Want to add some sparkle and pizzazz to your wardrobe? Learning how to bedazzle clothes can be daunting, but with a little know-how and the right materials, you can bedazzle with the best of them.  Find out everything you need to know about bedazzling clothes right here, including how to choose the best clothing items, pick the right rhinestones, and collect helpful tools so you can create gorgeous designs that last.  Table of Contents Choosing the Right Clothes and Rhinestones for Your Project Essential Tools and Supplies for Bedazzling Clothes Step-by-Step Process for Bedazzling Any Garment Popular Clothing Items To Bedazzle Design Ideas and Placement Tips Choosing the Right Clothes and Rhinestones for Your Project To create beautiful bedazzled clothes, you have to start with the right materials. Certain fabrics work better than others for bedazzling, and you also need to choose the best rhinestones for your project.  Best Fabrics The ideal fabrics for bedazzling have a rough texture that’s thick enough for the glue to fuse firmly. Many synthetic fabrics, such as nylon or spandex, are difficult to bedazzle. They’re slippery, so the glue can’t adhere properly. It is possible to bedazzle these materials; you just need to be more precise and attentive with your glue application. The best fabrics to use for bedazzling include: Denim Cotton Leather Canvas Velvet Twill Tweed Suede These materials can handle the weight of crystals and hold onto glue well.  If it’s your first time bedazzling clothes, start with items you don’t care about. Nailing your bedazzled look can take some practice. Hone your skills on inexpensive thrifted clothes or old items. Rhinestone Types You have a few options for rhinestones, including flatback rhinestones, hotfix rhinestones, crystal rhinestones, and acrylic rhinestones.  Hotfix rhinestones have built-in adhesive on the back, so you don’t need additional glue. When you apply heat, the glue on the back of the rhinestone melts, adhering the crystal to the fabric. Flatback rhinestones don’t have built-in adhesive, so you need to use glue to secure them. However, you do not need any heat tools.  Crystal rhinestones offer premium sparkle and shine, making them wonderful for creating glittery clothes.  Acrylic rhinestones are usually lighter, so they won’t weigh down thin, airy fabrics.  The best rhinestone to use for your project depends on what materials you already have and what application technique you’re more comfortable with. When it comes to choosing from different crystal sizes and colors, you can be as wild or reserved as you want. Use the same crystal sizes and shapes for a more uniform, paved look. Or mix and match shapes and sizes for a dynamic and textured appearance.  Clear crystals always look fabulous on clothing and work with every color, enhancing the garment without changing it too much. For something flashier, you can use a range of colors to contrast the garment or create a bold monochromatic style.  How many crystals you need depends entirely on the project (or projects). Planet Rhinestone offers packs that come with just a few hundred glass crystal rhinestones or kits with thousands of large jelly rhinestones, catering to craft projects big and small. And when you shop with us, you get far more options than at typical craft stores.  Essential Tools and Supplies for Bedazzling Clothes The adhesive technique you use is important: E6000 craft glue: Offers a strong, permanent hold Gem-Tac permanent adhesive: Perfect for flexible fabrics Heat Application Tools: Irons, heat presses, and rhinestone setters for hotfix rhinestones Working with these tiny gems is tricky. Even just adding one crystal row beneath another can go awry if you’re using your fingers. Use application tools to help you place them precisely, such as: Wax pencils Tweezers Rhinestone pickup tools Gem pickers For designs that sparkle with creativity, you need to plan out the rhinestone arrangement. Create your design before committing to it using: Transfer pencils Stencils Washable fabric markers Mapping patterns It’s also crucial to set up a clear work surface. Place a piece of cardboard inside your garment if possible. This prevents adhesive from bleeding through and accidentally fusing two layers of fabric. Be sure to use a large, flat surface, laying the garment completely flat while you work.  All these tools and materials can feel like a lot, but Planet Rhinestone makes it easy to get everything you need! Shop complete bedazzling kits that come with the adhesives and tools you need to bedazzle like a pro.  Step-by-Step Process for Bedazzling Any Garment Follow the detailed step-by-step guide below for how to bedazzle clothes, from prepping the fabric to testing the bond. 1. Prepare the Fabric Wash your garment beforehand, unless it’s something you don’t plan on washing regularly, such as a denim jacket. Do not use fabric softener or other laundry additives, and dry it however you normally would.  