HOTFIX

FREE TUTORIALS & INFO ON HOW TO MAKE RHINESTONE DESIGNS TO PUT ON YOUR OWN CLOTHES

HOTFIX

What are rhinestone sizes?

Yes, there is actually a size chart to determine or measure the size of rhinestones. Rhinestones are sold per size, preceded or followed by an SS number (SS stands for Stone Size). There is no connection with millimeters in this number, in the sense that 6SS or SS6 stones are NOT 6 mm in diameter! But there is a size chart in which the dimensioning is explained, so that you can more easily figure out which size of rhinestones to choose.

So in general, the higher the SS number, the larger the diameter of the stone, and the more bling it will have. Conversely, the smaller the SS number, the smaller the diameter of the crystal and the more luster it will have.

SIZE CHART OF THE MOST COMMON USED RHINESTONES

Below you will find a list of the most popular and available hotfix or rhinestone formats, with their diameter in millimeters:

SS4: 1.5 – 1.6 mm

SS6: 1.9 – 2.1 mm

SS8: 2.3 – 2.5 mm

SS10: 2.7 – 2.9 mm

SS12: 3.0 – 3.2 mm

SS16: 3.8 – 4.0 mm

SS20: 4.6 – 4.8 mm

SS30: 6.3 – 6.5 mm

SS34: 7.1 – 7.3 mm

This chart will help you to determine which size you should choose for a T-shirt or shoes, flip flops or sandals, tights, body suits, belts, sweamwear, jeans of jean jacket or any other part of your outfit to pimp.

Strass Maattabel

Rhinestone size chart

Maattabel Strass Steentjes
HOTFIX

How to use a hotfix rhinestone applicator

WHAT IS A HOTFIX RHINESTONE APPLICATOR?

You can use hotfix applicator to attach hotfix stones to various materials. Hotfix stones, or also called rhinestones, are made of lead crystal glass that is mechanically grounded and polished for a high quality finish. There is a layer of heat-sensitive adhesive on the back of the stones. This adhesive needs about 20 seconds to heat and adhere to a surface. And the suitable tool for this is a hotfix applicator that will ensure that the adhesive will melt and the stones will stick to the desired surface. A rhinestone or hotfix applicator comes with multiple mouthpieces or parts for different sizes hotfix or rhinestones.

Is there a difference between rhinestones and hotfix stones?

The name rhinestone comes from the discovery of crystals that have been collected from the Rhine.

The popularity of stone crystals was initially limited because the crystals were only available at this location. An Alsatian jeweller, George Friedrich Strass, discovered a process for imitating diamonds by using metal powder to coat the bottom side of glass in 1775. The new process increased the complexity, brilliance and reflective properties of the glass. The popularity of the gemstone constantly increased and in the end the popularity spread throughout Europe. Hence the reference to rhinestones.

Hotfix stones are made of glass but in such a way that they give a nice shine so that they look like real gems. The front is facetted glass. And the more facets the glass has, the more shine it gets.

The back of hotfix stones should be mirrored with a silver coating to reflect light, just as mirrors should be coated with silver to reflect reflections. Without the coating, a flat back piece is no more than a piece of transparent glass of any shape that does not reflect light except for the surface.

The back has the colour grey or black, but if you look closely, dry adhesive has already been added to the dark, flat surface. Since there is already adhesive on the hotfix stones, you only need to apply heat to apply them to clothing. Both names are used interchangeably.

PREPARATION FOR USING THE HOTFIX APPLICATOR

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

  • It is best to work on a solid surface, such as a tabletop or a work surface. Ironing boards are not really suitable because they offer insufficient support. If you apply hotfix stones to fabric, make sure the fabric is smooth. If necessary, you can iron the fabric first.
  • You will also need tweezers with fine points.
  • When applying the rhinestones to thin and delicate fabric, it is best to place a piece of cardboard or a baking paper between the layers of fabric to prevent the adhesive from seeping through and adhering all layers of fabric to each other
  • Before you turn on the hotfix applicator, choose the correct size of applicator tip or mouthpiece for the rhinestone size you will be working with. The sizes are etched in the side of such a tip. If you are not sure what the required size is, place the tip over the rhinestone. The right mouthpiece takes up the rhinestone. The tip of the applicator fits on the end of the hotfix applicator. Gently screw in the correct size applicator tip.

