sew on or glue?

micamica · 08-13-2007, 04:35 PM

For those who have costuming making experience, do you prefer sew on or glue on rhinestones? I have heard the metal set ones can snag other costume parts, so I'd like to avoid them. Thanks!

Surida · 08-13-2007, 05:00 PM

I always use sew-on rhinestones. Buy the sew-on ones that have holes not the ones in the metal settings, I find that I am most happy with that style. They don't fall off easily and they don't make pulls on your fabric.

tahiradancer · 08-13-2007, 05:04 PM

I prefer sew on rhinestones. For two reasons. You can replace or remove them without having any residual gunk and the glue adds the the stiffness of the garment. I have a choli which I bought on Ebay. Completely covered with interesting rhinestones and other decrotive bits. Everythign was glued on so the fabric is extreamly diffucult to move in and renders is unwearable.

Now, have I used glue on rhinestones? Yes. But sparingly and only where I either wasn't able to find sew ons or it didn't make that much differnece.

{{{HUGS}}}

mehndidancer · 08-13-2007, 05:29 PM

I agree sew on rhinestones, are the way to go. Glue gem-tac, fabric tac or a hot glue gun (low setting) drawback some fabrics don't like glue adhered and move residue from it awful.they have sticky or hot transfer ones sticky ones are only good for ipods ancell phones not a dance costume. hot transfer ones have not tried again, depends on fabric. See why i stick to sew on. Easier..

Alrana

Marianna · 08-13-2007, 07:07 PM

Sew on is more professional, removal is easier, altogether may be a little more work, but it looks so much nicer.

zumarrad · 08-13-2007, 07:26 PM

Another chiming in for sew on stones. I have a purchased bra which looks lovely at a distance, but it has glued-on stones and up close you can see the gunkishness. Sewn on is so much more pleasant, and I think they actually stay better too. The only problems I have had with sewn-on decorations have been with brooches - they always, always, start to come apart no matter how carefully they've been sewn, and sometimes the stones fall out as well.

zamora · 08-13-2007, 07:45 PM

besides, the glue really takes it's time to not stink!
btw, there are stones that fit in a rim, with prongs down, into the lineing.
i have 1 costume that is appliques, it was glued, and took a week to air out.
the rest i hand bead.
z

elisagamal · 08-13-2007, 10:56 PM

I use both. I like sew-on/no prong crystals on fabric that needs to maintain it's stretch or flexibility. but, I became a convert to glue-on stones once I learned that that's what professional ballroom costumers use, and when I got tired of poking my fingers trying to push needles through thick bra and belt bases or had a couple dozen to apply and the thought of sewing all of them wore me out. if you use top quality swarovski crystals and the right glue (I forget what it's called, 'something 2000' or whatever like that), it works a dream and absolutely does not look cheap or unprofessional. I'll use glued-on crystals to juice up a bra and belt set. I have used them on lycra with great success, too.

mahira-michelle · 08-13-2007, 11:54 PM

I agree, sew on stones.

jjbronson · 08-14-2007, 01:00 AM

Elisa, can you please tell me where you find your rhinestones? I live in the Seattle area and would much rather go somewhere where I can see the colors. I know Whitestones Rhinestones has good prices, but you have to order from pictures. Thank you,

Julia

kamilia · 08-14-2007, 11:09 AM

Is it just cheaper metal-prong rhinestones that catch and snag fabrics? Are some good enough that they don't?

The rhinestones on my Madame Abla's never ever catch on anything. However, I have an Eman Zaki that catches on everything like a mother. I kid you not: I've had parts of my skirt attach to my bra during a performance (no, really, guys, I MEANT to do that). What gives?

Do costumiers now just use cheaper quality rhinestones? I don't think I want to buy anything from the more recent costumiers if they don't even think enough to make a dance-friendly costume. Has anyone else had that problem?

micamica · 08-14-2007, 11:46 PM

Alright, sew on it is! I was thinking of this for a dress, and I'm going for Swarovski, so I guess I'll do it the long way, oh well.

mekyria · 08-15-2007, 08:30 AM

Some designers might use different prong rhinestones, or they did something to prevent the prongs on catching fabric. You could try to put clear nailpolish over the prongs that snnag the most, that might take of 'the edge' of the prong.

