Want your hair to look fuller and longer? Opt-in for sew-in weft hair extensions!
Sew-in wefts have been one of the most popular hair extension methods for many years in the USA, Australia, Canada, and the UK. They are often chosen alongside K-tip extensions for their natural look, comfortable wear, and good volume without putting too much weight on the natural hair.
We created the best sew in hair extensions guide for anyone considering this method. In this article, we will talk about different types of wefts, from hand-tied to machine wefts, explain installation and maintenance, aftercare, how long they last, the pros and cons of sew-ins, who this method is suitable for, and where to buy top-quality hair for your next appointment.
CONTENTS
- What Are Sew-in Hair Extensions?
- The Difference Between Hand-tied and Machine Sew-in Wefts
- What Are the Benefits of Sew-in Hair Extensions?
- What are the Disadvantages of Sew-in Hair Extensions?
- How Long Do Sew-in Extensions Last?
- How Much Are Sewn-In Extensions?
- Where Can I Get the Best Sew-in Hair Extensions?
What Are Sew-in Hair Extensions?
Sew-in hair extensions, also known as weave hair extensions are one of the most popular methods to change your hairstyle, which looks natural and is as comfortable as possible to wear.
Let’s figure out what wefts hair extensions are and how do sew in extensions work. Speaking of this type of extensions, one can often find such a term as wefts. These are hair strands sewn onto a super-thin cloth strip that is used in this extension technique.
Sew-in extensions are a method where prepared wefts are attached to the natural hair using a braid. In other words, the wefts are literally sewn into the natural hair. Thanks to this gentle attachment method, clients get a hairstyle that looks completely natural because the attachment points are hidden under their own hair.
Would you like to know what do sew in extensions look like in real life?
This type of extensions usually creates the look of a full, dense hair. It is often used when you want to add volume evenly throughout the head. By the way, you can use more than one weft, depending on how much volume and length you want to add, as well as where you plan to place it. And even though wefts are not attached strand by strand like k-tips, they can still be used in specific areas, for example, to add fullness around the temples.
You can read more about all the differences between k tip hair extensions vs weft in our blog.
One more thing about what are hair wefts: there are two kinds of them - machine and hand-tied wefts.
In North America both types are widely used, but they differ in overall performance and wear experience. Hand-tied wefts are considered more premium: they lay flatter against the scalp, better mimic the natural head shape, feel lighter during daily wear, and create a more seamless result. Machine wefts are denser, slightly more structured, quicker to install, and often chosen for more budget-friendly applications.
Let’s discuss in more detail the differences between them.
The Difference Between Hand-tied and Machine Sew-in Weft Hair Extensions
Before diving deeper, it is important to understand that sew in weft hair extensions are generally based on creating one continuous weft of hair. There are two main types: thicker machine wefts and thinner hand-tied wefts.
Machine wefts are made with special equipment: they have a thicker base, so they are more rough and heavy.
Typically, machine-tied hair extensions are suitable for the clients:
- With naturally thick human hair, the wefts with a thicker base suit them well.
- Looking for flexible solutions, and the possibility to cut machine weft as they want.
- Looking to save money on making wefts or get the wefts done faster (hand-tied weft takes longer to make).
A hand-tied weft is the best solution for sew-in extensions. This is a thin hand-made weft that looks very neat and almost unnoticeable in wearing.
This type of weave extensions is suitable for:
- People with a thin or medium natural hair texture.
- Those who want to conceal the fact that they are wearing hair extensions, and achieve a seamless look of your weft hair extensions, so the attachment point of the extensions is as invisible as possible.
- Clients who want a personalized experience, where their specific wishes and individual characteristics are taken into consideration.
Besides getting Weave Extensions, some customers prefer to order hair tracks. It is a very long and thin strand of natural hair that is hand-sewn. These hair tracks are then sewn together to form a hand-tied weft.
Customers usually order hair tracks if they want their hairdresser to create hand-tied weft extensions. This option is also suitable for people with very fine natural hair who want to get a very thin weave in the attachment point.
As hand-tied wefts are crafted by hand only, it takes a much longer time to make them. All these benefits contribute to the higher price of the hand-tied wefts.
