If you’re looking for the best fabric glue, you’ve come to the right place. This article will discuss the best glue for fabric on the market and how it can benefit your crafting or sewing projects.
Whether you need a strong adhesive that will hold up under pressure or glue that is safe for use on delicate fabrics, we have you covered. Keep reading to learn more about the best adhesives for fabrics and to find the perfect one for your needs!
BEST RUNNERUP   3M Fabric Adhesive Spray
| BEST OVERALL   Gorilla Fabric Glue
| BEST BUDGET   E6000 Fabric Glue
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What Kind of Glue to Use on Fabric
There are several types of fabric glue to choose from, and each has distinct advantages that may or may not be appropriate for different kinds of projects.
So let’s go through them one at a time:
Permanent
Permanent adhesives are intended to endure for a long time since they are insoluble after drying. These glues will not come off the fabric even after being washed. This type of fabric glue is ideal for garment repairs and other tasks that need to be durable.
Temporary
Temporary adhesives are water-soluble and will dissolve when the cloth comes into touch with water. Because washing these fabrics will cause the bond to break, they are not machine washable. Temporary fabric adhesives are suitable for projects that need a lot of fabric repositioning, such as quilting.
Heat Set
Heat set fabric glues are those that bond at particular higher temperatures. The adhesive reacts at a specific temperature and forms a durable bond that hardens when the heat is removed, increasing its strength. Heat-set fabric glues have no stickiness and will not adhere to themselves, making them much easier to work with. The drawback is that it does not dry on its own.
Cool Set
There are several reasons why heat set glues are more popular than cool-set fabric glues. Because no heat is required, the former is far easier to apply. All you have to do is use the adhesive on the necessary surface and allow it to dry on its own. The length of time for drying can vary greatly depending on the glue, with some taking only a few minutes and others requiring up to 24 hours.
Spray Adhesive
A spray adhesive is a fabric glue that comes in an aerosol can. It’s easy to use, but it might be tougher to know how much adhesive is coming out. Larger fabric projects are well-suited to this sort of glue. To avoid inhaling the spray adhesive, work in a well-ventilated area.
Non-Spray Adhesives
Non-spray adhesives are the most prevalent type of textile glue. They are typically supplied in tiny tubes or plastic bottles, allowing you to control the release quantity of the adhesive. If you need to glue something down quickly, it’s best to use spray adhesives like these. Additionally, non-spray adhesives come with an adjustable tip so that you can control the amount of glue flow.
How To Choose The Best Fabric Glue?
Now that you’ve decided which kind of fabric glue you’ll buy, there are still other things to consider. Drying time, water resistance, and strength are all factors to consider while selecting the best fabric glue for your projects.
Read on to learn more about the factors to consider before purchasing a new fabric glue.
Glue Type
There are two types of glue: permanent and temporary.
Permanent: Permanent adhesives are not water-soluble and will stay connected when wet. Some permanent fabric glues are machine washable. They’re best for items that need to endure, such as clothing repairs and costumes.
Temporary: Temporary adhesives are water-soluble and will come loose when wet. These glues are perfect for single-use tasks or where you need a lot of rearranging, such as quilts or hemming clothes. However, both adhesives may be used on various materials and fabrics.
Drying Time
Fabric glues dry at different speeds depending on the glue type and the bonded material. The drying time for fabric glues ranges from 3 minutes to 24 hours. Quick-drying adhesives are more flexible, but they aren’t as long-lasting as other glues. If you want a secure, durable connection without being constrained for time, go with an adhesive that takes longer to set up. That said, keep in mind that you should allow at least 24 hours to pass before washing a fabric that has been adhered to.
Drying Time
The level of stickiness in each type of glue varies. The amount of strength provided by products labeled “super” or “industrial” is generally superior, which can be ideal for items used frequently, washed often, and exposed to a lot of use and tear. Adhesives with a higher viscosity rating are also beneficial for leather, tulle, or silk fabrics.
Water Resistance
If you’re attaching a piece of fabric to another fabric and washing it frequently, make sure the adhesive is water-resistant. That’s because the bond remains strong even after numerous washes.
Chemical Resistance
Chemically resistant fabric glues are fantastic because they don’t react to chemicals like petroleum and diesel, which can weaken the bond. If you’re repairing a garment or working on a project that will be exposed to these substances, check the glue’s label.
Flexibility
Flexible fabric glues do not harden after being applied to the fabric. This is ideal for projects in which you’ll be wearing them since they’ll be more comfortable. The same can’t be said about fabric glues that aren’t flexible and dry hard. Besides, inflexible adhesives are more likely to harm and stain your fabric. Also, they can form hard lumps of glue. In contrast, flexible fabric glues appear to be much cleaner.
