How to glue rhinestones on a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics?

The costume is an important component of the performance of any young gymnast, on which the overall impression of composition and skill depends. Therefore, attentive mothers in advance and very carefully think through the image of an athlete. The clothes decorated with rhinestones look the most vivid and incredibly beautiful, which must be washed carefully. Their radiance and magical overflow in the spotlights create a delightful aura of brilliance around the participant's outfit. If you decide to create a costume yourself, then let's look at how to glue rhinestones on a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics. The design of the gymnastics costume with the help of brilliant stones can be divided into a number of basic stages. Let us dwell on each of them.

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Necessary tools and materials

How to stick hot fix rhinestones? To glue rhinestones on a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics, we need such details:

• Rhinestones. There are various types of them: glue, thermostrases, sewn. As their name implies, glues are fastened with a special glue, sewn must be attached to the fabric. The third variety is attached to the material under the influence of temperature, most often craftswomen use an iron. Under its influence, the adhesive layer on the crystals melts, and rhinestones adhere firmly to the swimsuit.

Important! The most beautiful, incredibly high quality and insanely spectacular are the world famous Swarovski crystals. A swimsuit decorated with such rhinestones will be gorgeous and unique.

• Tweezers. With it, it is convenient to hold the stones and apply them to the fabric.

Important! Pay attention to tweezers with curved ends. It’s more convenient for them to capture small decorative elements.

• Glue. The basis for attaching rhinestones to the fabric can be of two types: transparent adhesive CLEAR or white REST based on PVA. The first option is characterized by instant drying, while for PVA it takes 10-15 minutes. The protruding adhesive does not matter, since after drying it will become completely transparent. But it is absolutely impossible to smear it, because it will be impossible to remove such traces.

Important! Before you begin, we recommend you practice and adapt to one or another type of adhesive base. This is best done on a small piece of material.

• Substrate. It may be convenient, the main thing is that it be dense and fit in size. An example is a book, a folder, a small tablet, etc.
• Applicator for thermostrases. If the decoration is made out with this kind of rhinestone, then this device will greatly simplify the process of embroidering your costume. It allows gluing rhinestones to materials, the use of iron for which is impossible: chiffon, velvet. And additional nozzles are convenient and designed for a variety of crystal sizes.

Important! In addition to these basic tools, you may need some more things for convenience. For example, provide small trays or containers for rhinestones. Additional illumination in the form of an adjustable table lamp will not be out of place.

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Choose a color of rhinestones

Selecting stones in color to the suit, it is necessary to attach rhinestones to the material of the swimsuit.

Important! The bright and spectacular appearance of the stones indicates a suitable shade of rhinestones, and the dull appearance indicates that this option should not be used.

The task of strass is to shine brilliantly on a swimsuit, as well as to accent patterns and drawings, if necessary. In addition, the stones should be combined with the shape of the athlete, emphasizing her personality and beauty.

Important! The color of the rhinestone does not have to be in the same shade as the swimsuit. You can use more bold and contrasting tones. For example, on a black suit, white crystals will look especially bright.

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Determine the optimal size of rhinestones

The abundance of stones gives stunning luster, and the combination of crystals of various sizes further enhance this effect. How to stick rhinestones on a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics, depending on this parameter?

Important! The optimal size of the stones depends on the size of the swimsuit. For small ones, ss16 is fine, and for large ones, ss20.

Small stones are best suited for laying out patterns and drawings on an athlete’s costume. But to emphasize the individual parts, it is better to use large rhinestones. For example, flowers or brooches are best done using stones with a diameter of ss30 or sewn pebbles.

Important! The use of rhinestones of various sizes will enhance the play of light and shine of a gymnastic leotard, due to this it looks more multifaceted and sophisticated.

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How many strasses do you need?

After you have determined the color scheme of your drawing, the presence of certain elements and their sizes, be sure to calculate the required number of stones.

For this, it is important to consider:

• Gluing density of rhinestones on swimsuit fabric.
• Crystal size.
• The number of all colors, as well as the volume of the plot on which each of them is applied.

Important! Of course, the calculations will be only approximate. Be sure to add 20% to the result. This stock will be enough.

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The location of the strass on the swimsuit

How to beautifully embroider rhinestones in the picture? The next step in creating your work of art is to lay out the selected drawing. The following tips and tricks will be relevant here:

• On a symmetrical swimsuit, lay the stones symmetrically about the center of the suit. Otherwise, follow the pattern.
• The volume and more original appearance of the swimsuit is given by the combination of colored stones with rhinestones with the AB effect.

Important! Crystals with the AB effect are stones that create a rainbow modulation, depending on the direction of illumination.

• Rhinestones of pure shades - Hyacinth, Fuchsia, Light Rose or Light Siam, etc. can mark the pattern on the swimsuit. And stones with the AB effect will add shine.

Important! Using a rhinestone with only the AB property will give a negative result - instead of a bright original costume, the viewer from afar will contemplate just a brilliant spot.

• A variety of colors and sizes of stones makes the swimsuit more expensive and elegant. The main thing is a reasonable approach and measure.
• For the mesh part of the suit, it is best to use AB crystals of such diameters - ss: 12, 16, 20 and 30.
• The laying of stones can be carried out in random or staggered order, which depends on the number of crystals.

Important! Experienced craftswomen sometimes miss the stage of laying stones. And if you are going to do this for the first time, then we advise you to photograph the laid-out drawing, and only after that proceed to gluing. This photo will undoubtedly help you in your work.

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Methods for applying rhinestone to fabric

How to stick rhinestones on a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics, because this is such a long and painstaking process. It is possible to speed it up if you get the hang of rhinestones and apply them to the fabric as conveniently and more quickly as possible.

Here are some fixtures that experienced craftsmen use and recommend:

1. Candle. A thin candle, like a church candle, is needed. It is necessary to knead a little and sharpen the tip. The resulting tool catches stones well.
2. Toothpick. To do this, a toothpick is taken and dipped in glue, and after that a crystal is tucked with it. He easily clings to a toothpick and is transferred to its place. Pressed with your finger and you're done!
3. Cotton swabs. Surprisingly, these hygiene products will be an excellent assistant in the work. Dampen a cotton swab in water, and it will perfectly catch rhinestones of various sizes. In addition, the sticks are useful for wiping off excess glue - just dip them in a solvent or alcohol.

These simple and affordable methods can help you in such painstaking work.

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Bonding shiny stones

So, we turned to the question of how to glue rhinestones on a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics?

• Prepare the fabric: it must be clean and washed, we even recommend that it be treated with a special degreaser. This will improve the adhesion of crystals to the material.
• For beginner needlewomen, we advise you to start work with a sticker of stones on the sleeves and the skirt of the suit, gradually moving towards the center. So you better learn the technique and the main part of the costume will turn out already more spectacularly.

Important! Rhinestones should only be glued on a swimsuit in a stretched form.

• Place some base under the material. For example, for sleeves, twist a standard folder for papers into a tube, and for the main part try to put a book with a large hard cover.
• Glue for rhinestones on a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics is applied directly to the material. To do this, it is rational to use a tube with a dispenser. This will greatly simplify the gluing process.
• Then, with fine tweezers, the crystals are neatly laid out on a layer of glue. So, step by step, a beautiful ornament is created.

Important! Absolute drying of the glue occurs after 24 hours.

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Stock footage

In this article we described in detail how to glue rhinestones on a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics. Of course, you can make it to order, which will be much more expensive. Therefore, why not try to create an original costume for a successful athlete with your own hands, with special care and warmth? And the result will undoubtedly be exclusive and excellent.