Bedazzling clothes is a popular hobby and a fun way to jazz up your wardrobe. Whether you’re a newbie who wants to add some sparkle to your style or a long-time bedazzler looking for expert tips, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover how to prepare clothing for bedazzling, choose the right rhinestones and tools, and add rhinestones to your garments, so you know precisely how to put rhinestones on clothes like a pro.
Table of Contents
- Does it Matter How You Prep Before Applying Rhinestones?
- What Tools Do You Need To Apply Rhinestones to Clothes?
- How Do You Put Rhinestones on Clothes Step by Step?
- Which Approach Works Best for Different Projects?
Does it Matter How You Prep Before Applying Rhinestones?
It definitely matters how you prep clothing and fabric before applying rhinestones. And there are a few different ways you can go about this, depending on your fabric.
A big question: Should I pre-wash the clothes? The answer is a resounding yes. Whether you’ve worn these clothes before or they’re brand-new, you should wash them as you normally would, but without any fabric softener. This will remove dirt and oil buildup on worn clothes, and remove any excess chemicals and finishes on new clothes. You also want to pre-shrink the clothes. A new garment may shrink substantially after the first wash and dry, and if you bedazzle first, your design could scrunch together and end up ruined.
Another smart prep step is ironing. This isn’t always necessary if the fabric doesn’t wrinkle easily or is already completely flat. However, if your garment has any creases or wrinkles, it can be difficult to bedazzle. Smooth out those wrinkles to ensure your rhinestones can lie flat and adhere fully.
An overlooked part of the preparation process is selecting the right rhinestones. You can’t use just any rhinestones for any clothing project. For example, hotfix rhinestones are excellent for sturdier fabrics, like canvas, cotton, denim, and polyester blends. However, you should not use heat tools on more delicate materials, such as silk, chiffon, mesh, nylon, and tulle. A heat press or heat wand may scorch or melt these fabrics, so flatback rhinestones and adhesive are a better choice.
What Tools Do You Need To Apply Rhinestones to Clothes?
The necessary tools depend on what type of rhinestones you choose to use and how you go about placing your designs. Below is an overview of the most common and helpful tools you may need:
- Heat Tools: If you’re using hotfix rhinestones, you need a heat tool, like a hotfix applicator wand, clothing iron, or heat press. Planet Rhinestone’s applicator wand offers an easy way to attach rhinestones by activating the glue while it sits against the fabric.
- Adhesives: If you’re using flatback stones, you need rhinestone glue or adhesive. For fabric, we recommend Gem-Tac fabric glue, but E6000 is another wonderful option, and it’s excellent for applying rhinestones to other materials too. Hot glue guns are also useful. Look for fine-tip glue applicators that help you avoid applying too much glue.
- Pickup and Placement Tools: It’s hard to pick up and place tiny individual rhinestones with your fingers, so you should get tools like wax pencils, rhinestone pickup tools, and tweezers. These help you position rhinestones with precision for professional-looking results.
- Rhinestone Brush and Templates: If you plan to use a rhinestone template, use a rhinestone brush to set the stones into the template spots. These tools help you create intricate designs with perfect placement and make it easier to bring your vision to life.
How Do You Put Rhinestones on Clothes Step by Step?
Ready to start bedazzling? Here are step-by-step instructions for applying rhinestones to fabric. First, we’ll cover the process for how to adhere rhinestones using the hotfix method, then how to apply flatback rhinestones with glue.
Hotfix Method
Here’s how to use hotfix rhinestones on fabric.
1. Plan Your Design
Whether you’re using rhinestone templates, fabric chalk, or washable fabric markers, take the time to map out your design on the garment before you glue rhinestones. Once you apply heat, the bond is permanent.
2. Place Rhinestones
Using your template or markings, place your rhinestones where you want them. Start with a small section first, then move on to the next step.
3. Turn on Your Heat Applicator
Warm up your rhinestone heat wand, iron, or heat press fully. If the temperature isn't at least 325ºF, the glue will not adhere to the fabric, and you’ll have rhinestones falling off the garment.
4. Apply Heat
With rhinestones in place and heat tools warmed up, you can start adhering the rhinestones. Apply gentle, even, and firm pressure to the rhinestones for 10–15 seconds using the heat tool.
5. Complete Application
Repeat steps 2–4 until your design is complete. If you make a mistake, remove and readjust that rhinestone immediately.
6. Let Stones Cool
Give the glue and rhinestones at least 24 hours to cool down fully and bond to the fabric. Do not touch or move the garment during the cooling process, and leave it in a cool, dry place.
Glue Method
Now, here’s how to put rhinestones on clothes with glue:
1. Plan Your Design
Like with hotfix stones, you should use washable markers, fabric chalk, or a rhinestone template to plan your design.
2. Apply Glue
Once you know exactly where each rhinestone will go, you can begin adding glue. It’s important to get the amount of glue just right. Too little glue will result in a weak bond, but excess glue will spill over and cloud the stone. Use one small dot slightly smaller than the stone's back, and work in small sections.
3. Place Rhinestones
Using a pickup tool, tweezers, or wax pencil, place the rhinestones on their designated dots of glue. Position them so that the glue is in the center of the gem, and press down with gentle, even pressure.
4. Finish Your Design
Working in sections, repeat steps 2–3 until you’ve finished your design.
5. Allow Glue To Cure
Similar to a hotfix application, the curing process is pivotal. Do not touch or move the garment for at least 24 hours.
Which Approach Works Best for Different Projects?
For projects on denim, canvas, and more structured, durable garments, you can use hotfix stones. The tight weaves allow for a strong bond with the heat-activated glue. And if you’re making a collection of garments, we recommend using hotfix stones in tandem with rhinestone templates so you can complete each piece faster and keep them uniform.
For most other fabrics, you should use rhinestone glue. Heat can ruin delicate materials like silk and mesh. Also, rhinestone glue and flatback stones are best for shoes and other accessories, as harder materials can also be damaged by the heat.
Time to Bedazzle All Your Clothes
Now that you understand how to put rhinestones on clothes, you can turn your entire closet into a dazzling wardrobe. Clothing is one of the most fun, bedazzling projects, so we encourage you to give it a try. For all your rhinestone clothing needs, shop Planet Rhinestone for gems, glue, heat tools, and more!
FAQs
Find answers to common application questions below.
Can hotfix rhinestones be applied to any fabric?
No, but they work for many everyday fabrics, including cotton, denim, polyester, and canvas. Fabrics like silk are too delicate for heat application. When in doubt, do a patch test on a hidden piece of the garment to see if the heat scorches or melts it.
Do glued rhinestones survive machine washing?
Yes, if you properly adhere the rhinestones and let them cure fully, the garment and rhinestones should be able to survive gentle washing cycles. To protect the rhinestones, turn the garment inside out before washing and allow it to air dry.
Is a rhinestone template necessary for beginners?
No, but it can help you with spacing and make the application process much faster. If you’re just starting, consider using templates for your first few designs.