Here we will describe how to create a scattered pattern using rhinestones. The rhinestones spread out like this will generate a lot of light while you are on stage. It is one of the easiest things you can do with highest impact.
Supplies:
- Dance piece
- Rhinestones
- E6000 Glue in a Tube or
in a Syringe - Toothpicks
- Two paper plates
Directions:
Choosing Your Materials
You can use this technique on any dance garment you choose. So, for your project, you need to decide what garment you want to rhinestone for your costume.
Preparation
For our example, we are going to use high waisted dance briefs. We picked the stones used in our demonstration because they are really big and they are easy to see. The first thing you want to do is figure out how many stones you have for each area. You want to divide it into quarters or into halves. We have determined that the stones on the plate are what we have for the front and then the same for the back. Now, you want to keep it kind of consistent. We often kind of eyeball it, but it is up to you. You do not want it too even but you also do not want it to be “off.”
At this point, we are going to divide up the rhinestones in half on a paper plate. Make sure they are upside down. After dividing the number of rhinestones, we have one left over. The reason we divide the rhinestones is we want to have an equal number in the two halves of the briefs. We are going to put that extra rhinestone dead center and they we will build from there. Even though it is a scattered, random pattern there is still a little bit to it.
Gluing the Rhinestones
Since the toothpick method is our favorite technique, that is the technique we are going to apply the glue. Some people prefer the syringe to apply the glue and then pick up the rhinestones with tweezers. We do not want too much glue on the plate because it dries easily. We also keep the lid on the tube for the same reason. We can always add more glue to the plate as needed.
First, we put a little glue on the paper plate and close the lid to the glue. We then dip the toothpick into the glue. We use the toothpick with the glue to pick the rhinestone up by the back and then set the rhinestone which now has glue on it smack dab in the center of the high waisted briefs. The next rhinestone we place above that center rhinestone at a distance that looks right to us. Using our ruler, we determine the distance between that first rhinestone and the second rhinestone and use that as a predetermined guide for the distance between all the other rhinestones. They are still scattered and random, but we want them to be equidistant as much as possible. Sometimes we use the width of two fingers as a guide. Our third rhinestone will be below the center rhinestone and at the same distance between the first and second rhinestone. Those three rhinestones will be our center line. We will then build out from that center line. Using that predetermined distance between rhinestones, scatter half of the rhinestones to the right of that center one. The “pattern” would be three in the center line and next to that there would be two rhinestones above each other, then three, then two and on until you fill in the space. Finish the front of the brief by scattering the other half of the rhinestones in the same “pattern” to the left of the center line. Then, turn the briefs over and repeat the whole thing on the back.
And there you have it. It is super simple and full of splash.
