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There comes a time when our sewing skills are challenged. It comes in many forms. Sometimes it is a rip in our favorite shirt, a hemline that needs to be altered, a material that needs to be mended, or a challenging craft project.
We either seize upon the challenge, grab a needle and thread or a handheld sewing machine and breathe a sigh of relief if it is a success.
Or, we opt for an easier alternative.
Fabric glue is the ultimate alternative for those of us who lack sewing skills. In fact, it is something so useful that it is used even by those who have sewing skills; it is just that amazing.
More than an alternative to using a needle and thread, fabric glue is a versatile tool used in many different creative and functional ways. Let’s take a moment to learn what it is, how to find the best fabric glue, and what it can do to help with your creative endeavors.
Fabric Glue: A Definition
Fabric glue is a product that adheres a piece of fabric to another fabric or material. It is often used as an alternative to the traditional method of sewing with a needle and thread. The use of fabric glue in a project can be for a permanent or a temporary bond.
A Guide to Glue
Since there are so many fabric glues on the market, and they each have a special usage, it gets really confusing really quickly. It is information overload and it can be quite frustrating.
But we are here to eliminate the frustration for you. We’ve done the hard work and have gathered everything you need to know about fabric glue and put it in a nice, manageable layout for your convenience. The next time you use fabric glue, you will be able to easily, and without frustration, find the best type for your particular project.
Best Fabric Glue Spray
A fabric glue spray is ideal for those projects that are large. Spraying the glue is just easier than squeezing and spreading glue on an immense area of the material. This type of fabric glue is something you would use when crafting a No-Sew Roller Shade.
Elmer’s Extra-Strength Spray Adhesive
- Strong and permanent bond
- Works with paper, plastic, metal, fabric, and wood
- Dries clear
- Does not bleed through
Best Fabric Glue Stick
There are craft projects that are better suited to using a glue stick. Examples of these types of projects would be sewing, quilting, and embroidery. A fabric glue stick will help to position trims, zippers, hemlines, edges, and other pieces of fabric when sewing. The purpose of a fabric glue stick is to replace the pinning process.
Simply paste the fabric pieces together using the glue stick, sew the fabric together, and wash out the glue. This makes the sewing process much simpler and more effective than if you use the traditional pin and sew method.
Dritz 401 Fabric Glue Stick
- Temporary hold
- Non-acidic and non-toxic
- Inexpensive
Best Fabric Glue for Use with Leather
Leather is a part of the fabric world and needs its very own glue. Leather-working requires glue that will give a strong and sturdy, but flexible bond. It also needs to be something that will not yellow or bleed through.
Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Weld Adhesive
- Designed to work with leather
- Provides a safe and secure bond
- Dries off-white
Best Fabric Glue for Use with Vinyl
Vinyl fabric is often used to cover car seats and cushions. Since these are items that get a lot of wear and tear, it is nice to know that there are fabric glues made just for patching vinyl.
Loctite Vinyl, Fabric, & Plastic Glue
- Dries clear
- Is waterproof
- Has a flexible bond
- Can be used for both interior and exterior repairs
- Does not yellow
Best Waterproof Fabric Glue
A fabric glue that is waterproof is meant to be permanent. This type of glue works well on items that you want to remain secure for a long time and that will get a lot of use.
An example of a project that requires waterproof fabric glue is a beaded clutch bag. If you design and create a clutch bag like this, you will certainly want the beads to be secure in spite of time, temperature, and weather.
Aleene’s Platinum Bond Adhesive
- Dries clear
- Washable
- Does not yellow
- Has a strong, but flexible bond
- Specially created for crafting with embellishments and fabric
Best Fabric Glue for Use with Wood
It may sound odd, but gluing fabric to wood is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to spruce up your home décor. Instead of purchasing expensive new pieces, try revamping your old furnishings. From luxuriously posh to country chic, a touch of new fabric can revitalize anything.
Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue, and Finish
- Provides a matte finish that can be sanded once completely dried
- Dries clear
- Dries within a few minutes
- Non-Toxic
- For multipurpose use
Best Fabric Glue for Use with Metal
Some projects require that you glue fabric to a piece of metal. Take, for instance, this up-cycled tin can project. There is so much that can be done with a piece of fabric to turn plain metal into a work of art.
E6000 Craft Adhesive
- Is washable
- Is dryer safe
- Non-flammable
- Has a strong, but flexible bond
- Adheres to a variety of materials, including fabric, wood, metal, and glass
Best Fabric Glue for Use with Rubber
There are materials that are plain difficult to glue anything to. Rubber is one of those materials. The need to glue rubber to anything is usually in the world of car repairs and home remodels or upkeep. But it is nice to know that there are products on the market for any type of project, including pasting fabric to rubber.
Black Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive
- Forms a flexible bond when dry
- Is waterproof
- Adheres to a variety of materials, including metal and fabrics
- Resists temperature changes
- Dries black
- Dries quickly
- Spreads easily
Best Fabric Glue for Use with Paper
Paper and fabric are best friends in the crafting world. It’s easy to see why this is the case. They both bring color and versatility to any craft, plus, they are both very easy to paste to something else. Just get the right type of fabric glue and your project is sure to be spectacular.
