How to Glue Rhinestones on Jeans

By: Erica Loop

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Take jeans from blah and boring to super stylish with a fancy rhinestone re-do. Whether you want to embellish a new pair of jeans to fit your latest fancy or are looking to jazz up worn-looking denim from the back of your closet, gluing rhinestones onto your pants can create a custom transformation. Glue on an abstract design, make your own imaginatively intricate pattern or use a ready-made stencil to plot out your super-shiny rhinestone-clad style.

Step 1

Try on your jeans in front of a full-length mirror. Choose a design to plot out on your pants. Using a washable pen or marker, draw out the plan. If you can't free-hand it, use a stencil to map out the pattern. Take the jeans off and add the rest of the design to the back side of the denim.

Step 2

Insert cardboard between the layers of denim to create a barrier that will stop glue from seeping through. Lay the jeans flat, with the cardboard in the middle, on the work surface.

Step 3

Pour a golf ball-sized pool of fabric glue onto a paper plate. Dip the end of a toothpick into the glue and dot it on the denim where you want the first rhinestone to go.

Step 4

Press a rhinestone firmly onto the glue. Remove any excess that squeezes out around the edges with a clean toothpick. Continue with this process until you cover the entire front-side design. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

Step 5

Turn the jeans over, keeping them flat on the work area. Pour a new plate of glue. Repeat the dipping and pressing steps for the back side of your jeans. After you finish, set the jeans aside to dry again overnight.