Applying Hotfix diamante to tulle?

Gleeful

Hi guys

I'm going to be using hotfix diamantes on tulle. Am I crazy?

Has anyone tried this before? I have bought some gemtac just in case I end up having to glue them on. Should I invest in a hotfix tool, or is the whole process just too risky? (I have heard that heat melts the tulle).


Any help really appreciated, thank you!

Jo_F

Haven't tried it on tulle yet, but I bought some hotfix crystals and applied them with a soldering iron (didn't want to fork out for a tool when I had the iron laying around doing nothing)

They are easy to apply, but bear in mind that the glue will seep through the weave of the fabic, so be careful what you lay it on when you are sticking.

Gleeful

Jo_F wrote: »

Haven't tried it on tulle yet, but I bought some hotfix crystals and applied them with a soldering iron (didn't want to fork out for a tool when I had the iron laying around doing nothing)

They are easy to apply, but bear in mind that the glue will seep through the weave of the fabic, so be careful what you lay it on when you are sticking.

Soldering iron - genius!

I'll use the transfer paper underneath to stop the glue getting anywhere else

Thanks for your help

bravobeastie

I'm not sure if you can see them on the dress but i fixed just short of 1000 diamantes on my daughters bridesmaid dress by using a variety of methods. I found trying to iron them on very difficult, I also tried the gluegun option which was messy. In the end I used a strong craft glue with applicator which was perfect and dried clear.

linky

Limara

Gleeful wrote: »

Soldering iron - genius!

There are 2 types of hotfix crystals one is glass and one is a plastic that looks almost the same, I would say a soldering iron is hotter than my hotfix applicator and would guess if you have the acrylic stone it would be hot enough to melt them.
The applicator picks up the crystals ( sometimes) but to attach to tulle you would heat the crystal in the applicator tip until the glue melts holding the applicator upright then quickly place it on minimising heat contact with the tuelle so i would say your best way of doing it with a soldering iron would be to attach it to something to hold the hot end upright then hold the crystal on it with tweezers then attach to the tulle this way you are not geting the heat near the fabric and too much heat will atthe very least distort the tulle and at worst melt it! if you were working on denim you would hold the applicator on the stone directly on the fabric.
if I am doing single stone work I always do them in straight rows on the transfer paper that makes it easier for you to heat and place them one at a time.
if you do decided to go with a glue option gem tac works brilliant on stones and sequins and dries totally clear its messy to do and very time consuming compaired to hot fix