Discover the 4 Different Types of Sew Ins

Among all the types, sew-in weave has remained a great choice that many women love trying. Probably it’s because they are versatile, low maintenance, and long-lasting. 

It's understandable why one would choose it above others, especially if having a long-lasting extension was part of their preferences.

But if you're a beginner, after choosing sew-in as a good installation method for yourself, you likely may be unaware that there are types of sew-ins to opt for, each giving you a unique feel and purpose.

To help you discover what option is best for your hair, lifestyle, and hairstyle choice, let's unravel the different types of sew-ins in this article.

This will serve as a guide for those looking for the best type of sew-in regarding a certain look or style—it will contain everything you should know about the types of sew-in hair extensions.

What Are Sew Ins?

Sew-ins enhance your hair by adding volume and length, using a needle and thread to attach the wefts to your cornrows.

Types of Sew-In Hair Extensions

There are primarily two methods of installing sew-in hair extensions: with or without leave-out. These fall under full sew-ins (without leave-out) and partial sew-ins (with leave-out).

However, not all types of sew-ins can be neatly categorized into these two methods because they serve different styling purposes and help achieve specific looks.

So, to help you fully understand and choose what you want better, we'll look at each type individually.

1. The Full Sew-In

A full sew-in describes when your natural hair is braided and the hair extensions wefts are sewn onto the cornrows without leaving any part of your hair out.

Sometimes called the no leave-out sew-in, this name perfectly describes the method, as it makes sure every part of your hair is in cornrows and the braids or wefts of the hair extensions are not visible. Meaning, they become undetected to give you a natural and realistic look.

Both closure sew in and frontal sew in belong to full sew in method.

Full Sew In Suit For:

The full sew-in method is the perfect installation technique for those who want to take a break from styling their natural hair with chemicals or heat. That's because there is no blending in any way and it offers you a new look without damaging the natural tresses, instead it even promotes its growth.

Many will consider it a good protective style that can add versatility, length, and volume without causing any issues to the hair, and that's true. With the full sew-in method, you also have a wide range of options and colors, giving you a big advantage in customizing your look to fit your style.

Types of Full Sew In:

When choosing a full sew-in, there are different types you can opt for—frontal sew in, closure sew in, or taraditional sew in. While the first two types have benefits, there are also some drawbacks.

Let's take a look.

Pros and Cons of Full Sew-In Hair Extensions

- It's low-maintenance.

- You don't have to blend your hair with hair extensions.

- It gives room for your hair to grow.

Since the full sew-in method allows you to choose between adding a frontal, or closure, or opting for none to achieve a natural look, using a frontal or closure may have a few cons.

- The closure or frontal may slip back when it grows out.

- You may need to pay extra care if using frontal or closure.

- Some techniques may use adhesives and glue.

2. Partial Sew-In

A partial sew-in involves leaving your hair at the crown of your head, front, and around your head out while braiding some parts for a natural look. This means your hair is partially braided with the unbraided part covering the wefts and blending to give you a beautiful hairstyle.

It’s a good way to add volume to your natural hair without committing to a full sew-in.

The partial sew-in gives you the most natural look but this will only happen if the right type is chosen for you and done correctly. It also offers the perfect flexibility when it comes to styling. You could easily style your hair in multiple ways without being concerned about your wefts showing. And that's why people are obsessed with it.

But with this styling flexibility, comes another bonus—customization. You get to make it your style and have the luscious locks of your dreams.

Beyond the ability to choose textures, colors, and lengths, there are even more benefits to this type of sew-in. Let's see a few more below and some cons.

- It's very versatile.

- It looks more natural.

- The method doesn't require the use of adhesives or glue.

- If the partial sew-in is not done correctly, it's easy to notice.

- It can cause damage to your natural hair because of the regular use of heat tools.

3. Invisible Sew-In

The invisible sew-in is a method that ensures there are no visible tracks in your hair. This common technique creates the illusion that the wefts are growing from your scalp. So, to achieve this, the wefts are sewn to a cap or net instead of your cornrows.

