How to attach rhinestone trim to fabric? Apart from the sports involved, gymnastics, dance competitions, and skating have one thing in common: they have beautifully crafted and stoned outfits.
The outfits are blinding thanks to their shiny attachments, but you already know some would cost a fortune and weeks to make, depending on the craftsmanship.
That shouldn’t stop you from getting creative by adding glitter to your fabric. Buying fabric that has rhinestones installed can be expensive.
Alternatively, you could get your fabric from Luxe Fabric Co. and have a DIY project. The trend is popular and fashionable, allowing you to control the creative process. Let’s learn how to attach rhinestone trim to fabric.
1. Sew on Rhinestones
If you are after a mess-free method of sticking rhinestones to fabric, we advise that you sew them on.
Several stones and glitters have sewing holes to enable this, and it is a better method that guarantees that the rhinestones will remain in place. Additionally, there is no need to be concerned about glue messes.
Generally, a sewn-on rhinestone already possesses two pre-existing holes. Embroidered rhinestones are typically available in various shapes: round, navette, triangle, and square.
These gems frequently occur in multiple hues, such as the well-known crystal and crystal AB. Some rhinestones come in metal casings with cross-shaped grooves that allow a needle to pass through when sewing. They could also be used as jewelry.
2. Gluing
This is the most common method of rhinestone attachment. Fabric glue is added to the back of the stones and firmly attached to the fabric. Apply pressure for a while for the stones to stick, or you must tape them in place.
The glue used to stick the rhinestones will determine whether they stay in place or fall off after washing.
It is of the utmost importance that the rhinestones remain in place throughout the first and possibly the next wash. Gof or a waterproof and clear glue to avoid messing your fabric.
The expensive stones come wrapped up with foil and require peeling the foil off for glue application. The foil protects the stones; most will come with their preferred glue, per the manufacturer’s instructions.
The Right Gluing Technique
While selecting the suitable glue is critical, it is also essential to consider the gluing technique. Incorrect gluing will lead them to fall off, especially during washing. Ensure you use the recommended glue amount, not too little or too much, to mess up the design.
Wash and dry the fabric before any glue application. Make every effort to arrange the garments flat. If your fabric is thin, insert wax paper between layers of the fabric to prevent the adhesive from gluing the layers together.
Apply an ideal quantity of adhesive to the back side of the stones. The glue will squish from under the stones and have more of a seal on the stone.
After gluing, allow the fabric to completely dry for almost 24 hours before wearing. Some glues dry up within minutes, but it’s better to let them dry out completely.
3. Iron-on Method
Attaching rhinestones to fabric with heat is faster and less messy than glue. This method is common in bulk orders such as costume designers, theater wardrobe mistresses, dressmakers, and wedding planners.
You will also need specialized equipment, such as an Applicator Wand or a heat press.
One drawback of these rhinestones is their incompatibility with heat-sensitive materials such as pleather, vinyl, plastic, and leather.
Additionally, extreme caution is required when using exceptionally thin fabric, as you will end up ringing the whole design.
You will need to ace on the correct heat applied, how long you will apply the heat, the pressure applied, and the type of material used. Gluing doesn’t work with treated fabrics such as water-repellent, stain-resistant, and Teflon fabrics.
You can apply pressure to the rhinestones by placing them on top of the fabric or have the stones then put a fabric on them and heat it instead.
Whichever way, the back side of the stone that’s glued should be in contact with the fabric and ensure to apply the required pressure.
However, it is essential to adhere to the complete instructions for the material you use for best results. If you prefer this method, you must invest in your heating tools to guarantee a longer span.
If it’s a one-time project, investing in tools is unnecessary, as the home iron box should do just fine. This saves you on cost and is faster as the iron box is readily available. However, if it’s a long-term project, we recommend the following;
i) Applicator Wand – This tool is for picking up and adhering hotfix gems to fabric without glue. The rhinestone comes with the glue and activates when heated.
It’s as simple as turning on the applicator wand, allowing it to heat up, getting your stones, and fixing them on your fabric. Bubbles forming on the stone’s back show that the glue is ready.
ii) Iron transfers – A home iron, heat-fix rhinestones, and transfer film are all required for this straightforward method.
You will need to peel the transfer film and place your rhinestones on the sticky plastic of the film. Arrange the stones with the shiny side up in your desired pattern.
Have the sticky sheet on your fabric to pick up the already-designed stones. Peel it off again and carefully set the design on your garment.
Have your heated iron ready and run it over the pattern, exercising great caution. The heat will melt the glue, making it stick to the fabric.
Peel the plastic off, leaving you with stones attached to your fabric. This is the same method used for branding sports jerseys and personalizing clothes.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to attach rhinestone trim to fabric, it’s time to get creative. Rhinestones are available in an assortment of designs, and they come in different forms, including plastic, glass, and crystal rhinestones.
In most instances, if it’s a DIY project at home, go for cheaper rhinestones, as quality will not be necessary here.
For the same reason, you might choose more expensive brand-name gemstones for more formal occasions such as weddings. Plenty of mid-quality rhinestones give a perfect balance of quality and cost.
Most importantly, remember to enjoy getting creative with rhinestones on your fabric. You could also fix the stones on other items like shoes, sunglasses, and keyfobs.
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