Read more about these two types of wefts in our blog Hand-Tied VS Machine Weft Extensions.
Let’s consider the pros and cons of braid sew-in hair extensions to help you understand whether you should opt for this beauty procedure.
What Are the Benefits of Sew-in Hair Extensions for Natural Hair?
Let’s start with Pros…
- Least damaging
If the stylist masters this extension technique: does not make the braid too tight and correctly fixes the wefts, your natural locks will be safe and sound.
The extension procedure does not require heat treatment, which excludes the possibility of hair damage due to high temperatures.
This method is considered the least damaging hair extensions type. You don't need to worry about allergic reactions, which can occur when wearing tape-in extensions fixed using special glue. - Suitable for hair with a different structure
The main thing is to choose high-quality hair with the right structure for the weft manufacturing. Depending on your natural hair thickness, you can use different types of Remy human hair extensions.
For fine hair, we recommend using virgin Slavic hair. These are thin and soft undyed curls that perfectly blend with your own hair and do not create excessive tension in the root area and do not damage fine hair. - Ordering these products ensures you receive great quality hair of different color, lengths, weight, and texture every time.
The rarest color is blonde hair: ash blonde and white blonde, while dirty blonde and dark colors like chocolate brown are more common.
Russian hair is suitable for slightly thicker hair. In this category, you can find the hair of any texture, color, and length. It is dyed human hair with a wide choice of shades: from jet black to platinum blonde, Ombre, balayage etc. You can also select optimal sizes, structure, (straight or curled hair), single or double drawn etc.
For those with thick hair, it is better to opt for European hair. This type helps you add volume and length. This category includes the bundles with extra sizes — up to 90 cm! - Maximal comfort in wearing. You can use a hair dryer, a flat iron, or a curler, and you can not worry that the high temperature will damage the extensions fixation.
The same cannot be said about keratin tip hair extensions, where the bonds can weaken from high temperatures, and the strands will slide off. In addition, large beads can feel heavy on the head and may even cause damage to your scalp. - You can style your hair in many different ways such as putting it in a high and smooth ponytail, make braids, curl or straighten hair. The key is to avoid excessive heat styling and to remember proper care to keep your hair extensions healthy and receive lots of compliments, on how beautiful your hairstyle is.
You can go to the hot tube or swimming pool, lead a normal lifestyle and have a million-dollar look. - Forget about the length loss
Every reapplication procedure in the tape-in and fusion hair extensions technique means length loss. A part of hair near a bond or tape will be cut off during the re-bonding procedure or new tape application.
As to the hand-tied or machine wefts, you do not lose a single centimeter of length: the stylist removes the weft, unbraids the hair and makes a new braid, and then re-applies the weft in the hairstyle. - Natural look
This method of hair application is pretty discreet. Hand-tied wefts are usually custom-made according to your parameters. No one will be able to tell that you’re wearing hair extensions because they blend perfectly with your natural hair!
Machine wefts can be cut into pieces of desired sizes according to your parameters. - Duration of the procedure
Another advantage of this beauty treatment is that it takes very little time to install. The stylist prepares your weft in advance, so you need to allocate only an hour and a half so that the hair tech can fix the extensions in the hairstyle.
What Are the Disadvantages of Sew-In Hair Extensions?
And now about Cons…
- If the hair extensions are sewn too tight, they might provoke pain and headaches, weaken the roots, and even lead to hair fall.
- The wrong weight (this is especially true for a more rough machine weft) can also greatly damage natural hair and lead to hair loss. If you have thin hair, you should look into using hand-tied wefts. After all, you don’t want your hair to get damaged and fall out, do you?
- It is not suitable for those with too short curls, as extended strands are attached to braided hair. Your hair should be at least shoulder-length. If it is too short, then it is better to try other types of extensions.
- Higher cost when compared to other hair extension types. Hand-tied wefts are more expensive than fusion, tape-ins, clip-ins, and machine wefts.
- Although the application process and removal process don't take much time, the manufacture of hand-tied wefts is rather time-consuming. You will need to wait about 2-3 weeks before the hair tech makes a weft according to your parameters.
