# What do I need to rhinestone a dance costume at home

Source: https://dancerdeals.com/quick-answers/what-do-i-need-to-rhinestone-a-dance-costume-at-home
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Last updated: 2026-06-29

> When the costume needs sparkle, a stoner wants more than you want to spend, and you are deciding whether to buy a kit and do it yourself with no idea what stones, what glue, or how many.

## Quick read

Doing it yourself is genuinely cheaper, because what you pay a professional for is the labor of placing each stone by hand, not the stones themselves. Supplies for one costume run roughly $20 to $60, while paying someone runs $100 to $300 or more for a heavily stoned piece, so DIY makes sense when you have the evenings to give it, since a fully covered costume is several hours of careful work, which is exactly why the pro charges what they do. If you do it yourself, the single most important call is to use flatback crystals with glue, not hotfix. Hotfix stones are set with a heat wand and are fine for a cotton tee, but the heat scorches the spandex and stretch fabric a dance costume is made of, and they are hard to place on the curves of a bra top, so flatback is the dance standard. For the glue, reach for Gem-Tac, which dries clear, holds on stretch fabric, is non-toxic, and goes on white so you can see exactly where you placed it, all of which beats E6000, which is stringy, smells strong, and is harsher to work with. Buy stones by size and in bulk: SS16 is the cost-effective fill size, SS20 to SS30 are the sizes that actually read as sparkle from the audience, and a full costume takes thousands, so buying by the gross saves you fifteen to twenty percent over small packs. Add a wax pencil or a rhinestone applicator to pick up and place each stone and a pair of tweezers for the strays, work on clean dry fabric, use enough glue that the stone sits down into it, and let the whole thing cure fully, usually overnight, before she wears it or you pack it, or the stones pop off the first time.

## Do this now

- Decide DIY vs pro by your time, not just the money, because DIY clearly wins on cost. Supplies for one costume run about $20 to $60, versus $100 to $300 or more to pay a stoner, since you are paying them for the hours of hand-placing, not the stones. If you have the evenings and a steady hand, DIY; if the costume is heavily covered and your time is short, paying a pro for that one is the honest call.
- Buy flatback crystals and glue, not hotfix, for a dance costume. Hotfix stones are heat-set with a wand and are made for cotton tees; the heat scorches the spandex and stretch fabric a dance costume is made of, and they are hard to place on a curved bra top. Flatback stones glued on are the dance standard, full stop.
- Use Gem-Tac for the glue. It dries clear, holds on stretch fabric, is non-toxic, and goes on white so you can see exactly where you placed it. It beats E6000, which is stringy, smells strong, and is harsher to work with, though E6000 holds fine if it is already what you have. Either way it is a flatback-glue job, and the [glue-and-skin answer](/quick-answers/what-safely-holds-rhinestones-and-costume-pieces-on-my-dancer) has the full glue rundown.
- Buy stones by size and in bulk. SS16 is the cost-effective fill size for covering area, and SS20 to SS30 are the sizes that actually read as sparkle from the audience, so most costumes use a mix. A full costume takes thousands of stones, and buying by the gross instead of a small pack saves you fifteen to twenty percent, so order more than you think you need rather than running out mid-design.
- Add the two cheap tools and prep the fabric. A wax pencil or a rhinestone applicator picks up and places each stone, and a pair of tweezers handles the strays, which together cost a few dollars and save your fingertips. Stone on clean dry fabric, use enough glue that the stone sits down into it, and let the whole thing cure fully, usually overnight, before she wears it or you pack it, or the stones pop off the first wear.

## Mistakes to skip

- Don't buy a hotfix kit for a stretch dance costume. The heat-set wand is the wrong tool here, because the heat damages the spandex and the stones do not sit right on the curves, and you end up with scorch marks and stones that fall off. Flatback plus glue is the method for dancewear.
- Don't underbuy the stones. A costume eats far more crystals than a beginner expects, often a few thousand, and running out halfway means a second order, a second shipping fee, and the risk of a slightly different dye lot of crystal. Buy by the gross and have extra.
- Don't rush the cure. Gluing stones and packing or wearing the costume the same day is how a trail of crystals ends up on the dressing-room floor. Lay it flat and let the glue set fully, usually overnight, so the stones are anchored before the costume moves.

## Related buying guides

- [What safely holds rhinestones and costume pieces on my dancer](/quick-answers/what-safely-holds-rhinestones-and-costume-pieces-on-my-dancer)
- [How do I keep a costume strap or legline from slipping on stage](/quick-answers/how-do-i-keep-a-costume-strap-or-legline-from-slipping-on-stage)
- [Best Garment Bags For Recital Costumes](/reviews/garment-bags-for-recital-costumes)
- [Buying and selling used comp costumes](/quick-answers/buying-and-selling-used-comp-costumes)

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