Is the Singer: All that Gem Setter, Really All That?

I have always been known to make and customize my own clothing, and I especially love adding little extra bling or detail to my denim jeans or jackets. However over the years my time became so limited that poking holes in denim just to add rhinestones with clamps became too time consuming. Although I do find the result to be of higher quality than using a heat tool to affix gems or rhinestones.

I came across the Singer All That, Gem Setter at a local thrift store still in it's box for $3.00. Within the kit came the heat tool, and gems and rhinestones to affix to clothing or canvas. Each gem comes with glue pre-affixed to the back of the flat-head rhinestones and shapes.

To get them to stick onto clothing you need to first place them where you want them on the article of clothing, wait for the heat tool to heat up, and press them on to the top of the gem. After a few seconds you release the heat tool from the gem and let it cool off.

It all sounded so simple, but my main concern was how well the gem would stay put. I enjoy using rhinestone studs with claw teeth to affix gems so they never fall off, so this hot tool method was really something new to me and I worried about the quality of the hold.

My first use with the Singer All That Gem Setter went well enough, and I was stunned at how simple it was to use. I decided to add some pink mini gems to the rim of a denim skirt, and it worked wonderfully, I had a skirt now that went from looking like it had cost me $10.00, to costing me $80.00. Not to shabby, no mess, no glue leaking, and no hole poking with clamps.

The Singer All That Gem Setter comes with an on/off button attached to the plug, it is easy to use, but I do wish there was a light that showed when the tool would be hot enough for use. You really cannot even tell it is on, as there is no light indication. Basically you just smell it heating up.

Did The Gems Stay Put?
 
I wore the skirt the next day, and discovered that a gem had in fact fallen loose from the fabric. I was pretty angry, but when I realized the gem that had fallen off was the very first one I glued on, I was not as upset, because it was my first try, and everything is all about trial and error. I figured I had not let the tool heat up enough, and this was what may have caused that one gem to fall loose.

I affixed a new gem, and put the tool up to the final test. Would the gems stay on after washing the clothing?

I washed the skirt, and was happy to see that all of the gems stood on the skirt. The new gem I affixed was still in place, and everything seemed to hold up wonderfully.

Overall:
 
This tool is easy enough for a child to use, and it creates a lot of fun projects, and will amp up your wardrobe. It was fast, easy and fun, even for adults! When it comes to the Singer All That Gem Setter, I could not recommend it enough. I had no gems stick or melt to the tip of the tool, and the gems seem to hold up really well. Just make sure you let the tool heat up for a bit before affixing your first gem.