How can I tone down a too light crystal?

[Dawn S.]

I put many crystals onto a quilt I am finishing up, and when I hung it to get a better look, the really pale ones (because the background in those areas was light) stand out too much. I was able to reheat some, remove, and replace with a darker one. I have an area of pale blue that the Lt Sapphire just looks like a clear crystal on. I could order a few regular Sapphire ones, but hate to spend even MORE on this quilt, (the shipping is more than the crystals) and I'm running out of time. If I could just darken them somehow. They are 2mm; quite small. I'm looking for an easy fix, so thought I'd put my dilemma out there for you to ponder. Thanks in advance!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwestern Montana

[Dawn S.]

Well, if you have one or two you could test on, I would say to try a permanent marker. It would work until you can get what you want.

[Betty J.]

Dawn, I haven't a clue, but I appreciate your putting the question up here, because it's something good to think about when placing crystals. I hope you manage to solve it. If you do, please let us know how you did it. BJ

[Betty J.]

have seen in a video that if you want to take off some crystals you need to heat up the crystal again and move it away.
i hope i answered your question.
if you want to make darker the lighter crystal you can paint them carefuly with permanent ink.
good luck

[Dawn S.]

Thank you all! I did try the marker and it is "okay," and if it were just for me, I would leave it. But, since the quilt is sold, and will also go into the upcoming quilt show here, I placed an order with Sues Sparklers this morning for a slighly darker color. Since I did not like the lighter colors on the quilt, I was using more of my darker colors than I had anticipated, so also needed more of another color. THAT was the deciding factor to place an order. I am cutting it close, but prayerfully (Is that a word?) should have a week to spare. Dawn

[Betty J.]

Dawn, I'd love to see pics of your quilt. I love hot fix crystals on quilts. I think you made the decision I would have on the crystals. I think prayerfully is a very good word. :lol:

[Dawn S.]

Betty Jo, I found it very hard to capture crystals in a photo of a quilt! On the last quilt I added lots of bling to, I needed to get the light just right and zoom in quite a bit! It showed up well then, but it the crystals were an outline. This one is a "spinkling," and although it has between 300 and 400 crystals, when I have it up on my design wall, just a few sparkle at any given time of day. I will get a photo of it (and my other one) up soon. My DH is almost finished with a very time consuming project, and he's my photo helper. Dawn

[Dawn S.]

Your other option could have been nail varnish, but I would recommend that you cut out a mask to protect the fabric whilst painting them.

The idea is obviously too late now, but you could bear it in mind for future.

Rosemary.