Versatility
High-quality adhesives are effective on a wide range of materials and for numerous applications. For example, some of the glues on our list may be used on wood, leather, or vinyl. The more adaptable a fabric glue is, the more convenient and cost-effective it will be. Speaking of convenience, water-resistant and fast-drying adhesives are two types of glue to keep in your craft area. Glues with several tips or adaptable tips also come in handy for various tasks.
Accessories
Fabric glues are available in a single container, although some larger kits come with extra supplies that make applying the glue even simpler. Customizable tips, additional precision tips, application sticks, and applicator tubes are among the items included in these larger kits. Fabric glue bottles may help you save money in the long run if you use fabric glue regularly for your work or hobbies. The extra glue might be kept on hand for future usage, or one bottle may be kept in your craft closet and another in your workshop.
The Best Glue Brands for Fabric
Here are some of the trusted fabric glues on the market:
- Elmer’s Glue-All: This multi-purpose adhesive can be used on both natural and synthetic fabrics. It dries quickly and doesn’t leave a residue.
- Aleene’s Tacky Glue: This glue is perfect for heavier fabrics and comes in both a liquid and gel form. It dries quickly and doesn’t leave a residue.
- Fabri-tac Fabric Glue: This glue is designed for use with both natural and synthetic fabrics. It dries clear and is non-toxic.
10 Fabric Glue Reviews
Best Waterproof Fabric Glue: Gorilla Fabric Glue
- 100% WATERPROOF: Formulated to provide a fast setting, permanent bond that remains flexible after washing.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR: This high strength adhesive dries crystal clear and can be used on a variety of surfaces, making it...
- WASHER AND DRYER SAFE
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gorilla Fabric Glue is a fast-setting, permanent adhesive that is flexible and washable. This is a special glue for bonding materials like cloth, felt, canvas, denim, buttons, rhinestones, and more.
This glue is of industrial strength and bonds in seconds. Besides, it dries crystal clear and does not leave any residues making it versatile to be used on other surfaces such as leather and rubber.
Features
- Waterproof: This glue is washable
- Crystal Clear: The adhesive dries clear
- Bonds Fabric: Fabric and hard-to-handle adornments are bonded together using this adhesive
- Working Surface: Fabric, felt, denim, buttons, canvas, rhinestones, ribbon, leather, rubber
Specs
- Compatible Material: Fabric
- Color: Clear
- Brand: Gorilla
- Package: Tube
- Volume: 73 Milliliters
- Country of Origin: USA
Caution
- Flammable
- The vapors can be irritating if they come into contact with the eyes.
Best Spray Adhesive for Fabric: 3M Fabric Adhesive Spray
- Spray-on adhesive attaches lightweight trim materials
- Dries to a low profile clear color
- Recommended as an adhesive for positioning applications
Last update on 2022-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The 3M Spray Trim Adhesive is a fast-drying spray adhesive that is effective in securely attaching lightweight trim materials. For example, it works well on upholstery fabric and installing new materials in auto restoration projects.
This adhesive is also ideal for projects where mechanical fasteners are needed to secure the fabric on the surfaces where it is placed. In addition, users will like the easy-to-spray aerosol form of this adhesive.
Spray adhesives like this make applying adhesives in automotive and household applications easy and quick. This adhesive bonds well on metal and other impervious surfaces, but it does not oversoak.
Specs
- Brand: 3M
- Package: Spray Adhesive
- Fit Type: Universal Fit
- Volume: 16.8 Ounces
Features
Easy To Use: Spray-on adhesive attaches lightweight trim materials
- Dries Clear: Dries clear and does not leave any residue.
- Works Great With Metal: Ideal for bonding fabrics on metal and other impervious surfaces
- Versatile: The manufacturer recommends only this product to be compatible with polystyrene
- Quick cure: Sets quickly; you do not need to hold materials in place for long.
Caution
- Misuse of 3M industrial and occupational products may result in injury, sickness, death, or property damage.
Best Fabric Glue for Patches: E6000 Fabric Glue
- Great for projects using fabric, felt, metal, wood, glass, rubber and much more
- Dries clear
- Acid-free
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The E6000 Fabri-Fuse is a fantastic adhesive for textiles and fabrics and placing embellishments on fabrics. The glue is acid-free and transparent, which means the cloth will not be damaged. In addition, this adhesive dries clear and durable and may even move or bend after washing.