This removes chemical sizing and pre-shrinks the garment, preventing rhinestones from dislodging later when it shrinks.  2. Plan Your Design Use your design supplies! You can use stencils or templates and washable fabric markers to sketch the design on the garment. Just be sure you know where you want to put rhinestones before you begin using the adhesive.  3. Apply Your Rhinestones Follow the process below based on what kind of rhinestones you’re using. Application for Flatback Rhinestones Apply the glue directly to the fabric, placing small dots where you plan to put the crystals and working in small sections. For example, you can do a small square or a single row of glue dots to start.  Then, using a gem picker tool or wax pencil, carefully place one rhinestone on each glue dot. Apply gentle but firm pressure to fuse the rhinestone to the fabric.  Application for Hotfix Rhinestones Start by placing a small section or single row of rhinestones on the fabric according to your design plan.  Once you have arranged the rhinestones how you want them, apply heat using even, light pressure. Hold your heat tool against the fabric and stones for 10 to 20 seconds to affix them. The larger the stone, the longer you should apply heat.  4. Dry and Cure After you’ve secured all your rhinestones to the fabric, let the adhesive dry. Allow the garment to lie flat or hang in a cool, dry, ventilated area for 24 to 48 hours.  5. Do a Test Wash When the adhesive has cured and dried completely, we recommend performing a test wash on the garment. Turn the clothing inside out before washing to protect the rhinestones.  It’s best to let the clothing air dry, but you can use tumble dry, cool dry, or low heat settings on your dryer.  Popular Clothing Items To Bedazzle Need some project inspiration? Explore these sparkly ideas for your next project.  Easy Beginner Projects Start with easy materials for bedazzling, like denim, cotton, or twill. These ideas are good for beginners: Add stars to your denim jacket sleeves Put your initials on a beanie or baseball cap Bedazzle the pocket of your jean jacket Put studs on your T-shirt collar Intermediate Projects When you feel more confident, play around with bigger designs and trickier garments. Bulky sweatshirts and pants can be harder to work with, but completely worth it. Try these ideas: Add rhinestones along the seams of your jeans Bedazzle your name on the back of a hoodie Create swirly designs on your jean shorts Place rhinestones along rips in your jeans Advanced Projects For the seasoned bedazzlers, you can experiment with full-garment bedazzling, intricate designs, and much more. Give these a go: Bedazzle an entire mini skirt or bodycon dress Create sparkly seashells on a cotton tank top Recreate a poster on the back of a jacket Add stones on bodysuits or corset tops along seams and boning Design Ideas and Placement Tips Before you start on your project, we have a few more tips and tricks for you to keep in mind: Start with simple designs and strategically placed sparkle so your clothes don’t look like costumes. Bedazzle along seams and natural garment lines. Balance rhinestone sizes and shapes in asymmetrical looks. Combine different crystal sizes, shapes, and colors for depth. Avoid placing rhinestones on elbows, knees, and other areas that will bend often. Most importantly, don’t rush through your project! Beautiful things take time.  Time To Make Your Garments Glitter Once you know how to bedazzle clothes, you can turn your wardrobe into a wonderland of sparkles and shimmer. With high-quality rhinestones, adhesive, and design tools from Planet Rhinestone, you have everything you need for dazzling looks. Shop our wide collection of glass gems, crystals, and other embellishments to get started! FAQs If you have more questions about how to bedazzle clothes, find answers below.  Will rhinestones fall off when I wash bedazzled clothes? If you bedazzle your clothes properly, the rhinestones should not fall off in the wash. The garment should survive dozens of gentle wash cycles! Strong adhesives, like Gem-Tac or E6000, create permanent bonds. Can I bedazzle stretchy fabrics like leggings? Yes! Synthetic fabrics can be tricky, but you can bedazzle fabrics like spandex using a flexible fabric adhesive like Gem-Tac. Try to apply your design to low-stretch areas, such as around your ankles.  Can I remove rhinestones if I make a mistake? You can try to remove rhinestones by reheating the adhesive with a hairdryer and then lifting them with tweezers. You can also try dissolving the adhesive with acetone or alcohol, but you risk damaging the fabric. These applications are meant to be permanent, so add rhinestones with care. How long does it take to bedazzle a piece of clothing? It depends on the size and complexity of your project and your experience. A small, simple design can take an hour or two, while a fully bedazzled piece of clothing can take up to 10 hours and multiple sessions to complete.

