Have you thought of mending your clothes, or putting pieces of fabric together to form a garment without sewing? Well, get on it already because it is possible using fabric glue. You can use fabric glue to do a myriad of things from sticking decorative pieces like ribbons and embellishments to holding fabric together during sewing or embroidery. With so many brands in the market, you might be fooled to think any brand of fabric glue is as good as it is described. There’s more to choosing the best fabric glue, and that’s what we dwell on in this article.
The key features that we considered in our review include glue type, its waterproofness, water-solubility and flexibility. They determine the quality, convenience, and usability of the glue.
Other features: odorless, colorless, stainless, spotless, and will not gum needles
Here is your go-to glue if you are looking to attach pieces of fabric temporarily. It tops the list for all the right reasons. It is one of the best top-rated adhesives for clothing because it is a perfect temporary solution.
The Odif 505 is one of the best fabric adhesive glues on the market as it dissolves in water, thus washable, and it doesn’t contain CFCs or any acids that can harm the environment. It also does not contain any odors or releases a mist like other fabric glues, thus a perfect choice for anyone who prioritizes health safety.
Moreover, the glue is extremely easy to use as it comes in a spray bottle so you can target the exact spot you want the glue on your fabric.
Unlike many temporary glues, the Odif 505 does not stick on needles and other surfaces. If you hate messy workspaces, then it should be your prime pick. It is designed to hold quickly, leaving you with a temporary, clear, and flexible bond.
The glue comes in handy in DIY clothes repair and design, where you constantly need to reposition the fabric until you are satisfied with the final results. You can also use it to create a baste’ when making hems on skirts, dresses, and other pieces of clothing or during machine embroidery.
In addition, the glue can be used to position the layers of fabric correctly when quilting.
All considered this is one of the best fabric adhesive glues you can get within its price range. It is incredibly easy to use, holds perfectly well, and does not create a mess on your fabric.
Other features: includes two applicator brushes; perfect for nylon, polyester, canvas, leather, and vinyl
Coming from one of the best-reputed brands on the fabric glue market, the GEAR AID is a premium quality fabric glue that offers you all the top-notch features of a perfect fabric adhesive. Every outdoorsy person should endeavor to have this glue in their backpack.
The glue is a waterproof sealant that can keep you and your gear dry when in the outdoors. It is a tent seam sealant and can seal up to 12 inches of seams on tents. Since its adhesive cures into a flexible rubber seal, you can use it to repair many other torn outdoor fabrics sleeping pads, awnings, tarps, and rain flys.
The glue comes in an 8ounces option, and three 1ounce options, so you can pick what suits you best. Each package comes with 2 applicator brushes, which make application a breeze.
Other than repairing, you can use the glue to re-proof your gear, and you wouldn’t have to worry about its seal peeling or cracking. The sealant in the glue bonds quickly and permanently with a variety of fabric material, including nylon, canvas, polyester, vinyl, and leather.
Furthermore, the sealant dries completely clear and flexible enough that it moves with the rest of the gear.
The only downside to this fabric adhesive is that it requires some skill to apply. Otherwise, it can be a tad messy. It is also not safe to inhale and must, therefore, be applied in an open aerated place.
In conclusion, this is one of the best permanent fabric glues for outdoor fabric. It is also reasonably priced and is totally worth the buy.
Other features: comes with 70 pcs colorful sticks, hobby knife, tweezers, spring clamps, bag; non-toxic, dries fast
This is the ultimate glue gun kit for DIYers and hobbyists. Nothing comes close to what it has to offer for anyone in need of hot-melt glue for their fabric. Its exceptional multi-color and multi-functional design makes it one gem of a product plus, it offers realistic performance with its advanced safety standards.
The hot-glue gun kit features a pretty handy set of tools, including 70 colorful glue sticks, spring clamps, hobby knife, tweezers, and a bag. It is incredibly safe to use as it uses 30 watts of power with PTC heating core.
You can heat it up in 3 to 5 minutes at a constant temperature for excellent results, and the trigger propulsion device included in the kit will help control the flow of glue to save the sticks.
The glue sticks are made to be super pure and strongly adhesive. They melt almost immediately and dry very fast. They are non-toxic, thus safe for both your health and the environment.
Another plus for this hot-glue kit is that it is highly versatile. You can use it for a myriad of applications at home, in the office, or for factory projects, including; sticking toy models, artistic flowers, card making, and Christmas tree decorations.
In addition, other than fabric, the glue can be used on metal, wood, glass, plastic, card, and ceramics. Because of this, it is one of the best glues for fabric to plastic and wood. Like when making furniture, it can hold fabric perfectly to wood.
