How to Apply Rhinestones to Clothing

Rhinestones and other applique materials are transforming plain clothing to spectacular. If you want to add a little glitter to your clothing, here are some tips on how to apply rhinestones to clothing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Rhinestones used on fabrics are attached by either a glue-on or iron-on technique. The rhinestones you will buy should have flat backs and can come with glue already on them or clean.

2. Select the rhinestones you want to use. There are a number of rhinestone makers you can buy. Swarovski rhinestones are generally considered the highest quality. You can also use nailheads, jewelcuts and other similar embellishments. Have fun checking through the different colors and forms you can find from various suppliers.
   
   You can find rhinestone motifs already set into designs that can be applied all at once, or you can set your rhinestones or other jewels one at a time into your own design.

3. Rhinestones are glued into place with heat. You can iron on your rhinestones, use a heat/hot fix gun or use a heat press. You can add just a few for effect, do an elaborate design of your own, or even buy transfer designs all done for you that you can simply melt onto your fabric all in one go.

4. Once you have laid out your design with the glued back of the rhinestone flat against the fabric, you can use an ordinary home iron (without steam) to melt them into place in just 5 - 7 seconds. Heat presses are better, but make sure the fabric you are using can withstand the 330' - 350' temperature. Easiest of all is using the BeJeweler tool in which each single rhinestone is placed and melted onto its spot on the fabric. Under 'Resources' below I have listed some helpful links to sites that will offer detailed instructions, troubleshooting and sources for rhinestones and rhinestone application tools and materials.

5. Decorating fabrics with rhinestones can be a way to make an old piece of clothing new, to add that little extra sparkle you want, or to help you create designs of your own. This article, along with the resources provided, should show you how to apply rhinestones to clothing to get any of these effects.

Resources

• Rhinstone heat applications
• Rhinestone and jewel supplies
• TIps for applying rhinestones

[silkfair]

on 3/12/2009 Rhinestones add a lot of oomph and character into any bag or dress. Nice article!

[goodselfme]

on 2/26/2009 Rhinestones sure do add a lot to all clothing. Tx for the tips