Apart from textiles, this glue works well on projects utilizing felt, wood, metal, glass, rubber, and other materials.
Specs
- Compatible Material: Fabric, wood, glass, metal, rubber, felt
- Color: Clear
- Brand: E6000
- Package: Bottle
- Volume: 4 Fl. Ounces
- Country of Origin: USA
Features
- Versatile Use: The glue works great on fabric, felt, wood, metal, glass, and rubber.
- Dries Clear: The glue is transparent when dried.
- Environment-Friendly: The adhesive is odorless and acid-Free.
- Washable: The bond stays intact even after washing.
Caution
- Emits harmful vapors, so use in well-ventilated areas.
Best Fabric Glue Stick: Gorilla Hot Glue Sticks
- Weather Resistant: For Indoor and outdoor use
- High temperature for strong bonding: wood, plastic, metal, glass and more
- Low temperature for delicate materials: floral, fabric, foam, jewelry and more
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Gorilla Hot Glue Sticks come in various shapes and sizes, making them useful for a wide range of applications. They can also bond with materials that other adhesives can’t, such as glass and metal. The glue sticks may be used on low- and high-temperature glue gun models.
Fabric, foam, and jewelry materials should all be glued with a low-temperature gun. However, you will need a high-temperature glue gun to join materials on glass and metal. The sticks are designed to work for a longer time (45 seconds), making them ideal for a wide range of applications.
Finally, these Hot Glue Sticks are weather-resistant and have strong adhesion. This means the adhered items can stand up to conditions like humidity, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
Specs
- Brand: Gorilla Glue
- Color: Clear
- Package: 1 Pack with 25/30/75 glue sticks
- Weight: 6.2 ounces
- Country of Origin: USA
Features
- Water and Weather-Resistant: Washable and can be used indoors and outdoors.
- All Temperature: Compatible will both low and high-temperature glue guns.
- Working Surfaces: Works on fabric, leather, foam, jewelry, glass, metal.
- Dries Clear: The glue is transparent when dried.
Caution
- Avoid touching the glue when hot.
Best Fabric Glue for Clothes: Secure Stitch Liquid Sewing Kit
- NO NEEDLE, NO THREAD! The quick and easy sewing alternative eliminating a needle & thread! The perfect kit for all...
- WASHABLE & FLEXIBLE! Creates a clear, colorless, flexible, permanent, washer & dryer proof bond great for Cotton,...
- EASY APPLICATION! Includes 2 Applicator Bottles and 1 Silicon Applicator to allow for precise application every...
Last update on 2022-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Secure Stitch liquid sewing solution mends tears, holes, and hems in cloths. Secure Stitch liquid sewing solution is a flexible fusing agent that bonds fibers together while drying transparently. It’s great for repairing rips, skirt hems, and damaged upholstery.
In addition, it’s ideal for making crafts out of a variety of materials. This adhesive works great on cotton, denim, fleece, felt, leather, polyester, suede rayon, velvet, fabrics, and more. The bonds are washable, dryer-proof, and bendable—meaning you may put your favorite apparel in the washer without worrying that the bonds will break.
The Secure Stitch comes with an applicator for precise applications, making it simple to use. Also included in the package are hem clips.
Specs
- Brand: Allstar Innovations
- Package: Bottle
- Color: Clear
- Curing Time: 15 minutes
- Volume: 2 Fluid Ounces
Features
- Washable: The bonds are waterproof, flexible, and dryer friendly
- Working Surfaces: Work great cotton, denim, fleece, felt, leather, polyester, suede rayon, velvet, fabrics and more.
- Dries Clear: The glue is transparent when dried.
- Easy Application: The packaging includes an applicator for precise application.
Caution
- Before washing and ironing, let the glue dry for 24 hours
Best Tacky Glue for Fabric: Aleene’s Tacky Glue
- 16 fl oz bottle
- Dries clear and flexible
- Cleans up with water
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue is highly adaptable and dependable compared to other choices. This versatile all-purpose solution will adhere to various materials, including non-washable fabrics, felt, foam, wood, paper, metal, and ceramic.
It’s also ultra-tacky, non-toxic, and suitable for children. So if you or your kids are doing a lot of crafts and DIY projects, this glue will quickly become a staple in your home.
Specs
- Brand: Aleene’s
- Package: Bottle
- Volume: 16 Fl. Ounces
- Country of Origin: China
Features
- All-Purpose Glue: Great for fabrics, felt, foam, wood, paper, metal, and ceramics.
- Dries Clear: The glue dries transparent and flexible.