Elmer’s Craft Bond Fabric and Paper Glue
- Is a versatile product that works to create a variety of arts and crafts projects
- Dries clear
- Bonds permanently when dry
- Adhesion is not affected by washing
- Moist glue cleans up easily
Best Fabric Glue for Use with Styrofoam
If you have never experienced the wonder of adhering Styrofoam and fabric together, you need to try a project like this Leaf Wall Art. It is a simple and inexpensive way to bring fancy-looking art into your home. Creativity and economy have never merged so beautifully as when fabric and Styrofoam are paired and pasted.
Aleene’s Felt & Foam Tacky Glue
- Bonds strongly when dry
- A thick formula that will not run
Best Fabric Glue for Use with Fabric
From the name, we can assume that fabric glue is meant to be used with fabric. However, there are many different types of fabric, so it is necessary to find a fabric glue that will work best for each one. Let’s look at a few of the most common types of fabric and discover which fabric glue pairs best with which fabric.
Canvas
Thick, heavy material – needs a glue with strength and firmness
504 Latex Glue
- Is water-resistant
- Adheres to almost any fabric
- Adheres to metal and wood
Cotton
- A versatile fabric used in many clothing and household items – needs a glue that will be flexible and sturdy
Aleene’s Jewel-It Embellishing Glue
- Dries quickly
- Dries flexible
- Dries clear
- Is waterproof and washable
Fleece Fabric
- A synthetic material made from plastic – hot glue is not recommended
- Moisture resistant – needs a glue that soaks into the material to form a bond
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive
- Dries quickly
- Dries flexible
- Dries clear
- Is waterproof and washable
Nylon
- Elastic – requires a glue that dries flexible
- Lightweight – requires a glue that will not weigh it down
- Smooth surface – requires a glue that will bond to a fabric that has little to no rough texture to grip
Gorilla Waterproof Fabric Glue
- Dries clear
- Is waterproof and washable
- Adheres to almost any fabric
- Provides a strong, flexible, and permanent bond
Polyester
- Elastic – needs a glue that dries flexible
- Low melting point – hot glue is not recommended
Crafter’s Pick Ultimate Glue
- Dries clear
- Adheres to a variety of materials, including vinyl, fabric, and leather
Satin
- Soft and shiny – requires a glue that dries flexible, clear, and does not bleed through
- Slick – needs a glue that can grip the slick texture and hold firm
Beacon Dazzle Tac Jewelry Glue
- Dries clear
- Dries permanently
- Is waterproof
- Adheres to fabric, stones, beads, and more
Velvet
- Soft and shiny – requires a glue that dries flexible, clear, and does not bleed through
Beacon Gem-Tac Permanent Adhesive
- Dries permanent
- Dries clear
- Adheres to most fabrics and accessories
Best Fabric Glue for a Temporary Bond
Some projects only require glue to bond and hold the material for a short period of time. Examples of temporary hold projects would be the following:
For those projects where you need a temporary hold, Bohin Temporary Glue Stick for Fabrics is the best solution. It offers a temporary hold. It adheres to a variety of fabric types. It goes on pink to allow you to see where it has been placed, but it dries clear.
Best Fabric Glue for a Permanent Bond
And then, there are those projects where a permanent and strong bond and hold is the main goal. For these types of projects, Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive is the best solution. It offers an instant and durable bond. It also adheres to a variety of fabric and dries flexible.
Best Fabric Glue for a Budget
Sometimes you shop for your budget. But, only looking at the cheapest deal is not the best way to shop. The product you need should combine an economic purchase with a quality product. Remember, fabric glue that doesn’t bond and hold correctly isn’t actually a budget-friendly product.
Secure Stitch Liquid Sewing Solution Kit
- Is washable
- Does not stick to the skin
- Has a flexible bond
- Is odorless
- Dries clear
- Adheres to cotton, denim, leather, and many more fabrics
- Includes an applicator for precision
FAQs
Question: Are there guides to other types of glues?
Answer: Yes, there are guides to help you navigate the vast world of glue. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to know what type of glue to use on a project, check out this Glue Guide. This is a handy reference chart that will help you know what material(s) each type of glue works with best.
For those projects that require you to glue one type of material to a completely different type of material check out the This to That reference guide to glues. With this handy guide to glue, you will be able to quickly access the information you need for any project that involves glue.
Question: Can I substitute other types of glue if I don’t have any fabric glue?
Answer: Yes, other types of glue can cover you in a pinch. While it is best to use a fabric glue specifically designed for the type of project you are creating, these substitutions can work:
• Fusible tape or webbing – requires a hot iron and extra care when working with delicate fabrics
• Velcro – keep a supply of sticky back Velcro to help with emergency fixes
Hot glue – requires time for the glue gun to heat up and it does not dry flexible, but it can be helpful for certain situations
• Elmer’s glue – this does not keep a permanent bond, it is not waterproof, and it does not dry flexible, but it can also help in a pinch
Conclusion
Picking out the right type of glue used to be tricky and sticky. But now that you have the resources and the knowledge to walk into any craft store or home improvement store the glue aisle is no longer the aisle of tears and frustration. You can go there confidently and get exactly the type of glue you need. The glue aisle is now a pleasant part of your creative life.