1

Consult with your client.

Ask about the garment’s purpose, durability required and budget. Tip: Fashion Mommy uses round Hotfix rhinestones for garment application; there are a variety of stones at various price points.

2

Create the artwork.

You can use stock vector clipart and fonts you’ve purchased for use in your shop, or you can draw your own artwork. There are various software programs on the market that facilitate this process. Fashion Mommy uses R-Wear Studio from Roland DGA. R-Wear also allows you to create a rhinestone pattern for your design using different colors and calibrated sizes of standard stones. For this design, Fashion Mommy used ss6 and ss10 size rhinestones in six colors. Get your client’s approval.

3

Produce the rhinestone template.

R-Wear studio will output to either an EGX-350 rotary engraver or GX-24 vinyl cutter for rhinestone template creation. If you’re using the EGX-350, load the machine with the template material and a rhinestone cutter blade. Then, the machine cuts calibrated holes into the material creating the rhinestone pattern. If you’re using a GX-24 machine, load either rhinestone stencil or Sticky Flock material and a 60 degree blade. The machine then cuts calibrated holes into the material creating the rhinestone pattern.

4

Produce the rhinestone transfer.

Use Hotfix rhinestones in the required sizes/colors for the design. Hotfix stones are pre-glued with a heat-activated backing. You’ll also need transfer tape, a rhinestone spreader and a good set of tweezers. Spread manually with the rhinestone spreader onto the template using the correct colors. Once the rhinestones fall into place, apply the sticky transfer tape over top and the rhinestones will stick to it. Repeat this process for each layer of the design.

5

Heat-press the transfer to the garment.

Apply at 360 degrees for 20 seconds with firm pressure. Two Teflon pressing sheets are part of the FashionMommy process, using one sheet in between the T-shirt and one for the top of the shirt.

Tip:
“Cotton/poly blend fabrics work the best,” says Angela Lloyd-Fiorelli of FashionMommy. She also prefers to use a heavier-weight T-shirt so the rhinestone design retains its shape.

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