All in all, this is one of the best easy-to-use hot-glue gun kits on the market. It is a perfect choice for anyone who values versatility.
Other features: bonds in 15 minutes; compatible with foil, plastic paper, foam, metal, fabric
Are you fed up with waiting as long as 24 hours for fabric glue to cure? Well, here is an absolute solution. The QTY2 3M is a multipurpose adhesive that bonds in 15 minutes and is compatible with a variety of materials. Its versatility does not stop at holding fabric seams or torn pieces of clothing; you can use it for a ton of purposes.
The adhesive comes in a spraying can of about 7.3 ounces. Application is such a breeze as you can easily target where you want the glue and spray the exact area. It is a high-coverage, high tack-in, and super quick-drying adhesive. Unlike most adhesives, it takes a very low soak-in for it to form a super-strong and long-lasting bond.
Other than holding different types of fabrics with varying colors and textures, you can also use this adhesive for industrial purposes like packaging, woodworking, and infusion molding, among others.
The adhesive can bond, attach, adhere, secure, fasten, stick, tack, grip, and hang materials like foil, metals, cardboard, and plastic.
The only downside to this adhesive is that it can expose you to chemicals that are harmful to your health. Be sure to clean up immediately after you’re done with application. Otherwise, it is one of the best multipurpose spray adhesives that you can get for the most permanent bond on your fabrics.
Other features: water-soluble, odor-free
Here is another super convenient and super cheap fabric glue that you can use to attach embellishments to fabric because it is filled with stitch fabric glue. You can forego sewing for reinforcement in some instances with this magic-filled glue.
The liquid adhesive comes in a unique toothpaste-like tube packaging that makes it super easy to apply. It only comes in a 1.25-ounce tube and is highly preferred for its packaging convenience that makes packaging easy.
The glue is non-toxic and odorless, thus safe to use. However, it causes mild skin irritation if not washed off after a long time. On the bright side, it is one of the best washable fabric glues as it is based on a water-soluble solvent. You can easily wash it off your fabric before it dries.
Once the glue dries, it forms a permanent bond that doesn’t come apart and is safe for machine washing and drying. Be sure not to dry clean any fabric with the glue as the bond will get undone when the dry cleaning solvents wear off the glue.
The only trouble with this glue is the waiting period. You would have to wait 24 hours for it to dry before washing, which most people find to be on the extreme end. It also does not require heat activation though you can choose to wash the fabric before applying the glue to eliminate the problem.
Overall, this is one of the best washable fabric glues you can get with such an easy application and requires no stitching to reinforce the bond it forms. Essentially, it offers the biggest bang for your bucks, and it is nearly impossible to find such quality with such an attractive price tag.
Other features: no thick residue, water soluble, safe for most fabrics
This is one of the best fabric glue pens out there. Its innovative design, convenience, and exceptional performance set it apart from several fabric glues. The glue also offers a solid stick that you wouldn’t need pins for holding your fabric when sewing or embroidering using a machine.
The glue comes in a convenient bundle of 1 pen and 3 2-pack refills. The Pen-like dispenser has superior quality in its build and performance, and each refill package can fill it up twice.
The glue is non-toxic and free of acids, thus safe for both your health and the environment. Even your kids can safely use it as it contains no dyes or harmful chemicals that could harm the. Its pH is also neutral, thus safe for the skin.
The pen-like dispenser is a tiny EZ-squeeze bottle with a needle-nose tip for easy application. If you are tired of making a mess on your fabrics with poorly packaged glues that apply poorly, this should be your go-to fabric glue.
The glue is safe for most fabrics, and it is water-soluble. This means you can wash it off from your fabric when you are done sewing, embroidering, quilting, hemming, or whatever it is you choose to use it for. It also dries clear with no thick residue, so you wouldn’t worry about it staining your whites.
Overall, this is one of the best washable temporary fabric glues out there. It is innovatively created and is safe to use on various fabrics.
Other features: washable, includes color matching chart
If you have upholstery or any clothes that have suffered tears, rips, or small burns, here is some magical quick fix. It works super-fast as it only takes 20 minutes to complete the repair process. To top it all, this fabulous fabric repair kit will offer you the biggest bang for your bucks.
The repair kit comes in a package with several items that might leave you suspecting if you are using the adhesive correctly. Luckily, it comes with clear instructions to make it easy for you. The package includes 7 compound cups with different colors to ensure you get the perfect color combination that matches that of your clothes.
Also included in the package are an application spatula, a mixing bottle, and a screen applicator to make your work easier.
The adhesive air dries, and it works for a wide range of repair applications, including; car seats, carpets, clothes, furniture, and upholstery. The adhesive repairs are virtually invisible, thus wouldn’t interfere with the overall beauty or look of your fabric.
All in all, this is the ultimate inexpensive fabric glue for repairs. You don’t have to throw away a whole couch because a small rip when you can repair it and make it stay with a few dollars.
Other features: heats up within 5 minutes, automatically maintains a constant temperature, includes 10 transparent hot melt glue sticks
Here is another hot-glue gun kit but one designed to do the heavy work. It is ideal for your home, office, and industrial or factory projects. It is a high capacity build with exceptional features to test your imaginative limits and practical ability.
The hot-glue gun set includes 10 transparent glue sticks that are harder and stronger compared to those from other models. Also included in the package is a user manual with read instructions so you can easily get on with melting the glue.
The glue sticks heat up pretty fast. You’d be done melting them within 5 minutes, and the gun automatically maintains a constant temperature.
What sets this hot-glue apart from its competition is that it allows you to adjust temperatures so you can get optimum results with different materials. The temperature ranges between 100 and 220 degrees Celsius. When working with wood and metal, you can use higher heat, and when working with paper and plastics, you can adjust to low heat.
Furthermore, the gun is incredibly lightweight. Thus you can comfortably handle it for longer periods.
Another plus for this hot-glue gun is that it is extremely safe to use. It features a built-in fuse that prevents it from overheating. Using it is also a breeze, as all you have to do is insert the glue stick into the gun hose from its rear end, then plug in power and wait for it to melt before you pull the trigger to squeeze out the melted adhesive to bond 2 items together.
With a 2-year warranty, this is by far the best heavy-duty hot-glue gun you can get within its price range. It is a gem of a product totally worth the buy.
Other features: can be washed at 40°C; ideal for cotton, denim, linen, felt, wool, ribbon and many more
If you are looking for the perfect glue for sticking decorative items like ribbons together or attaching embellishments to fabric, this is your best bet. The Guterman HT2 is a stitch fabric glue that doesn’t require sewing for reinforcement and can be used on a myriad of fabric materials.
The glue comes in a 30-gram tube that makes its application a breeze. It dries up uniquely compared to other fabric glues. It does not dry up on its own like other glues, but it is heat-sealed to form a stronger bond as it dries up.
When it dries up, it forms a tough bond that is watertight and can withstand machine washing. It beats its competition by being able to withstand dry cleaning without any degradation. Additionally, the seam is also heat resistant so that you can wash any fabric with it in warm water or iron without any worry.
When it comes to fabric, comfort is a crucial factor. Soft fabrics are usually more comfortable, and this should always be maintained when you glue its parts together. Luckily, this glue forms the perfectly flexible bond that stretches and moves with the fabric. It does not come in the way of the fabric’s comfort.
You can use the glue to bond basically any fabric that you can wear, including; denim, wool, ribbon, linen, and cotton.
In a nutshell, this is one of the best fabric glues for patches and rhinestones on fabric or sticking other decorative items together. Essentially, it is one of the best heat-set glues on the market.
Other features: leaves a professional finish, will not clog up the needle
If you are on the market for a professional multipurpose spray-on adhesive, try the Max-Pro. It is a sure bet as it is safe to use and gives a permanent bond for a variety of materials. It is also made to be gentle enough no to bleed through, curl, or wrinkle on your fabric.
The restickable adhesive allows you time, about 2 minutes, to reposition your materials after application before it forms heat and water-resistant seal. Because of this, it cannot clog up the needle, thus a perfect choice for embroidery.
The glue’s mist spray pattern makes it super easy to use the glue, and it also contributes to the tough permanent bond it forms with various material. Other than fabrics, you can use the glue to hold photo and archival documents, and it is also strong enough for foams, cardboard, foils, glass, wood, and ceramics.
What’s more, the glue dries pretty fast and clear with a professional finish. You don’t have to worry about it messing up your white fabrics. Plus, once it is dry, it moves just as good as the whole fabric.
All considered, this is one of the best fabric glues for clothes, especially if you are looking to make repositionable bonds when designing or embroidering.
When considering which brand of fabric glue to go with, there are a few crucial things you have to consider, like the type of project you’ll be working on, the type of fabric you’ll be using the glue on. In this section, you will get to know all the essential details about fabric glue from its benefits and various types to the critical features you have to be keen on for you to make the best buy.
Fabric glue comes in handy in keeping things together not only in the garment industry but also in other factory projects. Here are some good reasons why you should buy fabric glue:
You can use fabric glue to attach ribbons, plastic, and other pieces or materials used in decoration without having to stitch. You can also attach embellishments to clothes easily with permanent fabric glue.
