How to Attach Rhinestones to Leather

Decorating your own leather than be an enjoyable do-it-yourself project. Consider jazzing up a plain leather belt with rhinestones or adding rhinestones to your dog's collar for an extra bit of flair. Because of its toughness, it is impossible to add heat-fix or prong-backed rhinestones directly to the leather. Instead, follow the process below to decorate your leather clothes or accessories at home.

Things You'll Need

• Lambskin fabric
• Adhesive
• Flat-backed rhinestones
• Scissors
• Glue

Instructions

1. Choose a lambskin fabric that is lightweight, about the weight of a shirt. Make sure the fabric is long and wide enough to cover the leather.

2. Line up the lambskin with the leather piece and cut the lambskin out, adding about 1/4 inch on all sides to allow for bonding it onto the leather later.

3. Apply the rhinestones to the lambskin using an adhesive that contains acetone. A suitable glue can be purchased at any craft store. Allow the piece to dry for at least one hour.

4. Apply a glue made for bonding leather to leather to the back of the lambskin and center onto the leather. Fold the edges of the lambskin over the edge of the leather and secure onto the back so that the edges will not be visible.

5. Allow the leather to dry for one day before using.

Tips & Warnings

• Leather-to-leather glue can be found at shoe repair shops.

References

• Rhinestone Guy: Ideas in Leather
• Rhinestones Unlimited: Attaching Flat-back Rhinestones

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish