I haven't tried anything like this before. May be I will try crystals for my next project.

Thanks for the update! Yeah, glueing them all on individually stinks! I can remember doing that with a quilt long before there ever was Hot-Fix. But, if you ever have to glue them again, Ailene glue will put them there permanently. You can add any embellishments with Ailene's. (I think that is how you spell it. My bottle is missing at the moment.)

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

MAMA2TNT wrote:
For your next project, you might want to try to get some Swarowski Hot Fix crystals. These really work. I have found that some brands don't stay on as well. Here's a link you may find interesting: http://www.mjtrim.com/rhinestones-crystals/swarovski-hotfix.html

The self-stick crystals did not work on fabric. There were no instructions on the package. I tried heat with the iron, but that didn't work. The crystals were a little sticky on the back, but not enough to stick to the fabric. I ended up using Elmer's glue. So far, the crystals are still attached. This is on a wallhanging that will probably never be washed. For storage and transporting, I pinned a piece of fabric over the area of crystals to reduce any friction. There are less than 20 crystals, all in one area. I'd like to use crystals in another project that is ready for them, but would like to use different crystals/method of attaching them. Thank you, everyone, for commenting on this subject.

"And I would do a test on a sample for any substance you try since I would be concerned about anything interfering with the bond between the hot glue and the fabric." Very good point Nancy! Almost all of my quilts are wall hangings, and never get washed, so it did not occure to me to add that! Thanks!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Scoopie wrote:
And I would do a test on a sample for any substance you try since I would be concerned about anything interfering with the bond between the hot glue and the fabric. I would probably wash the test sample if you are going to wash your final quilt after applying the crystals, just in case that makes a difference. For example, maybe the hot fix will attach to the starch, but then not be attached to the fabric once the starch is washed out. It's just better to be safe than sorry! Good luck and let us see what you make!!

Nancy

Good topic. Thanks for the info.

beckyezra wrote:
I have a feeling, like Nancy said, that there might be a problem with the two substances not playing well together. Since you are trying different ways of doing a mass setting of crystals, you might try a spray startch (it's kind of sticky) set your crysatals, let it dry, and see if they temporarily stay in place. Or, maybe even a spray baste, except that stuff is so toxic, so I only use it outside. Just play around, trying different methods, and if you find one that works, let us know! For now, I usually don't do more than about 5 or 6 at a time, if they are close enough together.

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

beckyezra wrote:
I haven't tried anything like this and would guess that you'd have problems because the school glue would keep the hot fix glue from contacting the fabric. But it's certainly something to try on a scrap. If there was a kind of glue that disappeared with heat, like some marking pens do, then that would probably work.

Nancy

small question about that - is it ok to glue the small crystals with little school glue to put all of them on the block, so to see the right position, then to iron all of them with iron (with baking paper protecting the iron etc.).
or do i need to do it one by one and getting nuts

I have the wand, but use my iron like Dawn, the bling queen, does--the wand is entirely too slow for lots of crystals, and I do it after it's washed and blocked. But my tip is that you can move it slightly if it is not in a perfect place after it's hot and before it cools down. You don't want to move it far because it would leave a trail of glue, but if it's a tiny bit off place, you can use something like a bamboo skewer to move it while it's hot to perfection. I think I'm a rhinestone cowgirl at heart...I love the bling.

What Margo & Dawn said....

Nancy

Yup, Keith! Ditto what Margo said! Always AFTER you have done the quilting, and usually before it is washed. So, if you are eager to apply crystals to that fully quilted area (Be sure you really are NOT going to do any more quilting in that area!) you can apply them now. The best advice I have ever received is; when the crystals have cooled down, 'pick' at each and every one of them with your finger nail, to be sure they are all well secured. By doing this, I have actually found some crystals that I have totally missed with the iron.

Also, practice with a few crystals on a scrap, until you get the hang of it, before you heat set them to your "prized" quilt! They can be moved ever so slightly while the glue is still hot and fluid, but occasionally they will leave a shadow of glue where it was slid from.

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Hey Keith! I'm not a blingy person either, but I do know that you do it after you have quilted so that you don't have to dodge them or sew around them. And, I added some to a tee-shirt that has been washed a bazillion times, and none have come off, so washing doesn't seem to be a problem.
(I don't wear it out...it's just a sleepshirt!)