There are specific brands of fabric glue that come in a bundle for repairing rips, holes, or little burns on pieces of garments. You wouldn’t have to throw away your whole couch because of a small rip on its upholstery when you can easily fix it with invisible glue.
You can use temporary fabric glue to perfectly hold fabric together in place so you can get the perfect hem, embroidery, or a perfect quilt.
Here are the main types of fabric glue:
This is the type of glue that forms a permanent bond between fabrics that does not wear out even with regular washing and ironing. However, some permanent glues can be washed off before they dry if you apply incorrectly. Permanent glues come in handy when you need to forego stitching.
This is the type of glue that allows you to reposition the bond between your fabrics. They are usually washable and are best suited for holding pieces of fabric together during design, embroidery, or sewing until one is satisfied with the final result.
This is the kind of glue that doesn’t dry on its own like many other fabric glues. You have to heat-set it by ironing or pressing it in a heat print machine for it to form a stronger bond.
This is like the opposite of heat-set glue. It is more convenient as all you need to do is apply it then let it dry. The curing depends on the brand; some take a few minutes while others need as much as 24 hours to dry and form a strong bond.
This is the type of spray that comes in an aerosol spray can. It is the easiest to use, but you need to apply it in a well-ventilated room and maybe use a respirator to protect yourself from the mist.
These are the most common adhesives. They come in a tube or soft plastic bottle packaging with a spout on top. You only need to press the bottle or tube, so the glue is squeezed out through the spout.
Here are some of the key features you have to look out for when buying a fabric glue:
This is the time the glue takes to dry up and form a strong bond. Different brands have varying drying speeds, and it determines how long it takes you to wash the fabric. If you are the impatient kind of person, avoid the glues that take as long as 24 hours to dry like the Dritz Home 44153 Liquid Adhesive reviewed above.
If you are patient enough, then the longer it takes, the stronger the bond.
Fabric glues dry in different ways, some dry milky while others dry clear. Be sure to go for glues with a clear dry as you wouldn’t want your whites getting stained. You should also consider the glue’s discoloration; some bonds turn yellow with time, which indicates that the glue is low-quality. The best fabric glue should dry clear and have an adhesive that doesn’t yellow over time.
Different glues have varying levels of stickiness. The choice of the glue’s adhesive strength depends on the needs of your project. For instance, if you intend to use the glue on a garment that will be washed and ironed regularly, you have to go with the super adhesive. But if you intend to use it on decorative pieces on a wall-hanging, then you can go for the less strong adhesives.
This is very crucial as it determines how long the bond the glue forms can last with frequent washing. If you need to use a permanent glue for repairs or holding seams or generally just pieces of fabric together, ensure it is the kind that forms a strong water-resistant bond after drying. However, it is better if it dissolves in water before drying so you can always wash it off in case you apply incorrectly.
This is very crucial, especially when you have to glue soft fabrics together.
Choose a fabric glue that dries into a strong but flexible bond that moves when the fabric moves so that it doesn’t interfere with the garment’s comfort.
Most fabric glues come in either tubes, bottles or aerosol cans. You can choose what suits your preferences among the 3, but you really have to consider the ease of application. Go for models that come with extra accessories for easy application to avoid any inconveniences, especially if the glue is toxic.
For instance, the Permatex 25247 Fabric Repair Kit reviewed above comes with an application spatula, a mixing bottle, and read instructions to ensure you get everything right in using the fabric glue well.
Glues are not just simple sticky substances. Some of them have dangerous components. Therefore, it is essential to check the labels for any toxicity. Go for models that have non-toxic and acid-free labels on their packages to assure you of the safety of both your health and that of the environment.
Fabric glues come in handy in 2 main scenarios; when you want to skip sewing for whatever reasons and when you need to hold fabric in place for the perfect embroidery or sewing. Finding the best fabric glue for your needs within your budget should not be a hassle if you are keen on the points above. And, if you are thinking of any of the brands in the product review section, you are on the right though track.
Of all the products we reviewed, the Odif 99945 USA 505 Spray & FixTemporary Fabric Adhesive emerged our best overall pick. Its convenient packaging, ease of use, quick-dry, and non-toxicity went unmatched. It also offers an excellent value for money. The GEAR AID Seam Grip WP Waterproof Sealant and Adhesive and the Newacalox Mini Glue Gun Kit followed in the ranking. They both have premium adhesive quality and are easy to apply. The gun kit is feature-packed to offer you the best fabric gluing experience.