- Kid-friendly: This adhesive is non-toxic and can be washed with water if contacted with the skin.
- Easy To Apply: The wide mouth jar on the bottle makes it suitable for bigger applications.
Caution
- Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours before washing and ironing it.
Best Permanent Fabric Glue: Aleene’s Super Fabric Adhesive
- Super-strong hold for gluing heavy-duty embellishments to fabric
- Ultra flexible
- Dries clear; Non yellowing
Last update on 2022-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Aleene’s Super Fabric Adhesive is designed to dry quickly and has an industrial-strength bond to a wide range of tough fabrics, including leather, felt, denim, canvas, satin, vinyl, cotton, and polyester mixes.
This fabric adhesive is ideal for gluing heavy fabrics and lightweight accessories and embellishments to the fabric. This glue dries clear, leaves no residue, and does not change color over time. The bond remains flexible and is also machine washable. In addition, the Super Fabric Adhesive from Aleene’s includes a customizable tip so that you can adjust it to your specific glue flow requirements.
Specs
- Color: Clear
- Brand: Aleene’s
- Package: Tube
- Volume: 2 Fl. Ounces
- Country of Origin: China
Features
- Industrial Strength: The glue creates a strong, permanent bond for gluing heavy embellishments to fabric.
- Transparent, Flexible & Washable: The glue dries clear and is flexible.
- Versatile Use on Fabric: Works great on light and heavy fabrics and leathers, including cotton, felt, denim, canvas, vinyl, satin, and all polyesters blends.
Caution
- The vapors can be irritating if they come into contact with the eyes.
- Allow the glue to dry for 72 hours before washing and ironing.
Best Glue for Fabric to Wood: Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive
- Perfect to adhere to a variety of surfaces and embellishments,
- Fabric adhesive does not string while you apply it to fabric,
- Available in an 8-oz bottle
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Fabric-Tac adhesive from Beacon is meant to work quickly and dry fast while flexible. It won’t color or soak into fabrics. This glue is excellent for joining leather, textiles, wood, laces, and other things.
It’s also acid-free and washable. It can be used for decorative house décor, wedding apparel, artwork, as well as minor repairs.
Specs
- Brand: Beacon
- Package: Bottle
- Volume: 4 Fl. Ounces
- Country of Origin: USA
Features
- Dries Clear & Flexible: The glue dries fast, is translucent, and is flexible.
- Versatile: Great for fabrics, leathers, wood, and lace.
- Washable: The glue is washable; however, it’s not recommended for dry cleaning.
Caution
- Highly flammable, avoid contact to fire.
- The vapors can be irritating if they come into contact with the eyes.
Best Fabric Fusion Glue: Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Permanent Adhesive
- Perfect to adhere to a variety of surfaces and embellishments,
- Fabric adhesive does not string while you apply it to fabric,
- Available in an 8-oz bottle
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Aleene’s Fabric Fusion is a great permanent fabric adhesive for crafts and sewing projects. It’s also ideal for placing embellishments on a wide variety of surfaces like denim, canvas, cotton, and more.
This adhesive is water-based, dries clear, and is non-toxic. Besides, the bonds are flexible, which means it’s machine-washable and safe for dry cleaning. So if you’re searching for a fabric glue that also works well for other projects and sewing activities, this is an excellent choice.
Specs
- Color: Clear
- Brand: Aleene’s
- Package: Bottle
- Volume: 8 Fl. Ounces
- Country of Origin: China
Features
- Industrial Strength: The glue forms a sturdy, long-lasting connection for adhering large embellishments to the fabric.
- Flexible: The glue dries fast and is flexible
- Dries Clear: The adhesive dries clear and does not turn yellow
- Works on Most Fabrics: Works great on light and heavy fabrics, including cotton, felt, denim, canvas, vinyl, satin, etc.
- Easy Application: The customizable tip allows users to adjust glue flow.
Caution
- The vapors can be irritating if they come into contact with the eyes.
Best Temporary Fabric Adhesive: Odif 505 Temporary Fabric Adhesive
- Temporary, repositionable, fabric adhesive used to temporarily bond fabric
- Odorless, colorless, no mist, does not gum sewing needles
- Use for machine applique, quilting and basting
Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Odif 505 Spray & Fix Temporary Fabric Adhesive is a temporary fabric adhesive used to bond fabrics temporarily for sewing and quilting. Whether you’re attaching patches or doing any other type of handwork, this fabric adhesive will keep the cloth in place.
