Sewing is a skill that takes time, patience and dedication to master. When you are in a critical juncture and cannot use thread and needles, fabric glue is a simple solution. Fabric glue is an adhesive that replaces sewing, which laminates fabrics together by creating temporary or permanent bonds. If you don’t like sewing or need to fix something quickly, this is a good choice. This guide summarizes shopping suggestions and recommendations for some of the best fabric glue options on the market.
Not all fabric glues are the same. There are many types of adhesives to browse, each with specific benefits, suitable for certain types of projects, but may not be suitable for others. Read on to learn more about these adhesives and discover which fabric glue type is best for your production and repair needs.
Before you buy fabric glue, the first thing you need to decide is whether what you want is permanent or temporary.
Permanent adhesives provide a stronger bond and can last for a long time because they are insoluble after drying. After washing, these glues will not even fall off the fabric. This type of fabric glue is very suitable for clothing repairs and other items that want to remain durable.
Temporary adhesives are water-soluble, which means that the fabric glue will come off the fabric when it comes in contact with water. Fabrics treated with these glues are not machine washable because washing them will cause the bond to separate. You can also tear the temporary glue more easily before it dries.
This fabric glue is very suitable for projects that require a lot of fabric repositioning, such as quilting.
Thermosetting adhesives refer to glues that bond at some warmer temperatures but do not bond at other temperatures. The adhesive chemistry activates at a certain temperature and forms a strong bond, which crystallizes when the heat is removed, thereby increasing its strength.
One of the benefits of thermosetting fabric glues is that they are not sticky, and the adhesive does not stick to itself, so it is easier to use. The disadvantage is that it does not dry on its own.
Cold-setting fabric glue is more popular than thermosetting glue because it is more convenient to use. No heating is required. All you have to do is apply it and let it dry on its own.
The disadvantage is that the time required for drying can be quite long, depending on the product. Some take a few minutes, some may take up to 24 hours. On the other hand, thermosetting adhesives dry quickly once they are heated.
The fabric glue in the aerosol spray can is called spray glue. Although it is the easiest glue to use, it can be more difficult to control the amount of adhesive released. This glue is best suited for larger fabric projects, rather than smaller, more detailed projects. Spray glue should be used in a well-ventilated room to prevent you from inhaling it.
Non-sprayed glue is the most common type of fabric glue. They are not aerosol cans, but are usually packaged in tiny tubes or plastic bottles so you can control the amount of glue released. Some products even come with customizable tips to achieve the required glue flow.
By now, you may have narrowed down the type of fabric glue you want to buy, but there are still other factors to consider. When determining the best fabric glue for your project, drying time, water resistance, and strength are other factors to consider. Read on to learn what else you need to consider before buying a new fabric glue.
The drying time of the fabric glue will vary depending on the type of glue and the material being bonded. The drying time may vary from 3 minutes to 24 hours.
The quick-drying adhesive can be used almost immediately, making it ideal for instant clothing repair and restoration on the go. Although quick-drying adhesives tend to be more flexible, they are not as durable as other glues. If you want a strong, long-lasting bond, and time is short, choose an adhesive that requires more time to set.
Finally, remember that you usually have to wait at least 24 hours before cleaning the glued fabric. This is true even if the glue is permanent and waterproof. Please read the product instructions carefully before washing the bonded fabric or getting wet.
Each fabric glue has a different degree of stickiness, which will affect its overall bonding strength. Products labeled “Super” or “Industrial” generally have excellent strength, which is very useful for items that are used frequently, cleaned regularly, and suffer a lot of wear and tear. Stronger adhesives are also suitable for materials such as leather, gauze or silk.
Regardless of whether the strength is indicated on the packaging, most fabric glues are durable enough for home decoration, clothing, and other infrequently used items.
If you want to use adhesives on clothes that you wash frequently, be sure to choose waterproof fabric glue. Despite frequent contact with water, this type of glue will continue.
Waterproof glue is usually a permanent glue with strong adhesion. If you temporarily glue something and eventually want to wash it off, don’t choose waterproof glue. A better option for “wash-off” projects is temporary glue, which is water-soluble, which means it can be removed with a little soap and water.
Fabric glues with a “waterproof” label are usually machine washable, but it is best to check the glue label before washing the glued fabric.
Chemically resistant fabric glues are great because they will not react with chemicals such as petroleum and diesel, which can weaken the adhesion of the adhesive. If you are repairing clothes or working on items that will be exposed to these chemicals, check the glue label.
The flexible fabric glue will not harden after being applied to the fabric. This is a good quality for the items you will be wearing, because the more flexible they are, the more comfortable they are.
When the fabric glue is not flexible, it will harden, harden, and itchy when worn. Inflexible adhesives are more likely to damage and stain your fabric, and form lumps and messy strings of glue. Flexible fabric glue looks cleaner.
Most fabric glues today are labeled flexible, but please confirm this on the label before buying. Not every project requires flexibility, but this quality is especially important for any adhesives you use in wearable projects.
High-quality adhesives are suitable for all kinds of fabrics and have a wide range of uses. For example, some of the products on our list can be used for everything from wood to leather to vinyl.
The more uses of fabric glue, the more convenient and cost-effective it is. Two good glues to use in your craft closet are waterproof and quick-drying adhesives. Glues with multiple prompts or customizable prompts can also be used for various applications.