Another crucial point to consider is that not all hairstylists have mastered this technique, so it's important to review the portfolio and check the feedback from previous clients of the hair tech.
How to Install Sew in Hair Extensions
Let’s dwell in detail on how do sew in extensions work:
- At first, the hair tech creates a thin braid around the head. This braid must not be very loose (extended hair will be poorly fixed) or tight (there is a risk to provoke a weakening of the roots and hair fall-out). Before installation hair pro defines the number of wefts, hair length, color and the placement pattern depending on the thickness of your natural hair and the result you want to achieve..
- Then a ready-made weft is sewn into the braid. In this technique, the hair is not divided into separate areas, it is applied as a whole “curtain” to the client's hair. A special thread and a curved needle are used for the installation. They allow the weft to be attached securely without using glue or heat tools.
- Extended strands should be placed under the natural hair to cover the place of weft fixation. The correct placement of the rows is what makes the extensions look as natural as possible in everyday wear and helps prevent the attachment points from showing when the hair moves. On average, wefts are installed about 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) away from the hairline to keep the hair moving naturally and avoid irritation around the roots.
- Many clients also wonder how long do sew in extensions take to install, especially before their first appointment. A full installation usually takes between 1.5 and 3 hours (3 hours only in rare cases), depending on the number of rows, the type of wefts, the thickness of the natural hair, and how much blending is needed to achieve the desired blend.
- During the reapplication procedure, the stylist first takes off the wefts and unbraids the hair. Next, a new braid is made and the weft is re-sewn into it. In no case do not cut the hand-tied weft as it will damage it and the hair will start getting out of the weft!
How to Take Out Sew in Extensions
Not sure how to take out sew in extensions without damaging your own hair and the wefts? Sew-in extensions are considered one of the safest extension techniques, and proper removal is very important.
The removal process is usually done by a stylist and includes several steps:
- First, the hair professional lifts and secures the top layers of hair to access the rows and attachment points of the wefts.
- Then the stylist carefully cuts and removes the sewing thread. Never cut the weft yourself, especially hand-tied wefts, as it can come apart if cut.
- After the thread is removed, the weft is gently separated from the braid without pulling on the hair.
- Next, the braids used for the installation are undone. It is normal to see shed hairs inside the braid, as naturally shed hairs collect there over time.
- The final step is usually cleansing the scalp and washing the hair before a new installation or a break from wearing extensions.
Interested in how to remove sew in hair extensions at home?
Removing sew-ins yourself is possible if you already have experience, but mistakes can easily damage both the extensions and your natural hair.
If you decide to do it yourself, you risk:
- Accidentally cutting the hand-tied weft together with the sewing thread;
- Not fully removing the sewing thread and starting to remove the weft while it is still partially attached, creating tension and possible damage to the attachment area.
- Damage your own hair while untangling areas with shed hairs inside the braid.
That is why most stylists in the USA and Canada recommend removing sew-in extensions professionally by your hair tech.
How Often Should You Move Up Sew-In Hair Extensions?
On average, you can wear wefts for around 6-8 weeks, and then you need to get your hair extensions re-applied.
The time of wearing is affected by:
- The growth rate of your hair.
- How well you follow all the recommendations of the hair stylist: how you wash your head, how you comb, what comb you use, etc.
So how long can you keep sew in extensions? On average, sew-in extensions are worn for about 6–8 weeks after the installation. After that, you will need to visit your stylist for a maintenance appointment. During this appointment, the hair professional will move the wefts back up to the proper position, as they naturally move down while your hair grows.
What is the lifespan of sew-in hair extensions? Besides the wear time of one installation, it is also important to understand how long the hair itself can last.
The lifespan depends on the quality of the hair:
- Slavic hair usually keeps its structure and appearance for 12-18 months with proper care;
- Russian hair normally lasts around 9-12 months;
- European hair usually lasts about 6-12 months, depending on the processing and original hair quality*.
European hair can vary a lot in quality. It is important to make sure that the hair you choose has not gone through aggressive processing that damages the cuticle.
One way to spot this is by looking at the shine. If the hair has almost mirror-like shine, there is a good chance the bundles were coated with silicone to hide damage caused during processing. Once the silicone washes off (and this can happen after just one wash), the hair may become difficult to wear because the strands can start tangling and matting.
