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  • #1

    For the sewers and cosplayers- rhinestone question

    So I'm working on a costume, and I want to add a little shimmer to the ribbon trim I'm planning to use, with some hot fix rhinestones.

    I've found a site that offers them for a good price, even by the gross. However, I've got a question- they offer both regular rhinestones, and Swarovski crystal.

    Aside from price, what's the difference? I really want some sparkle, these have to look good on stage. As for color, plain white (diamond) is all I need this time around.
    Am I paying just for the swarovski name if I go with those, or do they really look better than generic rhinestones?
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  • #2
    They totally do. Regular rhinestones look really cheap in comparison. It must be the material they use.
    "Is it hot in here to you? It's very warm, isn't it?"--Nero, probably

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    • #3
      At a craft show I went to a few years ago, a vendor was showing the difference between Swarovski and generic rhinestones. He had two pieces of black fabric, one covered in stones, and one with about half the amount of stones. The Swarovski was obvious as when the light hit the stones, it just sparkled. The first piece of fabric with the generic stones had nothing on the Swarovski, even with twice the number of stones.

      There is a reason why Swarovski is the crystal of choice for chandeliers. You really aren't paying for the name, but more for the quality. Hell, Swarovski is quality. And on stage, those crystals will be gorgeous.

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      • #4
        I'm an occasional costume designer so my answer depends on a couple of things:
        Is your costume the only one with rhinestones?
        What is the lighting set up for the play?
        What are the other costumes like?
        How often are you going to wear the costume?
        Personally, I'd go with the Swarovski 'cause as ozcatbug mentioned you can get by with less.
        I'd go with cheaper if:
        This is for a one month run with constant costume changes (thinking about replacement costs).
        The lighting set up is crap (or outdoors).
        Other costumes are using the cheaper ones.

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        • #5
          Sewers? What do drains have to do with rhinestones?

          Oh, wait - Ohhhhhhhhhh...

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          • #6
            Quoth TheSHAD0W View Post
            Sewers? What do drains have to do with rhinestones?

            Oh, wait - Ohhhhhhhhhh...
            Lol, yes the technical term would be "seamstress." I was a bit confused as well, I was coming in here expecting "Are we going to glitz up the septic system? AWESOMMEEE"
            My Writing Blog -Updated 05/06/2013
            It's so I can get ideas out of my head, I decided to put it in a blog in case people are bored or are curious as to the (many) things in progress.

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            • #7
              ... I keep thinking TMNT... >_>

              ^-.-^
              Faith is about what you do. It's about aspiring to be better and nobler and kinder than you are. It's about making sacrifices for the good of others. - Dresden

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              • #8
                Swarovski all the way.

                I use them in jewelry. You cannot beat them, they're totally gorgeous.
                When you start at zero, everything's progress.

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                • #9
                  I'm actually a cosplayer looking to give my outfit some extra sparkle on the convention stage.
                  I'm planning to get some ribbon trim like this:
                  http://pillagedvillage.com/images/at...White_Gold.jpg
                  and apply the crystals either in the center of the white areas, or in between.

                  I'm also fabric painting a leaf pattern on parts of the tunic in gold and copper, and was thinking of using some crystals scattered over the leaves to suggest water droplets.

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                  • #10
                    Since it doesn't sound like you're going to need a whole ton of stones, and you seem willing to invest in some quality materials, I'd say splurge on the crystals.

                    I wonder if you'd be able to take the stones off and reuse them on another costume later.
                    My webcomic is called Sidekick Girl. Val's job is kinda like retail, except instead of corporate's dumb policies, it's the Hero Agency, and the SC's are trying to take over the world.

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                    • #11
                      I don't have any intention of picking this costume apart- it's meant to be a competition quality piece, that I'll keep around for using again. That and trying to take off the stones would probably damage the ribbon. I'm thinking I may need at least two gross easily - the ribbon design repeats every 3/4 inches or so, and this vest is ankle length, with two hanging panels below the waist. I'm not sure if I'm going to put any on the back- maybe not, because the back will be hidden under a cloak most of the time, and the back part below the waist also gets sat on.
                      Also, the vest itself is silk dupioni (I found it online WAY cheaper than the local fabric store charges!), so I don't want to sew trim onto it, only to rip it off later.

                      My cosplay outfits often get re-used in interesting ways- last year I wore the hand tooled apron of my Shaak Ti costume to a winter solstice ritual- it looked awesome with my red velveteen full length coat (edged with black fake fur and gold braid), and a long green kimono-style tunic.
                      Last edited by Amanita; 08-04-2012, 09:24 AM.

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