Best fabric glues. Most people think that any household product will suffice when gluing fabric.
Although this might seem the case, it will not give a reliable adhesion and can get pretty messy, to say the least.
This is why it is always best to use a dedicated product, and the difference is noticeable when using specialist fabric glue.
Because of this, we have created a list of the best in the business.
Each has a deserved reputation for making crafts projects easier, repairing quicker, and patchwork more reliable.
With something for every budget, it is a complete list of the products worth considering when you’re in a rush.
- Editor’s Choice
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 4-Ounce (FT4D) (Amazon) – Review - Best Value
Aleene’s Quick Dry fabric Fusion Permanent Fabric Adhesive, 4-Ounce (Amazon) – Review - Best Fast Drying
Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive, 6 oz Bottle, TG06H (Amazon) – Review - Best Heavy-Duty Strength
Aleene’s Super Fabric Adhesive, Super-Strong, 1 Pack, 1.5 fl oz (Amazon) – Review - Beast For Upholstery
Permatex 25247 Fabric Repair Kit, Single Unit (Amazon) – Review - Best Glue Stick
Dritz 401 Fabric Glue Stick, 0.28-Ounce (Amazon) – Review
Editor’s Choice: Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 4-Ounce (FT4D)
The formula used in this best fabric glues has been tailored for a quick-drying and permanent bond that lasts.
These are some of the most important traits. It dries clear, making it easily disguised should it creep through any area.
Because it has multiple uses, it is one of the most popular products. It is commonly used for gluing fabrics but can also be used for gluing leather, lace, wood, and even glass.
It is fine to wash, is acid-free, and is flexible enough to be smoothed to the user’s taste.
This is also one of the best fabric glues for not soaking into a fabric, making it perfect for quick repairs to bridal wear.
This also means it can make fast costumes for kids without needing heat.
- Dries clear
- Acid-free
- Fine to wash
- Ideal or quick fixes to bridal wear
- Multiple uses
Best Value: Aleene’s Quick Dry Fabric Fusion Permanent Fabric Adhesive, 4-Ounce
Anyone looking for an alternative to a needle and thread will find this one of the best alternatives, and the best fabric glues don’t get much better.
Because of the accurate pouring, it is easy to use.
A gentle squeeze is needed to pour the glue onto the fabric; thankfully, it dries fast.
Because it is water-based, it is safer to use.
The formula itself is non-toxic and doesn’t have that stringy texture that can get messy.
The adhesive bond is permanent, so it can be used on craft projects. It comes in a generous 4 oz bottle.
Many users comment on the strong bond holding firm even after multiple washes.
- Easy to use
- Generous 4 oz bottle
- Water-based and non-toxic
- Strong permanent bond
- Can be a little messy when not used properly
Best Fast Drying: Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive, 6 oz Bottle, TG06H
Another immensely popular best fabric glues.
Tear Mender is a brand name with a reputation for making reliable adhesives like this one.
Not only can it form a strong bond for fabrics, but it also works well when working with leather.
The 6 oz bottle is more than enough for multiple projects.
The bond is instant, and fabrics are fine to wear in 3 minutes and can be washed after 15.
This fabric glue is waterproof, flexible, and resistant to UV, so it will not impact the longevity of the bond.
It is both acid-free and non-toxic, so it is safe to use around the family, and there is no need to use heat at any point.
Although it makes an ideal fabric glue, this product has also been used on upholstery and home decor.
- Multiple uses
- Dries in 3 minutes
- Nontoxic
- UV resistant
- Has a stronger scent than some
Best Heavy-Duty Strength: Aleene’s Super Fabric Adhesive, Super-Strong, 1 Pack, 1.5 fl oz
This product is made for those who want to glue various materials to fabric, hence its reputation as a heavy-duty fabric glue.
Still, it is flexible enough to offer multiple uses, including gluing leather, denim, felt, vinyl, satin, cotton, and more.
One of the main benefits of using this glue is that it dries clear, so it can glue patches onto garments or pockets.
Although washable in the machine, the user should wait 72 hours before doing so for the first time.
A fast-drying, industrial-strength fabric glue is good value for its low price, although it tends to sell quickly.
- Heavy-duty industrial strength
- Multiple uses, including denim, leather, cotton, and more
- Dries clear
- Needs 72 hours before the first wash
Beast For Upholstery : Permatex 25247 Fabric Repair Kit, Single Unit
Because it is designated as a glue ideal for automobile repairs and upholstery, it is excellent for projects that require a stronger adhesive.
The adhesive comes in 7 different cups, each with multiple colors to ensure it blends into the material it is gluing.
A spatular mixing bottle and screen applicator are also included to ensure the user has everything they need for repairs.
It can also be used for clothing, another area where the different colors come in use.
This is why it is used to make near-invisible repairs and can be used to save money on replacing items, like when used on carpets.
