Making Glitter Tights
All right, so I was feeling creative as fuck so I decided to make some glitter tights for GACKT'S final LVL shows.
Because why the fuck not.
So, here's my impromptu methodology in case anyone else wants to try it out.
Beware, this is at least a two/three hour process and can get pretty messy so do it at least 24 hrs in advance and with plenty of time to spend:
Step One
Buy all the glitter.
I used glitter made for nail art, ordered from Rakuten, but... You can't really go wrong with glitter.
You'll also need fabric glue, brushes for the glue and glitter application, a marker for tracing the pattern and of course a pair of tights... Or whatever fabric you plan on dazzling up.
I got the fabric glue and brushes at Daiso. No need for anything expensive, since it'll be ruined by the end.
For the glitter, I used about three of the little pots in total for the tights.
Step Two
Make your stencils. You can free hand, but that will make you a braver soul than me.
You just need the rough shape.
Step Three
Trace the pattern onto the clothing.
For tights, I recommend putting them on unless you can find an effective way of stretching them out. However, this way, you'll have total control over the placing and the pattern won't warp later.
I used gold marker under the gold glitter and black under the black since it reinforces the color. I did rough traces, and filled in the harder lines free hand to give it exactly the shape I wanted.
The main part is getting your spacing right.
If you fuck up, you can use acetone (nail polish remover) and lightly dab the spot with it, it should remove the marker from the cloth.
Also, if you get little snags from the marker, don't worry since the glue and glitter will cover them later.
Once you've filled in your lines and are happy (hopefully) it's time to glue.
Step Four
Glue and glitter!!!
If you have sensitive skin, try an allergy test beforehand since it will be sticking to your skin.
Trace the glue over the ink, doing one character at a time. Then dip a separate brush into the glitter and dab it over the glue. Don't brush, just dab, and don't worry if it doesn't fill in completely, you can go over it again later.
I recommend keeping water or wet wipes nearby to clean your glitter brush between characters since it'll get gunky.
Don't worry if glitter goes outside the lines now, you'll be able to brush it off later.
Step Five
Once you finish one leg, switch to the other. The first one can dry, and then you can switch back to it if you think you need a second layer of glitter.
Once you're done, wait for the glue to dry and brush off the excess glitter.
Then, slowly peel the clothing off. It will stick to your skin (so shave beforehand, maybe? Lol).
But it came off pretty easily for me, so long as I kept my hold close to the skin.
Step Six
Shake off the tights and hang them to dry overnight. The excess glitter will come off easily once the glue dries fully and you'll be left with a nice, clean pattern.
The nude/black I had just finished so they're a bit more messy for the glitter that hasn't separated yet.
Step Seven
Vacuum the fuck out of your work space. Also, you'll probably need a shower to scrub off the remaining marker, glue and glitter.
Step Eight
Profit.
Because why the fuck not.
So, here's my impromptu methodology in case anyone else wants to try it out.
Beware, this is at least a two/three hour process and can get pretty messy so do it at least 24 hrs in advance and with plenty of time to spend:
Step One
Buy all the glitter.
I used glitter made for nail art, ordered from Rakuten, but... You can't really go wrong with glitter.
You'll also need fabric glue, brushes for the glue and glitter application, a marker for tracing the pattern and of course a pair of tights... Or whatever fabric you plan on dazzling up.
I got the fabric glue and brushes at Daiso. No need for anything expensive, since it'll be ruined by the end.
For the glitter, I used about three of the little pots in total for the tights.
Step Two
Make your stencils. You can free hand, but that will make you a braver soul than me.
You just need the rough shape.
Step Three
Trace the pattern onto the clothing.
For tights, I recommend putting them on unless you can find an effective way of stretching them out. However, this way, you'll have total control over the placing and the pattern won't warp later.
I used gold marker under the gold glitter and black under the black since it reinforces the color. I did rough traces, and filled in the harder lines free hand to give it exactly the shape I wanted.
The main part is getting your spacing right.
If you fuck up, you can use acetone (nail polish remover) and lightly dab the spot with it, it should remove the marker from the cloth.
Also, if you get little snags from the marker, don't worry since the glue and glitter will cover them later.
Once you've filled in your lines and are happy (hopefully) it's time to glue.
Step Four
Glue and glitter!!!
If you have sensitive skin, try an allergy test beforehand since it will be sticking to your skin.
Trace the glue over the ink, doing one character at a time. Then dip a separate brush into the glitter and dab it over the glue. Don't brush, just dab, and don't worry if it doesn't fill in completely, you can go over it again later.
I recommend keeping water or wet wipes nearby to clean your glitter brush between characters since it'll get gunky.
Don't worry if glitter goes outside the lines now, you'll be able to brush it off later.
Step Five
Once you finish one leg, switch to the other. The first one can dry, and then you can switch back to it if you think you need a second layer of glitter.
Once you're done, wait for the glue to dry and brush off the excess glitter.
Then, slowly peel the clothing off. It will stick to your skin (so shave beforehand, maybe? Lol).
But it came off pretty easily for me, so long as I kept my hold close to the skin.
Step Six
Shake off the tights and hang them to dry overnight. The excess glitter will come off easily once the glue dries fully and you'll be left with a nice, clean pattern.
The nude/black I had just finished so they're a bit more messy for the glitter that hasn't separated yet.
Step Seven
Vacuum the fuck out of your work space. Also, you'll probably need a shower to scrub off the remaining marker, glue and glitter.
Step Eight
Profit.