To avoid this problem, buy hair only from trusted suppliers who can guarantee that the original hair cuticle is still intact. This is exactly the type of hair we offer at I Love Slavic Hair. It is important for us that you are happy with both the look and the comfort of your extensions.
Many clients also ask, can you reuse sew in hair extensions.?
Yes. With careful wear, proper maintenance, and regular move-up appointments, wefts can be reused multiple times, especially when they are made from high-quality hair.
For more detailed information on overall longevity, you can refer to our related article “How Long Do Sew-in Extensions Last”.
How to Take Care of Sewn-in Hair Extensions
If you want your hairstyle to keep its salon look for as long as possible and stay comfortable to wear, it is important to understand how to maintain sew-in hair extensions. Regular and gentle home care helps keep both the extensions and your natural hair in good condition.
Let’s start with how to wash sew-in hair extensions:
- Wash your hair carefully, especially in the area of seamless attachment to your head, to remove dirt and residues of styling products. Wait at least 48-72 hours after attaching extensions before washing your hair for the first time.
- Avoid excessive heat styling: do not wash heads with hot water and avoid drying your hair with a hot air stream from the hair dryer.
- Ask your hair pro to recommend a suitable shampoo, mask, and conditioner without oils that could affect the wearing of weft extensions.
- Apply conditioner and hair masks mainly to the lengths of the hair. Too much product around the weft area can cause a buildup of sebum and product residue, make the rows heavier, and lead to the wefts slipping faster.
- Avoid rubbing the hair too hard and wash it as gently as possible. This helps prevent damage to your own hair and reduces tangling around the weft attachment area.
- Always dry your hair completely after washing. Constant moisture around the attachment points can cause scalp irritation and may also lead to tangling near the roots and around the wefts.
- Another important question is how to sleep with sew-in extensions, because poor nighttime care can increase tangling and create extra tension on the roots.
For more comfortable wear and to help your sew-ins last longer, we at I Love Slavic Hair recommend:
- Do not go to bed with wet hair. While you sleep, wet strands experience more friction, which makes them tangle more easily. Around the roots and weft rows, dense knots can form much faster, and later they can be difficult to brush out without damaging your natural hair.
- Always detangle the lengths before going to sleep. Small knots can appear during the day, and if they are not removed before bed, they can turn into real mats overnight. This increases the stress on your own hair.
- Maintain the right condition of your hair extensions at night by either tying your hair in a loose ponytail or braiding it. Avoid creating excessive tension on the roots and scalp.
- You can also maintain the quality of your hair using pillowcases and scrunchies made of 100% mulberry silk to avoid excessive rubbing of the hair and prevent it from becoming brittle and dry. This will help you enjoy your fantastic style for as long as possible.
There are also general recommendations that help increase service life of sew-in extensions:
- To make wearing extensions as comfortable as possible, use a special brush for hair extensions to keep your hair smooth and detangle any knots.
- Do not brush your hair too aggressively, especially when it is wet.
- Make sure to get your maintenance appointments on time and do not wear your extensions longer than recommended. As your natural hair grows, the braid and weft move lower, which can put extra tension on the roots. The rows may also become more visible and increase the risk of tangling.
Check out more about the highlights of proper care in our blog How Do You Take Care of Hair Extensions?
The professional skills of the hair stylist and the quality of hair used. Chinese and Indian hair is heavy and visually different from the hair of most North American people. In addition, they undergo aggressive treatment that destroys hair cuticles. As a result, such material becomes extremely uncomfortable to wear.
The weft itself can last you for more than one year if made out of high-quality hair (of course), with the right treatment and on-time reapplications.
Choose the best quality products from I Love Slavic Hair - and enjoy your beautiful hairstyle!
How Much Are Sewn-in Extensions?
Ready to try this type of hair extensions?
Then you will probably be interested to know how much are sew in hair extensions.
The price is affected by:
- The hair type you choose. Slavic hair is more expensive than other raw materials. Wefts out of such material are made upon individual request only. Accordingly, you will have to pay more. The price range for a 45 cm bundle is US$580-960 per 100 grams. This variation in prices is because Slavic hair bundles have different weights, colors, and structures that affect their prices.
