How to Apply Sequin Trim to Costumes

Sequins are sold at craft, fabric and party stores.

Applying a trim made of sequins to a costume adds a touch of personal flare and makes the costume eye-popping. Sequins are small shiny disks that are applied to fabric with a special type of glue. Use sequins that match the main or secondary color of the costume. Once properly applied, sequins won’t fall off when you wash the costume.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic sheet
• Paper plate
• Craft or fabric glue
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Unfold a plastic sheet and lay it on a flat surface like a table top or the floor. The plastic sheet prevents any glue from accidentally dripping onto the surface below.

2. Lay the costume, right side up, on top of the plastic sheet.

3. Spread the sequins on a paper plate. Arrange the sequins right side up. The top of a sequin is the curved, colored side, not the flat side.

4. Apply a small amount of craft or fabric glue to the tip of a pencil. Use clear, uncolored fabric glue.

5. Touch the glue-coated pencil tip near the edge of the costume.

6. Pull the pencil straight up so the glue doesn’t spread on the costume.

7. Press the flat side of a sequin onto the dot of glue until the bottom is coated with glue. Don’t press so hard that the glue oozes out from the edges.

8. Apply sequins to the trim of the front side of the costume, or the portions you want to cover, with sequins.

9. Dry the glue for at least 2 hours before moving the costume.

10. Flip the costume over and line the trim on the back side with sequins.

11. Dry the glue for at least 30 minutes before moving the costume.

References

• Threads Magazine; Speedy Sequin Application; Bill Jones; October 2008