How to Apply Rhinestones to Dance Costumes
Embellishing with rhinestones can elevate dance costumes from dull to dazzling, as well as highlight dancers’ movements across the dance floor. Because dancers require outfits that allow them to move freely and quickly in many positions, it may be a challenge to add rhinestones to dance outfits. However, when applied properly, the rhinestones will remain intact through many performances, as well as withstand rounds of washing and dry-cleaning.
Things You'll Need
- Hot fix rhinestones (rhinestones with heat-activated adhesive on the back)
- Hot fix applicator wand
- Tweezers
- Protective sheet, such as a Teflon sheet or thin cookie sheet
Instructions
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1
Determine where you want to place the rhinestones on the dance costume. If necessary, use a tailor’s chalk or temporary fabric pen to make markings on the fabric to use as a guide when affixing the rhinestones.
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2
Place your fabric face-up on a solid, flat surface, with a protective layer, such as a Teflon sheet or thin cookie sheet, underneath the fabric, in case the adhesive goes through to the other side of the fabric. Place the rhinestones face-up on your work surface next to the fabric.
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3
Attach to the hot fix wand the correct applicator tip that matches the size of the rhinestones you will be using. Plug in the hot-fix wand and turn it on. Wait several minutes for the wand to heat up, carefully following all of the manufacturer’s instructions.
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4
Pick up a rhinestone using tweezers and position the rhinestone on the fabric with the rhinestone’s adhesive side face-down, contacting the fabric. While you may use the applicator’s concave tip to pick up the rhinestone, using tweezers instead to position the rhinestone provides greater placement control and accuracy.
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5
Gently press the applicator tip onto the rhinestone in a right angle, perpendicular to the fabric. Hold the tip in place, waiting a few seconds for the adhesive to melt. Lift the applicator wand away from the rhinestone in an up-and-down motion.
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6
Repeat the two previous steps with another rhinestone. Continue affixing the rhinestones to your dance costume until you have completed your design.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice affixing rhinestones on an inconspicuous part of your dance costume to help you determine the time and pressure for properly adhering your rhinestone to your fabric.
During application of the rhinestone, do not move the applicator tip around, and do not apply too much pressure with the wand. It may cause the adhesive to be spread too thin or may push the adhesive through the fabric, leaving you with an insufficient amount of adhesive to secure the rhinestone to the fabric.
Do not apply hot fix rhinestones to anything that can melt, such as plastic.
You can use a hand iron in place of a hot fix tool to adhere rhinestones to fabric. However, it is not recommended due to the lack of control over temperature and pressure.
Do not touch any metal portions of the hot fix wand while it is hot. Allow the applicator wand to cool before changing the tip or storing the wand.
A rhinestone may still be hot after you lift the wand away from it.
References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Photodisc/Getty Images