However, most often clients order hand-tied wefts made of Russian dyed hair. The average cost of a 45 cm bundle is US$500 per 100. - Weight of the bundle: the more it is, the more expensive it will cost.
- Length of the bundle. The longer your hair is, the more it costs. For example, 50 cm long hair will cost about US$20 more than a 45 cm ($520) bundle. And the price of 55 centimeters is about US$540.
- Cost of installation. Cost of services of your hair tech. Depending on the experience of the stylist, the city, and the complexity of the work, installation prices can vary a lot. In the USA and Canada, prices range from more affordable salon services to premium installations, which directly affects how much do sew in extensions cost to install. On average, hair professionals charge around $200–600 USD for installation, while premium salons and well-known extension specialists may charge $600–1000+ USD.
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Choosing the Best Sew-in Hair Extensions for You
Choosing the right extensions has a big impact on how natural your hairstyle will look and how long you will be able to wear it.
We have collected some important tips to help you choose the best human hair sew in extensions:
- First of all, it is always better to choose 100% human hair sew-ins, because they look and feel the most natural, are easier to style, and keep their beautiful appearance much longer.
- It is also important that the hair texture matches your natural hair. This makes the final result more seamless. For fine hair, Slavic hair is usually the best option. For medium or from medium-to-thick hair density, Russian (dyed) hair is often a great choice. For very thick and dense hair, European hair can work very well. If you are looking for a premium result and long-term wear, Slavic hair extensions remain the top choice because they are soft, have a natural shine, and can last a long time with proper care.
- Hair texture and color are also very important. In the Russian and European hair categories, the hair is dyed and comes in a wide range of shades and textures, from perfectly straight to slightly wavy or tighter coils. Slavic hair is collected from a single donor and is not dyed, so every bundle has its own unique color, weight, length, and texture.
- Do not forget about the length. At I Love Slavic Hair, we are always happy to help you choose the best option for your goals. For example, if you purchase a bundle that is 18 inches (about 45 cm) long, some of that length will be used when making the weft. The finished result will be around 16-17 inches (41-44 cm) long. We offer both ready-made machine wefts and custom-made hand tied wefts.
- Another important factor is volume distribution. An experienced stylist will choose the number of rows and the amount of hair based on your natural hair, desired length, and the final look you want to achieve. That is why the answer to how many rows of sew in extensions do I need is always individual and should be discussed with your hair tech during a consultation.
- Special attention should also be paid to the type of weft. Custom-made hand tied wefts are considered a more premium option because they lay flatter against the scalp, look less visible, and adapt better to the shape of the head. As a result, they usually feel more comfortable and less noticeable during daily wear.
- Machine wefts, on the other hand, are often chosen for fuller and denser installations. They are usually a better option for people with naturally thick hair and for those who want a more dramatic result. They are also frequently selected when faster installation and a more budget-friendly solution are important.
Let Us Help You Find A Perfect Match
Achieve your dream hairstyle with top-quality virgin Slavic, Russian, and European hair extensions that can be dyed, styled, and treated just like your own hair.
We can help you to find the perfect hair match in 3 easy steps:
Fill out our questionnaire
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MATCH ME5 Reasons to Shop Sew-In Extensions at I Love Slavic Hair
Want to know the answer to the most important question: where can I buy hair wefts for sew-in extensions? I Love Slavic Hair is ready to help you!
In the online store of our brand you will find a large selection of best-quality hand-tied weft extensions:
- Top quality hair.
- Hand-tied wefts are made according to your specifications: you can choose any type of hair, desired weight, size, texture, hair type, and shade. And also specify the width and number of wefts you need.
- Delicate processing of products according to all modern standards. It preserves the natural cuticle of the hair. You will be able to wear this hairstyle for as long as possible!
- The specialists of the company are always ready to assist you in the selection of the most suitable hair type and color!
- Affordable prices, as well as the option to place a wholesale order.
Now you know where to buy hair wefts and enjoy your perfect hairstyle!
FAQ