It’s odorless, colorless, and does not cause sewing needles to gum up. It’s free of acids and CFCs, making it ideal for use on delicate materials. It might also be readily removed from fabrics or other surfaces using plain water.
Specs
- Color: Clear
- Brand: Odif
- Package: Spray Adhesive
- Volume: 8 Fl. Ounces
- Country of Origin: France
Features
- Temporary & Repositionable: This adhesive is used to hold the fabrics together during machine embroidery, hemming, quilting, and basting.
- Washable: The adhesive can be easily cleaned by washing.
- Eco-friendly: This adhesive is odorless, acid-free, and does not contain CFCs.
- Hassle-free Use: This spray adhesive is easy to use, odorless, colorless, and does not cause sewing needles to gum up.
Caution
- This spray adhesive is highly flammable and should be kept away from kids.
Is Fabric Glue Washable?
The answer to this question all depends on the type of fabric adhesive. There are two types of fabric glues, hot melt, and cold glue. Hot melt is more durable than cold glue and will typically withstand washing if it comes in contact with water or moisture for extended periods. Cold glue can be washed but should not come into contact with water as it could dissolve and make the cloth weaker over time.
The other consideration is the brand of glue. Some types of adhesive are more durable than others and can withstand more stress, such as pulling, stretching, and washing. The same goes for the wet conditions fabric glue that makes it great to use indoor projects such as home decorating, or even costume construction may not be ideal for outdoor projects such as camping gear or sporting equipment. It is essential to read the label on the adhesive before using it or give advice to someone about whether or not they can wash their clothing if this was not included in the product information.
FAQs
Does hot glue work on fabric?
There are a lot of myths about what hot glue can and cannot do. For example, some people believe that it can’t be used on fabric, but this is not true. Hot glue can be useful for attaching fabric to other surfaces. However, it is essential to use the correct type of glue and apply it correctly to get the best results.
Does Gorilla glue work on fabric?
There is not a lot of information available on the topic. However, some users have reported that gorilla glue can be used to adhere fabric to other surfaces. It is recommended that you test this out in a small area before using it on a larger project.
Does super glue work on fabric?
In the past, super glue was not a good idea for most fabrics because it tended to stiffen or harden them. However, in recent years, new formulations have been developed that are much more flexible and adhere well to fabric. The two types of formulas available are rubber cement and contact cement.
Does tacky glue work on fabric?
It’s unclear whether tacky glue works on fabric or not. Some people say it does, while others claim that it doesn’t. There seems to be no clear consensus on the matter. Some people recommend using tacky glue to repair rips and tears in the fabric. They say that the glue will form a strong bond and hold the material together effectively. Others argue that this is not always the case and that using tacky glue can damage the fabric further.
What is strong fabric glue?
Strong fabric glue is an adhesive specifically designed for bonding fabric together. It can be used to create patches or repairs on clothes and attach fabric pieces to create new garments or accessories. There are a variety of strong fabric glues available on the market, so it is essential to do some research before choosing one.
How do you permanently glue fabric to fabric?
You have a few options when it comes to gluing fabric to fabric. One option is using a sewing machine and doing a zigzag stitch with glue, or you could also use a hot iron and some fusible webbing. Finally, if you don’t mind the mess of adhesive spray, that would work too!
Is there a strong fabric glue that glues fabric to fabric?
The most common type is a water-based adhesive such as Elmer’s Glue-All, which dries clear and flexible. Another liquid fabric glue bonder is Aleene’s Stop Fraying Fabric Glue. This is a good fabric glue for hems, seams, edges of appliqué shapes, or cut-out pieces. Finally, a spray adhesive that works well is 3M’s Spray 77 Paper and Fabric Adhesive. This spray dries very fast, so you can apply it in short spurts just before bonding the surfaces together.
Is fabric glue better than sewing?
Sewing things by hand is a skill that takes time and patience. However, the benefits are clear: you can customize your garment or quilt precisely to your liking and save money by not frequently buying fabric glue.
But there are also drawbacks to sewing without using fabric glue as well as other shortcuts. One problem is that it can take a lot of time, which means it might be difficult for people who have busy schedules with little free time to use this method exclusively.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking to use a strong adhesive that will hold up under pressure or one that is safe on fabrics, we have considered your needs and found ten of the very best glues for fabric available today. Take time to read through our top picks so that you can find the perfect glue for your project!
No matter what type of glue you choose, be sure to read the instructions carefully and test it on a small piece of fabric before starting your project. If you’re looking for a specific type of adhesive and don’t see it on our list, be sure to let us know in the comments. We love trying out new products and would be happy to add them to our next round-up. Happy crafting!