Add sparkle to every step with blinged-out sneakers or rhinestone-studded heels. If you want to know how to bedazzle shoes, you’re in the right place.  Learn about the tools and materials you need, the bedazzling process, popular project ideas, and where to get your supplies below. Table of Contents Choosing the Right Shoes and Rhinestones for Your Project Essential Tools and Materials for Bedazzling Shoes Step-by-Step Shoe Bedazzling Process Popular Design Ideas for Bedazzled Shoes Choosing the Right Shoes and Rhinestones for Your Project Be sure to choose the right pair of shoes and stones for the best results. Shoe materials like canvas, leather, and suede are ideal because adhesives fuse well to them, but avoid synthetic, slippery materials like nylon or spandex. Also, consider what you use the shoes for when choosing your materials, as your daily go-to sneakers might need stronger adhesives and simpler designs than kicks you plan to wear once for a special occasion. The best rhinestones for bedazzling shoes are flatback rhinestones or pearls that you secure with glue for a strong hold. Consider an assortment of sizes and shapes for a dynamic look, and don’t forget about color. Clear gems give you a subtle sparkle, and colorful ones make your design pop. If you need inspiration, popular canvases include high-top Converse, classic Vans, your favorite Nike shoes, your special wedding shoes, formal heels that need some sparkle, boring flip flops, or even rain boots. Essential Tools and Materials for Bedazzling Shoes Round up these essential tools for bedazzling before you get started to make sure you have strong adhesives, beautiful designs, clean shoes, and a look that lasts: Adhesive: We recommend E6000 glue because it’s strong and long-lasting, allowing for permanent, durable bedazzled designs.  Application tools: Tweezers, wax pencils, and rhinestone pickup tools help you create clean designs with precision. Design supplies: Use painter’s tape for flawless lines and paper templates for complex patterns to achieve a professional look. Prep materials: Make sure your shoes are as clean and dry as possible before you start. Use rubbing alcohol with cotton swabs or a microfiber towel to clean the surface and leave it bone-dry. Protective finish: It’s optional, but we highly recommend using a clear acrylic sealer after applying rhinestones to lock in the design and help it last longer through repeated wear.  Step-by-Step Shoe Bedazzling Process Now, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to bedazzle shoes like a pro.  1. Prep the Shoes Use shoe cleaner, baking soda, dish soap, laundry detergent, or distilled white vinegar to clean the shoes thoroughly. Allow them to air dry and then wipe the surface with rubbing alcohol to leave them squeaky clean. 2. Plan Your Design Create or buy stencils, sketch out patterns, lay out rhinestones flat without using adhesive yet, and mark up the shoes with tape for perfect alignment. It’s best to experiment with your design before bringing glue or heat tools into the equation.  3. Apply the Adhesive When you settle on your design, place a few tiny dots of glue where you plan to put the rhinestones. Use a small tool like a toothpick to apply the adhesive.  4. Place the Rhinestones Use your tweezers or other placement tools to add one rhinestone at a time directly onto the tiny dots of glue. Apply slight pressure as you place the rhinestones to help the adhesive fuse them to the textile.  5. Allow Time for Curing The E6000 glue takes 24–48 hours to dry. Leave the shoes in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight while the adhesive sets. Don’t wear them yet or fiddle with the rhinestones during this time. 6. Seal the Design (Optional) If you decide to use a clear sealer coat on top, apply this after the initial 24-hour drying period. Then let the shoes dry for another 24–48 hours.  Popular Design Ideas for Bedazzled Shoes If you need more inspiration, consider these design ideas: Full coverage: Go full bling by adding rhinestones to every inch of the shoe, including the upper, toe cap, and rubber sides. Accent details: A little sparkle goes a long way, so bedazzle logos, add stripes, or create artsy designs for a unique accented look. Ombre effects: Use different rhinestone sizes, colors, or spacing to create mesmerizing ombre effects. Monograms and text: Personalize by adding names, initials, numbers, and other words with rhinestones.  Bridal shoes: Create shoes for your special day with white and silver rhinestones, clear gems, pearls, and accents. Make Your Shoes Shine You never have to wear boring footwear again now that you know how to bedazzle shoes. With cute shoes, strong adhesive, helpful tools, top-quality rhinestones, and some design inspiration, you can make every shoe shine.  Get everything you need for your fancy footwear projects at Planet Rhinestone, the ultimate destination for rhinestones, gems, and bedazzling supplies! FAQs Find more helpful information below.  Will rhinestones fall off my shoes when I wear them? If you apply the rhinestones properly, the design should be permanent. E6000 is a permanent adhesive, but flexible enough to withstand wear and long-term use. Can I bedazzle any type of shoe? Tragically, not every shoe can be bedazzled. It makes us sad too, but luckily, there’s still plenty of footwear bedazzling to do. Choose materials like suede, leather, and canvas. If you want to use synthetics, roughen the surface with sandpaper so the adhesive can better grip the material. How long does it take to bedazzle a pair of shoes? It depends on the design! Bedazzling a logo and other small, simple designs can take 2–4 hours. Full-coverage or more complex and intricate designs can take 8–12 hours, divided into several sessions. This doesn’t include drying time. Where can I buy supplies for bedazzling shoes? Planet Rhinestone is your one-stop shop for shoe bedazzling tools! You can find professional-grade rhinestones, E6000 adhesive, helpful application tools, design inspiration, and more to get you started.