Most fabric glue comes in a bottle, however, some larger kits come with additional accessories to make it easier to apply the adhesive. These accessories include customizable tips, multiple precision tips, applicator wands, and applicator tubes.
If you often use fabric glue in your work or hobbies, in the long run, multiple bottles of glue can save you money. You can keep the excess glue on hand for future use, or put one bottle in your craft closet and the other in your studio.
Once you have determined the type of fabric glue you need and any beneficial features, you can start shopping. Read on to our selection of some of the best fabric glues on the web.
Tear Mender Instant fabric and leather adhesives have been in existence for more than 80 years. Its non-toxic, acid-free and water-based natural latex formula can form a durable, flexible and permanent bond within three minutes. In fact, it is very durable, and the newly bonded fabric can be cleaned in just 15 minutes.
We love that this product is waterproof and UV resistant, making it an ideal choice for indoor and outdoor fabrics, including upholstery, clothing, sports equipment, leather and home decoration. It is affordable and has a variety of sizes and packaging options to meet your needs.
The seven-piece safety stitch liquid sewing solution kit enables users to handle a variety of fabric repairs. It includes two quick-drying, permanent fabric bonding solutions that will not tangle or stick to your skin. Each is suitable for different kinds of materials: full fabric solutions are suitable for denim, cotton and leather, while synthetic formulas are suitable for nylon, polyester and acrylic. Both formulas are washable and flexible.
In addition, the kit comes with a silicone applicator to help you apply the solution, two custom hem measuring clips, and two applicator bottles.
Beacon’s Fabri-Tac permanent adhesive is a professional-grade product that is very popular among fashion designers and clothing creators. We like that it does not require heating to form a crystal clear, durable, acid-free and washable bond. In addition, its formula is light enough not to soak or stain your material, which is why it is a great choice for people dealing with lace or leather. It is also suitable for wood, glass and decoration.
Fabri-Tac’s 4 oz small application bottle makes it easy to use for hem and last-minute repairs and small-piece projects. It is reasonably priced, so it makes sense to buy some at a time and put one in your toolbox and the other in the craft room.
Not every project is meant to last forever, and the Roxanne Glue Baste It formula is the perfect temporary adhesive for temporary fabric bonding. This glue is made from a 100% water-soluble solution, which can dry in a few minutes without feeling stiff, and has a firm and flexible holding power.
The cool thing about this product is its unique syringe applicator, which allows you to place one or two drops exactly where you want to go. Glue Baste It is perfect for quilting and applique projects because you can easily pull the fabric apart and reposition it before the glue is completely dry. When you want to remove the glue, just throw the clothes into the washing machine.
When you are dealing with delicate quilting projects or sewing dresses, you want to make room for several redesigns-and this is exactly what Odif 505 fabric temporary adhesive allows you to do. If you know you need to reposition the material, then this temporary adhesive is just what you need. Moreover, if you use it with a sewing machine, you don’t have to worry about it sticking to your needles.
Non-toxic, acid-free, and odorless, this spray is easy to remove with detergent and water, and it is environmentally friendly because it does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFC).
For craftsmen who use rhinestones, patches, pompoms and other decorative objects to decorate fabrics, Aleene’s Original Super Fabric Adhesive may be the perfect crafting partner. This industrial-strength glue can be used to form permanent, machine-washable bonds on leather, vinyl, polyester blends, felt, denim, satin, canvas, etc. It dries cleanly and quickly, and can be washed within 72 hours after use.
This adhesive comes with a customizable tip that allows you to control the amount of glue applied on a specific project. Just cut the tip at the required ridge level to get the smallest to maximum glue flow: cut towards the top and only allow a thin strip of glue to flow out, or cut towards the bottom of the tip to get a thicker glue flow. This super adhesive comes in 2 ounce tubes.
If you often use velvet, please prepare a dry, clean and transparent adhesive, such as Beacon Adhesives Gem-Tac permanent adhesive. This glue is effective in bonding velvet fabrics as well as gems, lace, trim, pearls, studs, rhinestones, sequins, and even leather, vinyl, and wood.
Gem-Tac takes about 1 hour to dry and 24 hours to cure, but once dried, this high-quality adhesive will be durable. Its unique formula is not only machine washable, but also stronger when exposed to the heat of the dryer. It is sold in 2 ounce bottles.
Lighter fabrics like tulle can adapt well to most fabric glues on the market, but you need a stronger adhesive to keep the decoration on the tulle in place. Gorilla Waterproof Fabric Glue is a high-strength glue that is transparent after drying. It is specially formulated to bond fabrics with difficult-to-hold gems and rhinestones. This is exactly what clothing designers working with tulle need.
More importantly, this 100% waterproof adhesive can be used for felt, denim, canvas, buttons, ribbons and other fabrics. It is safe to use in washing machines and dryers, and it remains flexible even after you wash it.
Leather is one of the materials that require specific glue. Although most fabric adhesives claim to work well on leather, Fiebing’s leather craft cement can help you completely rest assured.
This fabric glue is made with a strong and durable water-based solution to form a permanent bond that can dry quickly. It can also be used for cloth, paper and particleboard projects. The downside of Fiebing’s is that it cannot be machine washed, but if you use it on leather, it is not a deal breaker. It comes in a 4 oz bottle.
In addition to having excellent fabric scissors and fabric coatings, high-quality fabric glue should be a must in your toolbox.
Post time: Oct-25-2021