Hollywood Glamour on a Budget

Create Glamour by Using Bedazzling Rhinestones on a Dress

Your daughter needs a formal dress, and you want her to feel fabulous in it, but finances are tight. What can you do? Often, you can find an inexpensive dress at a thrift store, then add faux gems for an updated look. Moreover, using bedazzling rhinestones on a dress is easy.  

Total cost, including the dress, glue, and crystal, was under $35.00.
For this project, I used:

• 1 blue dress
• 12ss Sapphire PriceLess Rhinestones (about 3 1/2 gross)
• 12ss Crystal PriceLess Rhinestones (50 rhinestones)
• 30ss Crystal PriceLess Rhinestones (22 rhinestones)
• Gem Tac
• Wax tipped tool

Please note: I took these pictures under different lighting conditions, so the color appears darker, but it is the same dress.
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Quick Bedazzling Tips Before You Begin

At first, it can seem intimidating to add bedazzling jewels to clothing. After all, gluing is permanent. However, by following a few simple steps, you can glue bedazzling rhinestones on a dress and make it beautiful.

1. Plan out your design
It’s easy to struggle with the details of the design. Sometimes, the best way to decide is to lay out the garment and lay some stones on top. For more intricate patterns, you can create a template or use one of ours.

2. Prewash your garment
Usually, manufacturers treat clothes with chemicals that interfere with the glue bond.
3. Gather your supplies

Decide on your rhinestone sizes and colors. You can choose a single size and color or mix them for added dimension. Popular glue options include E6000, Gem-Tac, and Fabri-Tac. When you’re ready to begin, have everything you need available and organized.
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4. Lay the dress on a flat surface
Smooth the beginning area of where you plan to glue as flat as possible. As the glue sets, you can begin to shift the dress to glue other sections. 
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Instructions For Gluing Rhinestones on a Dress

For this dress, I wanted to use a scatter pattern using 2 colors. I began by gluing the 30ss Crystal gems randomly on the sash. To properly glue rhinestones to fabric, place a drop of glue slightly smaller than the jewel on the fabric. Using the wax tipped tool, pick up a rhinestone and gently press it into the glue drop.

While you don’t want glue blobs, you do want a little bit of the glue to seep out from the edges of the stone. This glue helps to create a seal to keep the bedazzling gem from falling off. 

After gluing the 30ss crystals, I added the 12ss sapphire gems, accentuating in between with the 12ss crystal rhinestones. Once you've completed the gluing process, lay the dress flat and let it dry for 24 hours.

Where Can I Buy Rhinestones for Fabric?

When searching for quality crystal gems for rhinestones on a dress, shop Rhinestones Etc. Since 2011, we’ve been offering the best bedazzling gems at the lowest prices. We offer fast processing times and outstanding customer service. Here are just a few of our clients' thoughts about our shop:

Quick delivery and just as expected. Highly recommend! – Laura

The perfect seller, the product was perfect. – Glenda

Always fast, courteous, and efficient! – Cherie

Explore our extensive selection of bling products to create your unique look.