5 Day Intensive Hard Cap Workshop
4th - 8th August 2025
Want To Learn The Wig Making World's Best Kept Secret?
Join me for my next workshop, held in my semi-rural town of Todmorden, West Yorkshire - just 40 minutes outside Manchester.
We'll spend 5 days together learning how to get you started in the process of making your own hard cap wigs from scratch
Hello
Hello - I'm Tam and I'm a hard cap nerd ...
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I studied at the London College of Fashion and graduated in 2000
I've worked across the board in theatre, film, television and music before moving to Paris in 2006.
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It was in Paris, working in a theatrical wig atelier, that I started to learn and use predominantly synthetic wigs. I'd stay behind late after work and was given permission to experiment with a box of old wigs in the store room.
The owner saw what I was doing and asked me to put the wigs I had been dressing in the shop window.
This was the unusual start to my journey into display, learning about mannequin wigs and how a hard cap worked.
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In 2010 I had my daughter and moved back to the UK. No longer able to work the hours that theatre and tv required, I started to try and get myself into window display in London. After trying to get a job in various mannequin wig departments without much success, I decided to go it alone.
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My first contract was making 100's of little bob's for a high street store. I found a wig maker on Linkedin who had been training at one of the mannequin wig studios. I hired her to help me and together we dissected the sample we had to copy and managed to supply these wigs on a rolling contract.
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Everything I learnt from there has been trial and error. It's been challenging and hugely rewarding. The last four years have been spent moving my hard cap technique out of display and into other worlds.
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This is your chance for me to teach you the magic of hard caps and how versatile they can be. You'll learn all the basic skills you need to start your journey into creative wig making and head props.
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More About The Workshop
Where is the workshop being held?
Todmorden Hall, Rise Lane, Todmorden West Yorkshire, OL14 7AA.
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Free onsite parking available, just one minute from Todmorden train station.
When is the workshops
happening?
Monday 4th of August - Friday 8th of August 2025.
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​​10am - 5:30pm
How Versatile Can Hard Caps Actually Be?
We can talk about this in the workshops
From
crowd rooms to commissions
theatre to editorial
window display to feature films
making head props and masks
adding pieces to lace wigs
I've used the cut and stick method for them all
What You'll Be Learning
1. Wig and Cap Construction Techniques
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Discover the step-by-step process of constructing hard cap wigs.
Starting with the cap construction and learning how to measure and prep your block.
Directional cut and stick,
Learning how to move hair around cap - not just sticking the fibre on
Hair up,
Edging your wigs seamlessly, partings and creating waves and movement.
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2. Basic Frame Techniques
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Learn how to create solid frames and padding for your styles to create hard wearing, sculptural designs.
You'll learn about numerous materials you can use to block and pad out.
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3. Learning How To Break Down Designs
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We'll talk about how to transfer a 2D reference into a 3D wig
Where and how to find inspiration for your designs
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4. Colour Mixing On The Hackle And Pre Curling Techniques
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Gain valuable insights on how to mix up bespoke colours on a hackle, create movement in your fibre and understand which fibres work best.
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And so much more...
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By the end of the 5 day workshop - You will leave with a good understanding of the core techniques needed to start making your own wigs.
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What our Allumni Say
"Tam brings a lot of experience from a wide range of different sides of the hair and make-up industry to the course which benefits non-wig makers as well as seasoned wig makers like myself. The 5 day hard cap course with Tam was very well structured and struck a really good balance between giving as much information as possible, with enough time to do all the individual steps yourself, so you remember them better. ​ We had a really good group atmosphere and stayed in touch to cheer each other on while trialing and testing these techniques at home." Judith Maya Abegg UK Based Hair and Make Up Artist. Film, TV & Theatre. @Judith_maya_abegg
I was thrilled for the opportunity to take Tam's Hard Cap Workshop August 2024 in Los Angeles. The 5 day course is packed with detailed info and techniques that can be creatively adapted into a number of wig and headpiece applications for wigmakers, costume and props craftspersons, and drag, cosplay, and textile artists. Tam walked us through the entire process step by step with patience, encouragement, and humor. She provided lists of comparable US supplies to quickly and easily get started creating stateside. It was such a pleasure and I look forward to incorporating the skills I learned into my current wigmaking. -- Dawn Victoria Dudley, Make-up Artists & Hairstylists Owner WELL DRESSED WIGS, INC. IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7934796/ Instagram: @welldressedwigs Mobile and WhatsApp +1.818.821.5684
Tam Walsh has truly opened my eyes to a transformative approach to wig building that I never knew existed until I found her on Instagram a few years ago. From the moment I stepped into the class, I was captivated by Tam's unique methods and passion for her craft. Her teaching style is not only engaging but also incredibly insightful, making complex techniques feel accessible, exciting and fun. With every day that passed during the 5 day course, I felt my own creativity building as I learned to blend my existing skills with this fresh perspective. ​ What sets Tam apart is her ability to break down her unique wig-building process into manageable steps, emphasizing the importance of technique while encouraging artistic expression. Tam’s hands-on course allowed me to immediately apply what I learned, and I was amazed at how quickly I would be able to incorporate these new skills into my own work. ​ The supportive atmosphere Tam fosters encourages collaboration and experimentation, making each day of the class a joy to attend. I left each session excited to return the next day and build a work of art. Tam’s course left me feeling inspired and confident with my new skills and eager to explore the endless possibilities in my own personal wig design. ​ I can't recommend Tam’s course enough to anyone looking to elevate their wig-making skills. This experience has not only expanded my knowledge but has ignited a passion within me to push the boundaries of what I can create. Thank you, Tam, for this incredible journey—I'm excited to blend my own previous years of wig experience and personal style with your veteran, next-level techniques that you've taught me! Thank you for generosity, sharing your genius and your unique perspective. You’re a Legend Tam Walsh
With over a decade of hair stylist experience, I was keen to expand my skill set and, after observing from afar for a few months, I decided to book onto Tam's Headcase course. I was incredibly nervous on day one, as I didn't have a single ounce of wig making experience, but I needn't have worried in the slightest. This 5 day intensive workshop was mind-blowing, as Tam took us all back to the basics, regardless of our experience level, in order to ensure we all had the same understanding of execution and technique. Whilst we learnt a LOT in a short space of time, it was all immediately being applied to our wigs and there was definitely a solid sense of accomplishment after each day by all students. After the 5 days, we were armed with enough knowledge and confidence to start our own solo wigs at home, which is exactly what each student is now doing. Tam is not only an incredible wig maker, but she's also an absolutely flawless tutor & I cannot recommend being taught by her enough. 🖤 Natalie Johnson @RocknRollerParlour
What's Included
​​​Five Days of expert tuition
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Core wig making equipment
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Your handcrafted wig to take home with you.
Tea Coffee and Refreshments
Full suppliers list of where I get all my materials & fibre​​​​
Not Included
Accommodation
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Lunch
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Specialist Kit Bundle (required for workshop​)​​
£210.00 Charged at booking.
Included in the Specialist Equipment Bundle: — Hair Fibre — Set of Hard Cap Wig Pins — All Cap Making Materials Including Cap — Wig Making Glue and Bottles — Chinagraph pencil — All Frame and Padding Materials — Hair Spray — Gel Spray
Upon Booking You Receive
A welcome Brochure of the Todmorden area. Including information on Hostels, Airbnbs and other places to eat and sleep.
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A list of basic equipment required for all students to bring.
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What's in the basic equipment list? — One Black Permanant Marker — A Pin Tail Comb — A Fork Comb — 5 Circular Needles — Strong Large eyed Sewing needles — A measuring tape