Competition Bikini Suit Designs

The most cost effective way to purchase rhinestone crystals for personal use is in 1 gross {12 dozen} increments.  This may sound like a lot of stones, but it doesn’t go as far as you’d like.  Below is one gross of stones laid out on an A/B cup triangle top. 

So what does this mean for the actual design?  I’ve replicated some popular suit designs below, sharing what stones I used and where you can buy them from.  Please note, these designs are based on an A/B top and small bottoms.  You’ll want to increase the number of stones slightly for larger cup and/or bottom sizes.  I also over buy by about 25%, just in case stones fall off or I want a different look when I start laying out the stones.

Accent stones radiating from top corners

[new photos coming soon]

This design is incredibly common on stage, partially due to its price point.  You can purchase a suit with this design for $200 – $275.  

Recreate this design using:
– 49 ss16 emerald crystals:  11 for each triangle, 11 for the bottom front, and 16 for the bottom back
– 42 ss16 peridot AB crystals:  9 for each triangle, 9 for the bottom front, and 14 for the bottom back

Purchase:  1 gross ss16 emerald crystals {$5.28} and 1 gross ss16 peridot AB crystals {$6.36}.  This will give you plenty of extras if your suit is larger or if you want to add ore stones to the design.

Total rhinestone cost: $11.64

 

Stones radiating from one corner across suit

[new photos coming soon]

I love the way this design shimmers on stage.  Using two colors that complement the fabric adds a subtle shimmer while crystal or crystal AB will catch extra light for a silver sparkle.  You can purchase this suit for $275 – $430.  Suits with multiple colors, like the design below, cost more to purchase from popular suit companies – but not more to make.

Recreate this design using:
– 252 ss16 deep tanzanite crystals:  72 for each triangle, 72 for the bottom front, and 36 for the bottom back
– 252 ss16 fuchsia crystals:  72 for each triangle, 72 for the bottom front, and 36 for the bottom back

Purchase:  2 gross ss16 deep tanzanite crystals {$10.52} and 2 gross ss16 fuchsia crystals {$10.52}.  You will have 36 extra of each color if your suit is larger or you want to add more stones – if this is likely, order one more gross of the primary color to ensure you have plenty.  Alternately, you can use fewer stones on the bottom front to free up more stones for the top.

Total rhinestone cost:  $21.04

Fully stoned with minimal spacing between stones

A fully encrusted suit typically costs $350 – $550, based on how intricate the design is.  The options are endless – v-shapes, striped, swirling patterns, or a scattered colors, like this example.  

Recreate this design using:
– 408 ss16 burgundy crystals:  144 for each triangle, 96 for the bottom front, and 24 for the bottom back.
– 408 ss16 siam crystals:  144 for each triangle, 96 for the bottom front, and 24 for the bottom back.
– 408 ss16 siam AB crystals:  144 for each triangle, 96 for the bottom front, and 24 for the bottom back.

Purchase:  3 gross ss16 burgundy crystals {$15.84}, 3 gross ss16 siam crystals {$15.84}, and 3 gross ss16 siam AB crystals {19.08}.  This leaves only 24 extras of each color, so if your suit is larger, you may want to pick one color and purchase an additional 1 gross.

Total rhinestone cost: $50.76

Fully stoned without spacing

The less spacing you have between stones, the more stones you need – and the harder the stones are to place.  You also run the risk of the stones catching under each other as the fabric moves, which can cause stones to come off.  Personally, I prefer the moderate to minimal spacing designs on my suits, but wanted to provide this to show how many stones it takes.

Recreate this design using:
– 408 ss16 aqua AB crystals:  144 for each triangle, 96 for the bottom front, and 24 for the bottom back
– 408 ss16 light amethyst crystals:  144 for each triangle, 96 for the bottom front, and 24 for the bottom back.
– 552 ss16 purple heliotrope crystals:  216 for each triangle, 96 for the bottom front, and 24 for the bottom back.

Purchase:  3 gross ss16 aqua AB crystals {$19.08}, 3 gross ss16 light amethyst crystals {$15.84}, and 4 gross ss16 purple heliotrope crystals {not available in HotFix; $18.72}.  This leaves 24 extras of each color, which should be plenty if your suit is larger.  If you’re worried about running out of stones, order 1 additional gross of the middle color.

Total rhinestone cost:  $53.64

Have a design and are wondering what the colors are and/or how many stones to buy to recreate it yourself?  Email me or post the image to the comments.

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