How to get Your Dance Dress Ready for Competition

As the dance competition season heats up, you frantically try to get everything ready. The hairstyle, makeup and of course the dance costume. And if you are lucky enough to be able to compete at Nationals, you surely want your daughter’s dance dress to sparkle. There are many places to buy plain dance costumes including Discount Dance Supply. Here you can pick up dance dresses cheap, for $30 -$50 dollars. Then you can add rhinestones yourself, saving yourself a bundle of money.

However, you are not a designer and you’ve never glued rhinestones before. Where do you begin? 

Rhinestone Design Guidelines to Help

Gluing rhinestones is not as difficult as you may think.  And there isn’t much you can do that can ruin it, even something like using too much glue. All rhinestone fabric glues dry clear, so you if you accidentally use too much you won’t be able to see. In addition, don’t worry about getting the pattern perfect. Rhinestones being slightly “off” from the pattern will not be noticeable from afar either. Certainly, there are some tips to help you out when embellishing a dance dress.

First, follow the lines of the dress. Look for unique seams, a pattern in the fabric, cutouts, straps or an edge that needs more visibility. Then apply stones along that line.  
Indeed, you can repeat a shape found in the dress.  A similar concept to the one above, allow the lines and shapes in the costume to dictate your design. For example, you can repeat a swirl pattern found in the fabric on a plain part of the dress.

By all means, try a scatter pattern. This is perfect when filling up a large space. You can even get a more creative and make an ombré effect. Or try a pattern of clusters within the scatter design.
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Likewise, you can do your own thing. The main reason for adding rhinestones is to catch the eye by adding sparkle. There is no right or wrong way to do this.
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When You are Ready to Glue Rhinestones to a Dance Dress

Always wash and dry your dress before you start. Then, lay your dress on a flat surface. You may want to keep a ruler nearby. A ruler helps keep your rhinestones evenly spaced out especially when you are adding rhinestones to straps.

Next, map out your design on the costume before permanently attaching. I always lay out all or most of the rhinestones on the dress before I start to glue. Additionally, I will make a template to help with shapes if needed.

Finally, begin with your key element, aligning your center, then work outwards. Distribute your stones until you are sure you can complete the design with the amount you have. In the end, it’s all about making your daughter feel beautiful so that she feels confident. Don’t worry too much about getting it perfect. 
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Where to Buy Rhinestones to Embellish a Dance Dress

​Rhinestones Etc. has been selling rhinestones for over 10 years. With super fast processing times and excellent customer service, we want to be your crystal rhinestone source. 

Plus, we give extra discounts for bulk rhinestone orders. Browse our online store to find your perfect color.