Lace closures are a great way to protect your natural hair when you want to rock a flawless sew in. Its main purpose is to provide an invisible, undetectable hairline while providing the versatility of looking like your real hair.
My name is Lauren, and I’ve been a fan of lace closures for a very long time. While they can be handy at protecting your own hair, they can be frustrating to install.
Once a lace closure is installed properly, you can style your hair in a multitude of ways without the worry of your sew-in looking a hot mess.
I’ve spent many years testing out different ways to sew in a lace closure, and today I will give you two of the easiest methods.
Find out how it’s done below!
2 Best Ways to Sew In a Lace Closure
Here are my top methods for how to sew in a lace closure.
Method 1: Braid Pattern
Now to sew in a lace closure, you can try the braid pattern method which is the most common. Here are the tools you will need:
- Clips
- Pins
- A curve needle
- Nylon thread
- Elastic hair tie
Straight Back Cornrows
There are endless braid patterns that you can use when it comes to sewing in a lace closure but one that has stood the test of time are the straight back cornrows.
Straight back cornrows are simple and allow for middle, right side, and left side parting. After you have cornrowed the hair straight back, follow these steps:
Step 1: Insert the thread through the loop of your curved needle and make a knot at the end. Here you can also begin wrapping the hair from the closure into a loose bun with the elastic band or clips here, to hold the hair out of the way.
Step 2: Place your lace closure towards the hairline, making sure to line it up in the middle of your head.
Step 3: Anchor one side of the lace closure with pins or clips, and begin sewing down the opposite side of the closure. Take the needle under the braid so that your lace closure will lay down flat.
Step 4: Continue towards the back, making your way towards the opposite side, removing any clips or pins in your way.
Step 5: Once you get to the end, loop the thread to make a knot and cut off any remaining thread.
Trim the excess lace at the end and voila, you have sewn in your lace closure. Depending on what kind of lace closure you use, customization is optional.
Method 2: Wig Cap
The wig cap method offers another layer of protection to your natural hair and can serve as a base when it comes to installs. You can use a skin toned wig cap or mesh one of your choices. This is what you will need:
- Clips
- Pins
- A spandex wig cap
- A curve needle
- Nylon thread
- Elastic hair tie
Net vs. Wig Cap
Using a net is another alternative to wig caps, but serves the same purpose. It allows you to sew in the wefts in the netting as opposed to sewing on the braids. This gives you a cleaner look. After you cornrow your hair in the preferred braid pattern, follow these steps:
Step 1: Insert the thread through the loop of your curved needle and make a knot at the end. Here you can also begin wrapping the hair from the closure into a loose bun with the elastic band or clips here, to hold the hair out of the way.
Step 2: Apply your wig cap or net and stretch it across the head. Start on one side and begin sewing it down around the perimeter of the head. Make sure to trim any of the excess cap or net that hangs off the braids.
Step 2: Position your lace closure towards the hairline, making sure to line it up in the middle of your head.
Step 3: Anchor one side of the lace closure with pins or clips, and begin sewing down the opposite side of the closure. Take the needle under the braid so that your lace closure will lay down flat.
Step 4: Continue towards the back, making your way towards the opposite side, removing any clips or pins as you go.
Step 5: Once you get to the end, loop the thread to make a knot and cut off any remaining thread.
Trim the excess lace at the end half an inch before your hairline. Now you have sewn in your lace closure. Depending on what kind of lace closure you use, customization is optional here.
FAQs
Here are some common questions that you should know when it comes to sewing in a lace closure.
How Many Bundles for a Full Sew In with Closure?
You can typically use 2-3 bundles with a sew in and lace closure for a full look. Sometimes 4 is possible if you want a very full look.
Many stylists will recommend 3 bundles and depending on your head size you may not use all of them. It’s better to come prepared with more hair than less, just in case you’re running into any issues.
Some stylists will also double the tracks and this is common when adding additional bundles.
How to Sew In a Parted Closure?
Sewing in a free part, middle part, or side part closure will follow the same methods mentioned above. Positioning is the only thing that might change depending on the closure you use.
If you are using a side part closure, then you will probably position the closure closer to the side that you want to wear the part. Free part and middle part closures will work just fine in the middle of your head. You can consult with your stylist if you are unsure.
Wrap Up
Using a lace closure for your installs provides great benefits and will leave your sew-ins looking more natural and flawless than traditional methods. Learning how to sew in a lace closure will take practice and patience but can be very rewarding once you master the steps. Take your time and try with different closures to find one that you are comfortable with.