How To Remove Sequins From Clothes – Easy Way 2023

You can find sequins on curtains, upholstery, home furnishings, cushions, pillowcases, etc. Usually, they are used for printing and embroidery mix to create an expensive look. Since we all know sequins are great and they enhance the look of a dress and other items but over a certain period of time it gets loose, fade, or most likely they fall off. In this situation, you’d not want to keep a dress with half or a few portion blank and another side with sequins, right?

At this point either you’d remove them from your dress or you’d drop off the dress. How to remove sequins from clothes? Well, as a sewing enthusiast creativity and adventure have been our part and to push this skill a step forward is to practice complex tasks like this one. But if you don’t do it properly you’d mostly end up ruining your clothes. In this article, we’ve made a brief scan through a discussion about the methods you can use to get this job done for yourself.

Key Takeaways

It is completely fine to remove sequins as there are many reasons for doing so, most of which is its outdated style.
There are various types of sequins and their removal is different so get to know about them beforehand.
Choose any of the mentioned methods to get the desired outcome that you are looking for when removing the sequin.

Why You Want to Remove Sequins from a Dress?

There could be several reasons you may want to remove sequins from a dress.

Some of the most common ones are:

The sequins may be damaged or falling off, which can make the dress look worn or unkempt.
The sequins may be uncomfortable or irritating to wear, especially if they are scratching or rubbing against the skin.
The sequins may be outdated or no longer in style, and the person may want to update the dress to give it a more modern look.
The person may want to alter the dress, such as shortening the hemline or changing the sleeves, and removing the sequins can make it easier to work with the fabric.
The dress may be too flashy or over-the-top for a particular occasion or event, and removing the sequins can make it more appropriate.

Types of Sequins

Sequins are decorative embellishments that are commonly used in fashion, crafts, and other forms of art. There are several different types of sequins, each with its own unique characteristics and uses.

Here are some of the most common types of sequins:

Flat sequins: These are the most common type of sequins and are usually made of plastic or metal. They are flat and disk-shaped, with a hole in the center that can be used for sewing or attaching to the fabric.

Cupped sequins: These sequins are similar to flat sequins but are shaped like shallow cups. This makes them more reflective and creates a 3D effect when they are attached to the fabric.

Paillette sequins: These are larger, more ornate sequins that are often used for costumes and theatrical productions. They can be made of a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and fabric.

Holographic sequins: These sequins are coated with a special holographic film that creates a rainbow-like effect when they catch the light. They are popular for dance costumes and other high-impact performances.

Matte sequins: These sequins have a non-shiny, matte finish that makes them subtler and more sophisticated. They are often used for eveningwear and other formal occasions.

Iridescent sequins: These sequins have a special coating that creates a shimmering, color-shifting effect when they catch the light. They are popular for fashion and crafts and are often used for statement pieces like handbags and jewelry.

4 Ways How to Remove Sequins from Clothes

There could be many ways to remove sequins but only proven or effective ones are worthy to take notes of. Here are a few of them:

1.Lint Roller

If your fabric has loose or large sequins that are not firmly attached to it, a lint roller may be a good option for removing them.

Apply gentle pressure to the adhesive surface to pick up the sequins without damaging the wool fibers when using a lint roller. The number of sequins and how well they have adhered to the fabric may determine how many times you have to go over the same area.
Avoid damaging wool fibers by using a gentle touch when using a lint roller on wool fabric. Do not push too hard or use a back-and-forth motion that could pull at the fabric. Roll in one direction slowly and steadily instead.
If sequins are firmly attached to the fabric, a lint roller may not be sufficient to remove them. A hot iron or rubbing alcohol can be used to remove sequins that have been glued or sewn in place.

2.Glue Solvent

If you apply this method then you should know that removing the glue after you are done removing sequins is important and for that, you can use goo gone since it helps to remove any sort of stains, and adhesive very amazingly. No more information here’s a step-by-step brief on how to use a glue solvent to remove sequins from clothes:

Apply a small amount of glue solvent. Squeeze out any excess liquid after the cotton swab or cloth has been dipped in the solvent.
Do not apply excessive pressure when dabbing the solvent on the sequins. Otherwise, it’ll damage the fabric or create new stains. Do not get the solvent on the surrounding fabric or fibers, but apply it directly to the sequins.
Once the glue holding the sequin in place has been dissolved, allow the solvent to cool for a few minutes. The sequins need to be attached for a specific amount of time, depending on the glue strength and how long it has taken to attach the sequin.
If the sequin is still strongly attached, apply more solvent after a few minutes and remove the sequin slowly by gently using tweezers or your fingers.
When you have removed all the sequins from the clothing, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing.

3.Tin foil

Using tin foil can also be an effective method for removing sequins from clothing, including wool fabric. Here’s how to use tin foil to remove sequins:

Cut a piece of tin foil that is slightly larger than the sequin you want to remove.
Fold the tin foil in half, shiny side out, to create a double layer.
Place the folded tin foil under the fabric where the sequin is located. Make sure the shiny side of the foil is facing up, and that the sequin is directly on top of the foil.
Gently press down on the fabric above the sequin, using a hot iron set to a low heat setting. You can check the temperature in between for adjustments.
Once the sequin has adhered to the tin foil, gently lift the foil and remove the sequin from the fabric. Use a pair of tweezers if needed to help lift the sequin off the fabric.

4.Acetone

Acetone is another option for removing sequins from clothes, but it should only be used on fabrics that can withstand exposure to the chemical. Here’s how to use acetone to remove sequins:

Preparation:

Check the label on your fabric to make sure it can safely handle acetone. Acetone can be harsh on some fabrics and cause discoloration or damage, so it’s important to check first. If you’re unsure, it’s best to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before proceeding. Also, don’t forget to put on gloves to protect your hands from the acetone. Acetone is drying and irritating to the skin so protect it properly.

Dip a cotton swab or a clean, white cloth into the acetone. You only need a small amount of acetone to dissolve the glue holding the sequin in place.
Gently dab the acetone onto the sequin, making sure not to apply too much pressure or get the acetone on the surrounding fabric.
Focus on applying the acetone directly onto the sequin, and avoid getting it on any surrounding fabric or fibers.
Allow the acetone to dissolve the glue holding the sequin in place for a few minutes. The amount of time needed will depend on the strength of the glue and how long the sequin has been attached.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to gently lift off the sequin. Once the glue has been dissolved, you should be able to easily lift off the sequin. If the sequin is still firmly attached, apply a bit more acetone and wait a few more minutes before attempting to remove it.

What do experts say about removing sequins?

There’s no hard and fast opinion about it since it depends on personal preference whether you want it or not. But there’s a general discussion about it where it goes like, this is not a good idea. Even though it is possible with expertise but it won’t serve the proper result often. The fundamental reason for this is, it is time-consuming which causes irritation and attention lacking as a result the clothes or fabric gets damaged and becomes unattractive.

Do sequins come off wash?

Yes, if you wash on a gentle, cold wash it will degrade the quality of the fabric and can lead to fading, shrinking or sequins would be coming off in the wash.

Final Thoughts

Apparently, it is a really daunting task, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be done easily and effectively. Just ensure you follow the steps and procedure without skipping any steps. During the process of removing sequins, some of them might be hard to remove and in this case, you can use tweezers, scissors, or a seam ripper for a clean and smooth finish. Lastly, the removal approach depends on the fabric, sequins amount, and your expertise in this task. So, take your time and work slowly with a little bit of patience and effort.

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