The net is likewise there to provide extra space to sew the wefts, particularly around the part you create to give you a more natural and undetectable finish.

Considering all the materials, precision, and time needed, this method becomes more expensive than the traditional sew-in method. Additionally, it requires high maintenance to keep it looking natural and flawless. But it works to achieve a realistic-looking part.

Since it does, it results in a fixed, immovable part that cannot be changed once installed.

One of the ways professionals achieve the invisible part is to use a closure. Another is the flip-over method. This involves sewing and flipping the hair to cover the tracks. While that might have sounded easy, it's not. It requires skills and practice to perfect it and make it look good. Once that's mastered, achieving it yourself won't be difficult.

Pros and Cons of the Invisible Sew-In

Pros

- It gives you a natural appearance.

- The invisible sew-in adds volume and length to your hair.

- Using a net or cap can help shield your hair and reduce tension.

Cons

- It has a fixed part.

- Requires more maintenance.

- It is more expensive.

4. Versatile Sew-In

The versatile sew-in is as the name suggests—versatile. This installation method lets you style your hair in diverse ways, including a ponytail, bun, and many more. It also allows you to part your hair in various ways without worrying that the tracks will show. But this means that some parts of your hair will be left out to enable you to style the way you want.

The main difference between the versatile sew-in and other types is the added versatility when styling your hair. You might also notice a change in how your hair is parted. This parting ensures you can take advantage of the many styles achievable with your sew-in.

Pros and Cons of the Versatile Sew-In

Just like other types, there are pros and cons to this type. Let's see them.

Pros

- It blends naturally with your hair.

- Lots of versatile styles.

- Parted in multiple ways.

Cons

- Your natural hair may become damaged due to constant heat styling.

- You will need to cut your wefts unless you use the fold-over method.

How To Do A Sew In?

1. Full Sew-In Method

Here is how you can install a full sew-in hair extension;

• Start by braiding your hair. But before you braid, take note of the parting you want because it determines the pattern.
• After braiding, sew the loose braids to your cornrows to create a flat base.
• Immediately that’s done, start sewing your wefts from the back of your head until you reach the front.
• Once you're at the section you created, use the flip-over method to achieve a natural look.

If you'll use a closure or frontal, install it before sewing the other wefts around the front. This will make sure it fits and help prevent mistakes.

2. Partial Sew-In Method

The partial sew-in is simple to install. Follow the steps here.

• Divide your leave-out from the rest of your hair. This should be around your edges and either the middle or side part.
• Braid your hair from the part you've created to the back of your head.
• Sew your hair extensions to the braids, ensuring they are tight and secured.
• Comb your leave-out and blend with the rest of your hair.

3. Invisible Sew-In Method

These steps will help you achieve the invisible sew-in smoothly.

• Start by creating a part where you want your invisible sew-in to be.
• Braid your hair in a pattern, moving from your part downwards.
• Next, wear your net and sew around it to keep it secured.
• Sew the wefts to your net, using the pattern of your braids as a guide.
• Once you reach the front, use a closure to create an invisible part or use the flip-over method.

4. Versatile Sew-In Method

Here are the quick steps to follow to achieve a versatile sew-in;

• Leave your hair at the top of your head, the sides, and the back out.
• Choose a braid pattern and plait the rest of your hair, taking notes of the areas you won't braid.
• Sew your wefts to the areas you've braided using the under-braid sewing method. Move from ear to ear, then cut or use the fold-over method. Make sure you sew closely to the scalp so the leave-out can blend beautifully.
• Take out your leave-out and blend with the rest of your hair.

That's it!

Conclusion

Aside from the major sew-in methods (full and partial sew-ins), we've listed some other types of sew-ins you can choose from (versatile and invisible). With each type having pros, cons, and styles, it's easy to decide based on your desire and goals. So, consider your needs along with other factors and make your choice.