What are the best rhinestones to use?

Question

I want to put my name in rhinestones on my running shirt (I'm doing a marathon on 1/7) and I've never done this before, what are the best rhinestones and glue to use? The shirt is 100% poly. I don't need them to stay on forever, just a few hours. Thanks for any tips you can offer.

Answer 1

Just a note about "rhinestones".... the real ones are glass and cost a lot of money, where most craft rhinestones are plastic. You don't need the real ones for this, of course. If you're not putting them on a light colored shirt, you might want to just press them against the shirt you're using (even while in the package at the store) just to make sure the *backing* on the plastic ones is reflective enough or light enough not to make your rhinestones look darker or muddier than you want.

As the first person said, just use a "fabric glue" or a glue made specifically to attach metal or plastic beads, etc., to fabric --like Jewel-It or Gem Tac. For a few hours of use, just *plain* white glue should work too as long as it's "permanent" glue, not "washable." Especially because you'll be sweating and moving the shirt constantly though, make sure you give the glue long enough to dry thoroughly, even though a full "cure" of the glue can take a week (so don't wash the jeweled shirt during that time). Do pre-wash it though to remove any sizing if it's new because that can act as a little bit of a resist to the glue.


Good luck!

Diane B.

Answer 2

If you go to a store like Michael's or JoAnn's, you can purchase rhinestones for your project. If you don't need them to stay on forever, my recommendation is to purchase whichever rhinestones you find to be pretty.

In terms of glues... there are many lovely fabric glues on the market, which ought to do the trick quite nicely.

Make sure you cover a piece of cardboard with wax paper or parchment paper (tape it in place, if you must) and insert it between the front and back of the t-shirt, while the glue is drying, so that you don't glue the shirt together!

I would use something like Aleene's Jewel-it Embellishing Glue (made specifically for your project!!) or OK to Wash It glue. You can find it at JoAnn's (online or at the retail store). Aleene's also makes applique' glues and other specialty glues.

It'll be something that could last forever if you do it with Aleene's (and no, I don't work for them, but, I love their products because they are very specific and awesome, working glues!!).

Good luck and Have fun!!!