WHAT MATERIAL IS SUITABLE?

In order to obtain a successful strong adhesion, the material must be able to absorb the adhesive when it is melted. Materials such as paper, card, wool, cotton, linen, viscose, tulle, denim, lycra, cotton jersey, silk, synthetic fabrics (polyester etc.) and artificial fur are all suitable for applying hotfix stones on. Less absorbent materials such as glass, plastic, smooth leather and fabrics with a wax coating are not suitable for absorbing the hotfix adhesive and therefore not suitable for applying rhinestones on. You can use the applicator to apply stones to different things such as T-shirts, sweaters, pants, dresses, handbags, shoes, bags, mobile phone covers, etc.

 

DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR FABRIC IS SUITABLE FOR THE HOTFIX APPLICATOR

In order to make a good adhesion of rhinestones possible, the material on which they are to be attached must be suitable. The adhesive of the hotfix stones melts by applying heat to it and it must be able to be absorbed by the substance to which they are applied. A simple test to find out if your material is absorbent is the water drop test. If the water runs off the surface, it is not suitable to use with hotfix stones. Or when dust has absorbed a large amount of fabric softener, it is best to first wash it.

THESE ARE THE STEPS FOR WORKING WITH THE HOTFIX APPLICATOR USING THE STANDARD ATTACHMENTS:

  1. Select the correct tip for the rhinestone format that you are setting…. all tips are clearly labelled with regard to size: 6SS, 10SS, 12SS, 16SS, 20SS and 30SS.
  2. Use the flat mouthpieces if you place stones with a flat top
  3. Insert the plug into the socket
  4. Allow the appliance to warm up for about 2 minutes … it is ready for use
  5. Pour out the stones. Place the garment on a heat-resistant surface, facing upwards where you want to apply stones. You can also place a protective piece of fabric between the front and back of your garment. This prevents the possibility that adhesive seeps through the top layer and leaves a spot on the other side
  6. First use the stones with their good side up and the adhesive side (grey) down! Push the right tip over the stone, hold it up, wait a minute and see if the adhesive melts (if it shines and small bubbles appear)
  7. As soon as the adhesive melts, push the stone gently on the fabric, do not use force and pull back your applicator … do NOT leave it on the stone … just push and pull away. The stone attaches itself to the fabric and pulls away from the hotfix applicator
  8. If you leave the tip of the applicator on the fabric too long, the adhesive will run off the stone, the stone will remain on the tip of the applicator and it will be difficult to straighten it…. just push down and back up. As simple as that
  9. Allow to cool down and test whether the stone remains firmly attached by rubbing over it.
  10. Take another stone and repeat the progress until you have all the stones in place
  11. Allow to cool and rub over the stones to see if they are all tightly attached.

In the video below I show you how to use a hotfix applicator to, for example, restyle your pants:

How to use a hotfix applicator

KIES HIER VOOR EEN VOORDELIG HOTFIX STARTERSPAKKET

Basic

Starter
21,95
  •  

pro

Super De Luxe
32,45
  •  
PopulaIr

A hotfix rhinestone applicator is delivered with multiple attachements or tips for different rhinestone sizes. You can use the bedazzler for all kinds of surfaces, like fabric, clothes, shoes, bags, jeans, sneakers, etc.

BEDAZZLE SHOES AND SNEAKERS

In case you are wondering if you can bedazzle hoes and sneakers YES we can. It’s really not that hard.  I’ll show you in my video.

 

THESE ARE THE STEPS FOR WORKING WITH THE HOTFIX APPLICATOR USING THE FLAT ATTACHMENTS:

  1. You may prefer to place the stone in the spot where you want to attach it and use the flat attachment.
  2. Lay the stone with the adhesive side down on your chosen surface
  3. Place the applicator gently on the stone and leave it there for about 10 seconds. Do NOT use force!
  4. Let it cool and check whether the stones are properly attached
  5. Repeat the process for all stones that are not properly attached

 

EXTRA ADVICE

  • Use the hotfix applicator with the correct attachment for the corresponding stones
  • If there is still a stone in your attachment, use the tweezers or a needle to push the stone off
  • Keep the tips clean with a small brush (the type you use to clean the grill)

