compact Sewing Machine – Best for Beginners
Let’s face it, a hair sewing machine can look kind of intimidating at first sight. This machine from NEX, on the other hand, does a pretty good job of making sewing easier for beginners.
If you plan on taking classes on how to sew, this machine will come in handy. Its portable and lightweight design makes it ideal for most beginners who want a simple sewing machine.
Moreover, this model, in particular, has a foot pedal. However, you can sew just fine without it. But if you want to change the speed, you must do so with it.
And finally, it comes with a beautiful built-in LED light. If the lighting in your room is not good enough, you could use this sewing machine to make up for the lack of brightness.
Why do we like it?
- Super easy to handle for beginners
- Can be carried around
- Adjustable speed through food pedal
- Has a reverse setting
Our Verdict
If you’re in the market for a simple sewing machine, then you should look into this model. With this one, you’ll have a much easier time.
5. Brother ST150HDH Sewing Machine – Best for Heavy-Duty Sewing
Combining the effectiveness of other models together, have a reliable wig making sewing machine from the well-known brand Brother.
The Brother ST150HDH comes with a beautiful built-in screen, which allows you to see in real-time the stitch you’re currently using. As you adjust the handle, the screen will change according to the corresponding stitch.
Not only that, but it comes with a bunch of heavy-duty needless to complete some challenging tasks. For instance, with the 90/14 needle, you can even get through 24 layers of cotton duck, like it’s nothing. It truly lives up to its name.
Another feature that makes it stand out from the crowd is that it comes with a built-in lamp in the needle area. If you’re sewing in the dark, this is pretty much a top-notch feature.
Why do we like it?
- Crystal clear LCD display
- Bright built-in lamp
- Perfect for heavy-duty projects
- Has a bunch of stitches
Our Verdict
For those of you who need precision when sewing, this is an excellent choice. Furthermore, it has many useful features and it’s also super accurate at high speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section aims to boost up your knowledge on sewing wigs. Let’s take a look to learn more.
It depends on where you live and your age. However, on average, you can make a wig for about $100. But if you want a high-quality wig, you should expect to spend about $300.
A machine-made wig is nothing more than a covering for someone’s head using fake or real hair. A wig can be a great way to make your hair stand out if it is not possible with your natural hair.
Yes, you can sew on wigs. It is the most efficient way if you want to wear a wig for as long as possible.
It depends on how much time you want to wear a wig. Gluing a wig is a fast and convenient way. However, the biggest downside is that the wig does not hold on to your head for too long. Instead, you should sew the wig for better results.
On average, it takes about 46 hours. There is no appropriate answer to this question, as you must consider many factors. You must consider the size of your wig, the hair, the density of the hair, the lace, etc.
In general, most people recommend wearing a sew-in wig for at least two weeks. However, you might be able to go four weeks without any additional tweaking.
If you’re making a wig and have short hair, we suggest buying the wig cap from Milano. They make great caps for wigs.
Wrapping Up
Learning how to use a wig sewing machine is a lot of fun for the most part. The learning curve is quite huge, and you might have to practice your stitches on some old fabric before you can move on to making wigs.
But as you practice more and more, you’ll get the hang of how it works.
Nonetheless, with the help of the sewing machines, we covered above, learning how to make a wig gets a lot easier. These machines will truly live up to all your expectations when sewing. They’re just the best.