Sew-on rhinestones are the classic way to decorate with crystals when a garment cannot take heat or when every stone must stay securely in place for a long time. Each stone has holes for stitching by hand or with suitable machinery. Metex supplies garment manufacturers, bridal and eveningwear studios, costume makers and accessory producers with glass and acrylic sew-on stones, stones in metal settings and decorative crystal sewing buttons.
Glass and acrylic sew-on stones
Glass sew-on rhinestones have precise facets, strong sparkle and more weight; they usually have a flat, silver-mirrored back that boosts reflection. They suit bridal and evening dresses, bodices and luxury accessories. Acrylic sew-on stones are lighter and more economical, allow large sizes without weighing the fabric down and come in a far wider palette – transparent, opaque, pastel, neon and marbled. That makes them popular for dance costumes, childrenswear and volume decoration.
What the gallery contains
- Glass sew-on crystals – pointed-back rounds 10–16 mm, navettes 6×12 to 15×31 mm, drops 7×12 to 17×28 mm, triangles 16 and 22 mm, rectangles 5×15 and 6×18 mm, ovals 10×14 and 13×18 mm, 16×21 mm zigzag shapes and 8–12 mm squares, each in 10 colours.
- Acrylic sew-on stones – rounds from 6 to 35 mm plus drops, navettes, ovals, squares, baguettes, rectangles and triangles in crystal, black, red, blue and gold.
- Acrylic colour card – over 40 faceted oval shades, from transparent and saturated to opaque, pastel and neon.
- Stones in metal settings – round, oval, drop, square, octagonal and navette shapes with a plain or dotted edge, plus a series with settings studded with tiny rhinestones.
- Decorative mosaic stones – acrylic flowers, rhombuses and rings set with multicoloured stones in antique gold or bronze-look frames.
- Acrylic crystal sewing buttons – clear faceted rounds 10–30 mm and rectangular, oval, square, heart and triangular shapes from 9×9 to 32×32 mm.
Specifications
| Group | Shapes | Sizes | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass crystals | round, navette, drop, triangle, rectangle, oval, square, zigzag | 5×15 to 17×28 mm; rounds 10–16 mm | 10 incl. AB |
| Acrylic stones | round, drop, navette, oval, square, baguette, triangle | 6–35 mm; 8×24, 10×30 mm | 40+ |
| Stones in settings | round, oval, drop, square, octagon, navette | by model | crystal, black, red, blue, green, smoky |
| Crystal buttons | round, rectangle, oval, square, heart, triangle | 9×9 to 32×32 mm | clear |
Most stones have two holes; larger stones and some shapes have four.
Where they are used
Glass sew-on crystals decorate bodices, necklines and belts on bridal and evening dresses. Large acrylic stones are ideal for dance, sports and stage costumes because they add impact without weight. Coloured and pastel stones suit childrenswear and carnival costumes, while stones in metal settings work as accents on outerwear and knitwear or in place of a button. Mosaic and framed stones also decorate bags, shoes, belts and hair accessories.
How to choose
- Sparkle or lightness – glass for maximum brilliance, acrylic for large quantities on light fabrics.
- Shape and size – small 6–10 mm rounds for fills and outlines; drops, navettes and large ovals as focal points.
- Setting – stones with a metal setting resist knocks and abrasion and suit outerwear and bags.
- Colour – match the fabric or the other trims of the collection; send a swatch for an exact shade.
Sewing and care
Use strong sewing thread matched to the fabric, or clear monofilament. Pass through each hole at least twice and secure the thread inside after each stone or group. Do not pull the thread tight on stretch fabrics. Wash gently and never iron directly on the stones.
Sew-on stones in production
For series decoration, every piece should look the same, so a template or marking on the pattern is usually prepared, with a reference sample for complex designs. Sewing the large focal stones first and the small fill stones after speeds up the work. For large volumes, consider a mix: sew on the key stones and cover background areas with a hot-fix transfer. Tell us the garment, fabric, desired effect and approximate number of stones per piece, and we will suggest materials, shapes and sizes.
Combinations and custom solutions
Sew-on stones pair well with crystal strips along edges and hot-fix rhinestone transfers for larger areas. Metex offers fast sampling and custom solutions to your design.
How to order
Send the material, shape, size, colour and quantity; check the sample on your fabric; receive an offer; then agree delivery. Browse all crystals and appliques or contact Metex at +359 893 740 707 or info@metex.bg.