OTHER METHODS FOR APPLYING RHINESTONES ON CLOTHING

panda stippelpatroon voor SS10 hotfix steentjes

RHINESTONE TEMPLATE

Choose a colour of rhinestones and rhinestone template

Strass applicatie

rhinestone transfer

Easy to iron on rhinestone templates

dansschoen in sticky flock template materiaal

rhinestone pattern

Bedazzling ideas

DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR FABRIC IS SUITABLE FOR THE HOTFIX APPLICATOR

In order to make a good adhesion of rhinestones possible, the material on which they are to be attached must be suitable. The adhesive of the hotfix stones melts by applying heat to it and it must be able to be absorbed by the substance to which they are applied. A simple test to find out if your material is absorbent is the water drop test. If the water runs off the surface, it is not suitable to use with hotfix stones. Or when dust has absorbed a large amount of fabric softener, it is best to first wash it.

IMPORTANT: WASHING INSTRUCTIONS

After the adhesive has been applied, it can be washed in the machine, but is not recommended for dry cleaning because some of the chemicals used can denature the adhesive, causing it to discolour and become brittle or dissolve. Turn the clothes inside out and wash at 30°C. Do not put clothes with rhinestones in a tumble dryer, but hang on a coat rack and allow it to dry by air.

CONCLUSION

Using a hotfix applicator is a quick way to quickly apply a number of stones to an item. You only need a basic hotfix starter package consisting of an applicator and stones and you can already get started to restyle your clothing. It also gives you great freedom in creativity. You put the stones on your chosen surface in a pattern that you have in your mind and you can start.

If you want to work more precisely, you can draw a pattern with pencil or tailors chalk in advance and then apply the hotfix stones.

HOTFIX

How to make cheap clothes look expensive

How to make cheap clothes look expensive

I was looking for a way to make my cheap clothes look expensive and came across, what I found three nice and easy solutions. Let’s check it out together!

An absolute eye-opener for me was when I found out that you can apply rhinestones on your own shirts, clothes, bags and even shoes. And you can do it all by yoursefl.  It looked like a fun thing to do besides the positive effect it would have on my outfit. So, I wanted to learn more about it and share it with you.

1. BY USING rhinestones

what are rhinestones?

Well rhinestones are made of glass but in such a way that they give a nice shine so they look like real gems. The front is facetted glass. And the more facets the glass gets, the more shine.

The back of hotfix stones should be mirrored with a silver coating to reflect light, just as mirrors should be coated with silver to reflect reflections. Without the coating, a flat back piece is no more than a piece of transparent glass of any shape that does not reflect light except for the surface.

The back is in a gray, black or green color. If you look closely, you can see that there has already been added glue to the flat surface. Since there is glue on the stones, you only need to apply heat to adhere them to fabric or other materials.

By the way rhinestones are called strass in Belgium and Netherlands as in many other European languages. Both are used interchangeably. There is also a size chart for rhinestones.

Rhinestones on clothing and shoes

HOW CAN YOU APPLY RHINESTONES?

There are various methods to do this. It can be done with an iron or a hotfix applicator. It can be done with rhinestone templates and transfers. In some of my next blog posts I will go deeper into this:

2. BY USING GLITTER HTV

The second method which is pretty neat is to apply a nice design in glitter HTV. This immediately gives a shiny effect to your outfit and makes it stand out. It makes an ordinary T-shirt in an incredible one. It gives so many opportunities. Only ones imagination is the limit, I would say.

What is glitter HTV?

Another nice way to give your clothes that extra touch, is the use of glitter HTV.

Glitter htv is a glittery material that can be used on fabric to create stunning, radiant creations. Glitter htv contains real glitter flakes encapsulated in a high-quality heat-seal adhesive and is available in many colors. It can easily be cut with an scissors orwith a cutting machine such as silhouette cameo or cricut..

Glitter HTV adheres to cotton, uncoated polyester, fabric blends, wool and linen. You can make very beautiful creations, for example to T-shirts or children’s clothes very original.

How can you apply glitter htv to make your clothes look more expensive?

Glitter htv attaches itself easily. It is best applied with a heat press but it can also be applied using a simple iron. I have made an entire article for you to explain in more dept. Please check it out.

patches op jeans

3. BY USING IRON-ON PATCHES

Buy iron-on patches for a quick and easy new look for your jean jacket or denim jeans. They don’t require a stiching machine and are very easy to do. You just need an iron for this. Kids also just love these patches and find them even “cool”.

Let me help you

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