Prom season calls for something memorable, and nothing delivers quite like a custom embellished prom dress.  Designing your own embellished prom dress puts you in control of every glittering detail. From subtle accents to all-over bling, rhinestones and appliques offer endless possibilities for customization. Your dream dress is closer than you might think. Let's explore design inspiration, material selection, and application techniques to bring your vision of an embellished prom dress to life, with the help of the experts at Planet Rhinestone. Table of Contents Customizing Store-Bought Dresses With Embellishments Popular Embellished Prom Dress Styles and Trends Choosing the Right Embellishments for Your Dress Style DIY Rhinestone Application Techniques for Prom Dresses Applique and Lace Embellishment Options Customizing Store-Bought Dresses With Embellishments Why settle for a cookie-cutter dress when you can create your dream look? It all starts with a foundation — a dress that fits you perfectly. Then, you make it uniquely yours through customization and embellishment. Start by purchasing a simple gown in your desired silhouette. Whether you're browsing racks of prom dresses in person or shopping around online, look for quality in clean lines and sturdy construction. Simple prom dresses provide the perfect blank canvas for rhinestone and applique work. When you're ready to shop for supplies, Planet Rhinestone offers an extensive collection of both hotfix and flatback rhinestones perfect for beginning your project. It's far more affordable than buying a pre-embellished dress, but more importantly, you get full creative control. Maybe you've already found a dress but wish it had more sparkle. You can enhance an existing dress with rhinestones, creating full coverage that transforms a minimally or moderately decorated gown into a head-turning masterpiece. Or, maybe you have an older dress from a previous formal event. That gown from homecoming or a sibling's hand-me-down can feel completely refreshed and modernized with updated embellishments. When planning your design, consider the complete picture. Match embellishments to jewelry, shoes, or a clutch to create a coordinated aesthetic. When rhinestone patterns align with the sparkle in your accessories, it pulls the whole look together seamlessly. Popular Embellished Prom Dress Styles and Trends Every prom season brings fresh trends, but embellished styles remain timeless favorites. Here's what captures attention right now.  All-Over Sparkle All-over sparkle dominates prom dress trends. With full-coverage rhinestone bodices creating maximum glamour, these designs catch every ray of light, both on the dance floor and in your photographs. It's the perfect choice for anyone ready to make an unforgettable entrance. Geometric Patterns  Geometric patterns offer a modern twist on the traditional rhinestone placement. Think structured lines and architectural shapes that feel both contemporary and timeless. These designs pair beautifully with minimalist silhouettes and clean lines. Ombre Effects Create visual depth through an ombre effect, or a gradual transition from heavy to light embellishment. For example, a bodice that's densely sparkled at the top, gradually fading to scattered stones toward the waistline, creates a stunning gradient effect that draws the eye upward. Mixed Media A mixed media approach combines rhinestones with beading, sequins, or lace appliques for dimensional texture. The combination of different elements creates rich, complex designs that stand out from the crowd. Choosing the Right Embellishments for Your Dress Style To choose the right embellishments, use your dress as the guide. Different styles call for different approaches to achieve the most flattering results.  Ball Gowns For ball gown silhouettes, consider dramatic embellishments around the bodice with minimal sparkle in the skirt. The voluminous skirt already makes a powerful statement. Adding some detailed work on the fitted bodice balances everything out for perfect harmony.  Form-Fitting Dresses Form-fitting, long prom dresses, like mermaid or sheath style dresses, benefit from vertical rhinestone lines. This creates an elongating, slimming effect. Place stones along seams or in columns that draw the eye from the neckline to the hem. This technique enhances the fitted silhouette's natural lines while adding definition.  A-Line Silhouettes A-line silhouettes offer the most versatility, serving as a canvas for any level of embellishment. Whether you want an all-over sparkle bodice or scattered stones throughout, A-lines rise to meet every creative vision. Two-Piece Dresses Two-piece dresses allow for creative embellishments on the midriff-baring top. These rhinestone patterns become the focal point, drawing attention to your waist and creating a youthful, on-trend prom look. When designing your dream rhinestone placement, consider what would suit your body type. Strategic embellishment pulls the eye to your favorite features — shoulders, waistline, or back — while creating visual balance. Shiny elements naturally attract the eye, so place them right where you want emphasis.  