Weaves are definitely popular at the moment and this trend doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. Sew-in weaves are loved by many because they give you the freedom to experiment with your hair without a real commitment.
The only real problem with wearing sew-in weaves is the cost. If you often wear sew-in weaves then you know firsthand how expense it can be, especially if you get your weaves installed by a professional stylist. However, there is a way that you can achieve the weave style you want without breaking the bank. How? By installing your sew-in weave in the comfort of your own home. Sound too difficult? Not very good at styling hair? Don’t worry. With a little time, patience and a few instructions, you can do your own sew-in weave with ease.
We’ve broken the sew-in weave installation process down into a few easy-to-follow steps. With these step-by-step instructions you will be able to install your own full or partial sew-in weave.
Before you begin your at-home sew-in weave adventure, you will first need to gather a few products and styling tools.
What You’ll Need:
Rattail Comb
Clips
C-Curve Needles
Scissors
Hair Thread (same color as extension hair)
Weft Extension Hair / Weft Bundles
Mesh Weave Cap (optional)
Blow dryer/ Flat iron
Your Favorite Products (mouse, edge control, gel, etc.)
Preparation
Your natural hair needs to be properly prepared before installing a weave. This step is crucial and ensures that your real hair isn’t damaged underneath the sew-in weave. So, how do you prep your hair for a weave? First, begin by shampooing and then follow with a deep conditioning mask or treatment. After your hair has been cleansed and conditioned, trim any split or damaged ends. That’s it. Your hair is now prepped and ready for a sew-in weave.
Getting Started
Your hair is prepped and you’re ready to sew, but before you begin you must create a base for your weft extensions. This is done by cornrow braiding your real hair flat to the scalp. Think carefully about the style you want and ask yourself a few questions. Do you want a part? Where? Will any of your real hair be left out? These questions will help you determine which way you need to part and section the cornrows.
Once you have your desired style in mind, part your hair accordingly and clip or braid any hair that will be left out. For beginners, it’s best to leave out the hair along your edges and nape line.
Now it’s time for braiding. Since you’re doing this yourself, it’s probably easier to braid downwards, but horizontal braids will work just as well. No matter how you place the cornrows, be sure to make them as flat and secure as possible.
After you’re done, secure the ends of the cornrows by tucking and sewing them down with the hair needle and thread. It’s now time for the sewing to begin.
Installation
If you’ve decided to use a mesh weave cap, now is the time to place it on your head over the cornrows. A mesh weave caps makes the sewing process easier and eliminates any tension placed on your real hair.
Begin sewing the wefts horizontally across the cornrow braids, making sure that the thread is passed under and through the mesh cap. You should begin at the nape and work your upwards. It’s okay to use double wefts in the back of the head. To do this don’t cut the weft once you’ve finished sewing a row. Instead fold the weft and raise it the next braid higher and continue sewing. Once you’ve completed the back of the head, cut the track and begin sewing wefts to the front of your hair. You shouldn’t double the wefts in the front of the hair to prevent bulkiness. Instead measure each row and cut the track before sewing.
After all wefts have been sewed into the desired place, cut the tracks and tie the remaining thread into a triple knot before cutting away any loose ends. Also, be sure to cut away any excess mesh cap that are still visible.
You’re now ready to style your sew-in weave. You can do this by unbraiding or removing the clips away from the section of hair that will be left out of the weave. Comb the left out hair into the desired style. Make sure that the hair left out covers any visible wefts or braids.
You can then proceed to curl, cut or straighten your extensions into whatever style your heart desires.
That’s it. You now have the steps needed to do a sew-in weave at home all by yourself. If you still have a few questions about the process, stop by our blog or search YouTube for sew-in weave tutorials.