I say sew on too. use the biggest stones that you can find, more sparkle=better

ChristinaRizkallah · 08-15-2007, 03:32 PM

I don't sew, but from a point of view of someone who owns costumes that have sew on crystals and glued on cyrstals-they both stay on as equally good.

tigerb · 08-15-2007, 05:21 PM

No one speaks up for hot-fix?

I'm dying to buy a hot-fix wand and hot-fix crystals... it looks fast!

samsied · 08-21-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerb

No one speaks up for hot-fix?

I'm dying to buy a hot-fix wand and hot-fix crystals... it looks fast!

I've used hot-fix on bodystockings. They stay on the strechy fabric, no mess and are washable. I didn't notice any heavy glue stink either. I've had the first decorated stocking for about 2 years and have handwashed it many times with no trouble. I've used them on power net, regular net and stretch lace so far. I've also used them on a chiffon scarf. I think the stones may be a little small for decorating a bra and belt though. I am not sure what size the biggest hotfix stones are, but the ones I have are 5mm. I would recommend them as a possibility to decorate veils, bodystockings, skirts, etc to coordinate with Swarovski crystals used elsewhere in the costume or to add just a touch of bling.

Lesgemini_Zafirah · 08-21-2007, 02:48 PM

Sorry to sound like a doofus, but what's "Hot-Fix"??? Is it a tube of magical sticky stuff, like Super-Glue?

I'm intrigued...and would very much like to put a "touch of bling" to my body stocking, in the midriff area...I'm thinking I would like to experiment...

antimony · 08-21-2007, 03:00 PM

Hot-Fix are these rhinestones that come with a coating on the back. You pick up the rhinestones with a heated tool that melts the coating on the back of the rhinestones, then you press them on to the fabric and the coating cools and bonds the rhinestone to the fabric.

Unlike using gem-tac or other glues, each rhinestone comes with the thin layer of hot-fix already on the back, so there's no excess that can squoosh out around the edges of the stone. That also means any fabric area between stones can still stretch, so it is less likely to cause the stiff fabric issue that tahiradancer described above. Hot-fix stones are available without prong settings, so you can avoid prongs that might catch on other costume pieces. I know they come in sizes up to at least 9mm.

Surida · 08-21-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

Sorry to sound like a doofus, but what's "Hot-Fix"??? Is it a tube of magical sticky stuff, like Super-Glue?

I'm intrigued...and would very much like to put a "touch of bling" to my body stocking, in the midriff area...I'm thinking I would like to experiment...

I'll have to admit that I have wondered about hot fixing - especially on something light and sheer. If you experiment, let us know the results.

Lesgemini_Zafirah · 08-21-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antimony

Hot-Fix are these rhinestones that come with a coating on the back. You pick up the rhinestones with a heated tool that melts the coating on the back of the rhinestones, then you press them on to the fabric and the coating cools and bonds the rhinestone to the fabric.

Unlike using gem-tac or other glues, each rhinestone comes with the thin layer of hot-fix already on the back, so there's no excess that can squoosh out around the edges of the stone. That also means any fabric area between stones can still stretch, so it is less likely to cause the stiff fabric issue that tahiradancer described above. Hot-fix stones are available without prong settings, so you can avoid prongs that might catch on other costume pieces. I know they come in sizes up to at least 9mm.

This sounds cool (or should I say "hot"?

). Where can I get these "magic beans"? Do they come in a set that includes the heated-tool-thingy to pick up/melt the sticky backing?? Do they carry these at Joann's?

tigerb · 08-21-2007, 04:51 PM

Here's one:

http://www.i-kandi.com/kandikane.asp

mekyria · 08-22-2007, 01:16 AM

I've used the i-kandi to decorate t-shirts. They are great, but unfortunatly I already lost a few stones in the laundry. If you hand wash gently that won't happen, but I went for the easy way out and machine washed the shirts. I used the largest sice available over here, which was 5 mm.

antimony · 08-22-2007, 08:19 AM

I have shirts and things that were bought from places that use the professional hot-fix presses that have held up for dozens of washes, but the designs I've ironed on myself have not been as secure in the wash, which makes me think that slight variations in temperature when they were applied can make a big difference in washability.

But for costume pieces that will rarely be washed, and then only hand washed, I think hot-fix stones are a good thing to have in your arsenal.