- Includes 7 different colors
- Full repair kit
- Ideal for repairs
- Can be used on clothes, upholstery, automobiles, and more
- Color matching can be difficult
Best Glue Stick: Dritz 401 Fabric Glue Stick, 0.28-ounce
A glue stick for fabrics that is not only easy to use but performs better than many might think.
This is more for the temporary positioning of fabrics before they are stitched together later, but this makes it an ideal product for sewers and those who like to make crafting easier.
Another reason why it is popular is that it can be used to track down seam allowances and move the fabric into position. When not in use, store it in the refrigerator to ensure it does not dry out
. To top it off, this glue stick is water-soluble and washes easily on most fabrics.
- Easy to use
- Non-permanent
- Ideal for positioning
- Water-soluble
- Not for permanent gluing
Anyone with a sewing project or a craft in mind where gluing would be easier than stitching can appreciate how helpful fabric glue is.
Still, using one is only half the battle. The product needs to be up to scratch, or the fabric might peel after a couple of washes, if not sooner.
This is why we have created the following buyer’s guide. It details everything there is to know about these useful glues, making it easy to choose a quality product by the end.
Fast Drying
Because fabric glue is often used to make repairs when there is little time to spare, it must dry quickly.
This product is perfect when a wedding dress needs a quick repair, so the time it takes to dry is important.
Most reputable brands tend to boast about how quickly theirs dries, with a few minutes being the average time one might have to wait before a garment or bridal gown can be worn.
Clear Drying
When using fabric glue, the last thing you want is to know it is there.
The texture can often mean that it is obvious if it bleeds through the fabric or spills out the side.
Most of the better products use glue that dries clear to ensure this is less of an issue and blends in better.
Flexibility
This is one of the most important traits of fabric glue because if it dries hard, it makes the garment more brittle and uncomfortable to wear.
The best products are soft and flexible when dry, making the garment comfortable.
Multiple Uses
As long as fabric glue offers the most important use for a user’s needs, everything else is a bonus.
But you never know when you might need fabric glue to form a bond on different materials.
This is why it is good to look for a product with multiple purposes, such as the ability to glue leather, wood, and a wide range of fabrics.
Some even glue glass, which might seem like something that would never be useful, but you might be surprised.
Washable
Most products aimed at crafting and repairs are generally fine to wash, and even after multiple washes, the bond should remain strong.
Look for products that are safe to wash soon after the gluing is finished. No one likes to have to wait a few days before they can put an upcycled garment through the wash.
Non-Toxic
Many glues are strong and industrial-strength because their formula contains harmful chemicals.
A fabric glue should be safe to use without needing protective wear, so non-toxic ingredients and an acid-free formula are important.
With so many uses, many people are missing out on some of the benefits of fabric glue.
Here are some of the more obvious uses, as well as those less known:
Securing Pockets
The pockets on a garment can be tricky to sew, and using pins can be messy and difficult.
This is why many people use fabric glue to hold everything in place before sewing the pockets on.
Repairs
Any bride probably has nightmares about something going wrong with their dress.
This can be from tearing some of the lacy areas or a decorative piece of jewelry coming off.
Fabric glue is ideal in these situations as it is fast-drying and reliable.
Making Costumes
One of the easiest ways to make a quick costume, whether for a kids’ Halloween party, an adult costume for a theatre production, or a fancy dress, is to use fabric glue.
Stitching takes time and is tricky, whereas glue requires little to no skill, is fast, and still provides impressive results.
Fabric glue might be ideal for fixing a small patch onto a garment, especially in a hurry.
Not only do they go on without the need to stitch, but they blend in well.
This depends on the project, but a nonpermanent glue is best when looking for glue to fix fabrics as a guide before sewing.
These should wash off easily and not spill out in areas that make sewing difficult. Permanent fabric glue is best when sewing patches or for repairs.
Absolutely. This is one of the benefits of using fabric glue. It is a time-saving alternative to stitching and just as effective.
Still, it is important to use a reputable product and ensure it is flexible enough to be used on a garment and dries fast for a strong, lasting bond.
Best Fabric Glues
This depends on the type of glue being used.
A fabric adhesive creates a bond for a guide before stitching and a non-permanent glue is used.
These wash off easily, whereas a permanent glue should not and will create a lasting, insoluble bond.
Again, every brand is different, but a typical time seems to be a maximum of 15 minutes, with many being much faster.
This doesn’t mean it can be put through a wash, as this is another area where every product is different.
Some are fine to be washed soon after they have dried, while others require a day or two.
This isn’t the best choice if you want to glue fabric. Because superglue has a different formula, it is less flexible and difficult to work with.
Because of this, expect any garment to be uncomfortable and any visible glue to be more obvious.
With so many reputable brands making decent fabric glue, it is a buyer’s market, with most of the best brands making fabric glue for around $10 and under.
Spend a little more, and you’ll get a higher-quality product, but if your budget is restrictive, some fabric glues will do a good job for under $5.
We hope you have enjoyed this review on the best fabric glues.
