Using Rhinestones to Make a Hair Piece

Info about the Rhinestones have a lot of impact in just a small area. So, if you want to attract a lot of attention with just a small hairpiece, this is the one for you.

Supplies:

Rhinestones – loose
rhinestones, rhinestone
strips, or rhinestone belt
Scissors
Needle
Thread
E6000 glue
Toothpicks
Ruler
Hair clips or barrettes
Piece of Lycra or wide
elastic for headband
Paper plates for glue

Directions:

Choosing Your Materials

Before you decide which type of rhinestones you want to purchase, you have to decide what kind of hairpiece you feel will best enhance your costume. You have to decide if you want plain rhinestones or colored rhinestones. You also have to decide whether you want a headband or a smaller hairpiece like a barrette or clip. For a headband, you would want a metal backed rhinestone strip. For a clip or barrette, you would want a rhinestone strip or loose rhinestones.

As far as the glue is concerned, we prefer the E6000 in a tube rather than in the syringe. We just put a small amount of glue on the paper plate and then use toothpicks to spread the glue where you want it. When using individual rhinestones or pearls, we dip the toothpick in the glue, pick up the rhinestone by tapping the back of the rhinestone with the glued toothpick and then flip the rhinestone or pearl over onto the spot you want it to go. You could also put the glue on the back of the rhinestone or pearl and use tweezers to transfer them to the spot you want them to end up. But, it is your choice if you want to use the glue from a tube or the glue in a syringe. .

Create the hairpiece

Rhinestone Headband - The first thing we are going to show you is making a headband from a metal backed rhinestone strip. The metal backed rhinestone strip is very secure and it will not come apart. Some of the rhinestone strips come on a mesh backing and if you pull on them or twist them, they will come apart. Consequently, you do not want to make a headband using rhinestones on a mesh backing. You will want to use the metal backed rhinestone strip. To create a little stretch for this headband, we are using a small strip of Lycra. You can also use elastic if you prefer. Measure the circumference of your head. Cut the Lycra strip to the width of the rhinestone belt. Then, cut the rhinestone belt two to three inches shorter than the circumference of your head. Next, cut the lycra or elastic long enough to create ties to add to the ends of the headband. Overlapping the rhinestone belt and the Lycra or elastic, sew the end of the Lycra or the elastic to the end of the rhinestone belt on the inside of the belt. Starting from the inside, stitch in and out through the belt pulling the thread securely so that it stays hidden. Sew the stitches the width of the rhinestone belt. To be sure that it is secure, use E6000 glue to glue the excess of the Lycra or elastic to the rhinestone belt and then put some glue on top of the stitches. Then, continue the stitches down the very end of the elastic or Lycra strip to make extra sure that the connection is secure. Repeat the process at the other end of the rhinestone strip and you have a great headband. This headband would be tied onto your head.

If you prefer not to have the elastic ties hanging loose, you can cut the metalidl rhinestone belt the same as above, but add one smaller piece to both ends of the rhinestone belt creating one continuous loop that would equal the circumference of your head. In other words, if your head measurement is 20 inches, cut the rhinestone belt to 17 inches. Then, cut the elastic or lycra to 3 inches (20 inches – 17 inches = 3 inches). Overlap the ends of the rhinestone belt and the ends of the elastic or lycra by ½ inch. This would make the headband a total of 19 ½ inches to make the headband a little snug without making it uncomfortable. To make the headband very strong and secure, sew and glue the ends of the lycra or elastic as described above but do not cut the elastic or lycra in half. Keep it in one piece. You now have a headband that is shaped like a loop that you do not have to tie. You can just slip it on and off.

Alternate Headband - An alternative way to make a headband would be to glue individual rhinestones and pearls or beads on to a strip of elastic. You would cut the elastic to the size needed and then glue the rhinestones, pearls and beads on the elastic strip in any pattern you choose. You can either cut the elastic longer so that there is extra elastic at each end of the headband and then tie the headband on, or you can cut the elastic to the appropriate length and then sew the ends together so you can just slip the headband over your head.

Rhinestone Barrette – The next thing we are going to show you is how to make a rhinestone barrette. First, you need to find a barrette that will fit under the rhinestone strip without sticking out. Then, cut the rhinestone strip to the length and width of the barrette. Last, glue the rhinestone strip to the barrette and let the glue dry. If you use the rhinestones that come on mesh, they are very easy to cut apart and make the rhinestone strips as wide as you want – one row of rhinestones, two rows of rhinestones, or three rows of rhinestones.
Rhinestone clip – With a rhinestone clip, you either need to find a strip that consists of two or three rows of rhinestones and using the E6000 glue, glue the strip to the clip. An alternative would be to glue rhinestone strips on each of the individual metal parts of the clip.

The rhinestone clip hairpiece would be the smallest of the hairpieces.