DIY Rhinestone Application Techniques for Prom Dresses Ready to start applying? There are three main methods for securing rhinestones to your embellished prom dress, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a look.  1. Hotfix Method This method uses heat-activated rhinestones with adhesive on the back. Using a hotfix applicator tool or a regular craft iron, you press the rhinestone where you want it and apply heat, melting the glue and bonding the stone to the fabric. This creates permanent, wash-resistant bonds ideal for most synthetic fabrics. Hotfix application goes quickly once you get into the rhythm, making it perfect for larger projects.  2. Glue Application With a strong fabric-specific adhesive, like E6000, glue application is more versatile, as it adapts to most rhinestone types. Glue also works on surfaces where hotfix won't stick, like plastic, metal, or heavily textured fabric. Apply adhesive sparingly using a toothpick or precision tip bottle. Excess glue can squeeze out around the edges, which can dull your dress's sparkle. Allow proper drying time (24 hours is ideal) before wearing or handling.  3. Hand-Sewing Hand sewing is the most durable method for high-movement areas like bodices that stretch and flex while walking, running, or dancing. Sew-on rhinestones feature pre-drilled holes for threading. This technique takes the longest and is the most labor-intensive, but it ensures stones stay on through years of wear.  Before touching your dress, create a paper template first to ensure a balanced, symmetrical design before application. Trace your dress sections onto craft paper, sketch your pattern, and then transfer placement marks to the actual garment using tailor's chalk or water-soluble markers. Work slowly in small, even sections. Complete one area at a time, stepping back regularly to assess placement and coverage. It's better to work methodically than rush and regret messy rhinestone placement. Applique and Lace Embellishment Options Beyond individual rhinestones, appliques offer another dimension to the world of dress embellishment. These pre-made motifs combine multiple elements in ready-to-apply designs.  Floral Appliques These add romantic texture to bodices or skirts. Available in countless styles, from delicate vine motifs to bold clusters of blooms, these pieces can instantly transform simple dresses into garden-inspired creations. Layer them along necklines, cascade down one shoulder, or cluster at one hip point for a floral print and dramatic effect.  Lace Overlays When combined with rhinestone accents, lace overlays have a vintage elegance perfect for formal events with classic dress codes. Apply lace panels to the bodice, then accent with rhinestones following the lace patterns. The combination of delicate fabric and sparkling stones feels timeless and sophisticated.  3D Floral Embellishments Forget flat with these sculptural 3D designs that literally pop off the surface of the dress. These floral pieces are conversation starters, drawing the eye to wherever you place them. Or, go bold and use them to cover the entire bodice.  Metallic Appliques Gold, silver, and rose gold metallic appliques catch light differently than crystal rhinestones, creating an interesting contrast. Mix them with crystal accents to combine contemporary and glamorous, or go all metallic for a modern edge over traditional sparkle.  Create Something Unforgettable With Planet Rhinestone The perfect prom dress shouldn't exist only in magazines or store windows. With quality supplies, creative vision, and the techniques covered here, you can create an embellished prom dress that reflects your personal style and makes prom night unforgettable. From selecting the right rhinestones to mastering application methods, every step brings you closer to your dream dress.  Ready to start your project? Planet Rhinestone offers professional-grade rhinestones, appliques, adhesives, and tools, plus endless design inspiration for custom prom dress creations. Shop our collections today to bring your vision to life.  FAQs How long does it take to embellish a prom dress?  Simple accent designs take four to eight hours for placement and application. Heavy-duty jobs like full bodice coverage and dense rhinestone patterns may take longer, up to 40 hours spread over several sessions. That's why it's so important to start early and work in manageable increments to ensure quality results.  Will added embellishments make my dress too heavy?  Individual rhinestones add minimal weight to most long or short prom dresses. Even extensive coverage typically only adds a total of one to two pounds — not enough to really feel the difference. Quality dress construction with proper stitching and boning handles this additional weight comfortably, without affecting how the dress hangs or moves.  Can I wash an embellished prom dress?  Professional dry cleaning is strongly recommended for embellished garments. Hotfix rhinestones typically withstand cleaning better than glued applications when properly applied and cared for. Always point out embellished areas to your cleaner so they can take appropriate precautions.  Where can I find supplies for DIY prom dress embellishment?  Planet Rhinestone offers everything you need for custom prom dress projects — professional-grade rhinestones in every size and color, appliques, adhesives, application tools, and design inspiration. Our extensive selection and competitive pricing make us the go-to for costume designers, dressmakers, and DIY creators alike.