DIY: Make Your Own Blinged-Out Bride Shirt

Rhinestone Template – How to Make Your Own Blinged-Out Bride Shirt

​While your wedding day is a big event to plan, you also have some smaller events to organize. There’s the bridesmaid luncheon, bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner. And for each of these events, you need something to wear. What better way to announce to the world the upcoming event than by wearing a blinged-out “bride” shirt. Perhaps you’ve seen these shirts in major retailers. Generally, they are expensive and made with cheap bedazzling gems without much sparkle. However, you can make your own using our rhinestone template and your choice of rhinestones.
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How to Use Our Rhinestone Template

Simply go to our website and download the template. Our design has all the size rhinestones listed so you know exactly what you need and how many. Moreover, you can experiment by using all the same size or different sizes. Generally, these bride shirts use crystal rhinestones, but you can choose any color you want.
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Next, decide on whether you want to use hotfix or flatback (glue-on) rhinestones. Heat-activated jewels have glue on them, while flat backs require glue. Both of these types work great for this type of project. Even if you’ve never undertaken this type of project before, you can do this easily with our instructions. Finally, always make sure to pre-wash your garment before adding flatback crystals. 

Using Hotfix Rhinestones

You can create an iron on transfer with hotfix rhinestones. To do so, you'll need transfer paper. 

Peel the opaque piece off the transfer paper and put it aside. Lay the clear paper, sticky side up, on top of the template. Now lay the heat-activated gems, facet side down, on the sticky paper, placing them as indicated. Once you have all the jewels placed, you can iron it on to your t-shirt.
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Heat your iron to the hottest setting without steam. Lay your shirt flat on the ironing board. Position the iron on transfer on the shirt, the flat side of the gems touching the shirt. With the iron, press down on the rhinestone transfer, holding for 12-17 seconds. Lift the iron up and, if necessary, press down on another part of the transfer. DO NOT slide the iron as this may dislodge and move the crystals. Once you’ve done this for the entire transfer, allow to cool completely. Then peel off the clear sticky part and you have your finished shirt.
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Flatback Rhinestones

On the other hand, flatback rhinestones require an adhesive. You can find several at your local craft store. My favorite fabric glue for jewels is Gem-Tac. It dries clear, is washable, and is easy to apply.

The technique for flatback crystals is different. First, lay the shirt as flat as possible on your work surface. Using the template as a guide, lay all the gems on the shirt. Then, one at a time, pick one up, placing a drop of glue in its place. Next, gently press the rhinestone into the glue drop, allowing some of the glue to seep out the sides. This “extra” glue forms a seal that helps protect the bedazzling gems from peeling off.
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Continue removing one rhinestone at a time and gluing it into place until your design is complete. Allow to dry flat for 24 hours. 

You’ve just saved yourself some money by making your own blinged-out bride shirt. Best of all, our rhinestone template is free! And if you need rhinestones, check out Rhinestones Etc. competitive pricing on rhinestones! We have excellent customer service and want your complete satisfaction with each purchase.

Browse our collection of crystal products to find your color!