The 5 Best Fabric Glues

Have you ever used fabric glue? It's an adhesive that can be safely used on fabric. There are some types of fabric glue that create a temporary bond. This glue is perfect for an outfit you're only going to wear occasionally. It also works well when you're sewing a difficult fabric. It can help keep everything in place until you're done, then you can easily take it apart by removing the glue with nail polish remover. Some fabric glue is meant to be permanent. It's safe to put it in the washing machine and will hold up well to normal wear and tear. Some people use fabric glue instead of a needle and thread, creating a "no-sew" project. It also works for adding embellishments. No matter what you plan on using it for, you can trust the five fabric glues reviewed below to get the job done for you.

Dritz 653111 Original Liquid Stitch 4-Fluid Ounce

Dries Clear

This permanent fabric glue is washer and dryer safe, and dries clear so it won't stick out on your material.

Best Overall

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Liquid Stitch is a great way to adhere your fabric. It goes on easily, and dries clear. Application is simple. You apply a think layer on the wrong side of the fabric, and then position the fabric together carefully. Once it’s dried, you can safely put items with it in the washer and dryer. You will need to wait about thirty minutes for it to dry, and you shouldn’t wash it for 24 hours. That way it can get a good cure. If you get too much glue on the fabric and it begins to drip, you can easily clean it up with water. Just make sure to do this right away, before it dries. This fabric glue isn’t recommended for any material that will be dry cleaned.

Pros

Applies easily
Dries clear
Washer and dryer safe

Cons

You have to squeeze hard to get it out of the tube

Aleene’s Always Ready Tacky Glue, 4 oz.

Versatile Formula

You can use this glue on fabric and so many other types of material.

Most Versatile

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If you want a fabric glue that you can use on all sorts of projects, get yourself a bottle of this. It works on so many different types of material, including fabric, paper, wood, foam, and more. You can even use it in slime since it’s a non-toxic adhesive. You will need to cut the tip off when you first open it. There’s a cap that closes it back up. You can decide how big of an opening you want when you cut it, as there are three different cutting lines available. One is for a thin opening, one medium, and one thick. Before you cut it, think about how you will most often use this glue, as you can’t undo the cut once you’re done. This fabric glue is not meant for washable fabrics, so it’s not a great fit for fixing clothes. However, it’s perfect for household items, fabric crafts, and more.

Pros

Versatile
Strong adhesive
Easy to squeeze out

Cons

You have to cut the tip to create an opening, so have to decide how big of a hole to cut

Sewline Riolis Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen with Refill

A Grab and Go Fabric Glue

This fabric glue comes in a convenient pen-sized tube so it's easy to store in your purse or car.

Most Portable

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Have you ever had a wardrobe malfunction when you were out and about? With one of these in your purse, you could easily take care of it. This pen shaped container is full of a water-soluble fabric glue. It dries fairly quickly, so you can quickly glue your torn pieces of fabric together. This fabric glue is not permanent. It washes off with water. But, it’s perfect for a temporary fix. You can also use this product when sewing. It’s so much faster than using pins to piece your material together. This glue stick pen is easy to apply to a small location. You can be very precise with the placement. When the glue is empty, you can refill the pen with more.

Pros

Small size
Can be refilled
Washes off easily

Cons

Won’t work well on stronger materials

E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive, 3.7 Fluid Ounces

Industrial Strength

This fabric glue creates a permanent bond that's going to last.

Strongest Bond

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Do you need a strong fabric glue that creates a durable bond? This product is perfect for adhering fabric to other materials. You can use it to cover wood or metal with pretty fabric. The glue is temperature resistant, so it can even go in the washer and dryer. It dries clear, and you can paint it once it’s dry. Once this glue has cured, it is non-flammable. This glue is not great for when you need precision. It comes out of the tube in a larger stream, and there’s no nozzle to slow it down and help you aim. You will almost certainly end up with more glue than you need. However, the extra wipes up easily.

Pros

Industrial strength
Works on many different materials
Temperature resistant

Cons

Not good for precision work

Aleenes 25042 Fabric Fusion Adhesive, 8-ounce

Safe for Dry Cleaning

This fabric glue can go in the washer, dryer, and it's dry cleanable.

Largest Bottle

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This fabric glue comes in a larger bottle than most. Instead of only 4-ounces, you’ll get eight. It’s perfect for adding embellishments, no-sew projects, and fixing furniture rips. You can use it on a variety of fabrics, including heavier materials like denim. This fabric glue is very strong. It creates a permanent bond that holds up to washing and drying. You can even use this on items that need dry cleaned. You will need to cut the opening to the size you want. There’s a lid that goes on over the opening so you can close it and use it again on another project.

Pros

Large bottle
Works on a variety of fabrics
Dry cleaning safe

Cons

Takes quite a while to dry

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use fabric glue?

Typically, you apply the fabric glue to the backside of the material you want to connect. That way, it won’t show as much. Put a thin layer of the glue on each piece of fabric, and then carefully line them up. Then, press them together. Let your project dry completely before you wash it.

Is fabric glue safe on my fabric?

Fabric glue is safe on many fabrics. However, it’s always best to test your fabric first to make sure. Simply put a little of the glue in an inconspicuous spot. Then, let it dry completely. When it’s dry, examine your fabric. If everything appears to be fine, you can proceed with using the fabric. If you notice discoloration or any other problems, it’s not a good fit.

Should I sew or use fabric glue?

You can use your fabric glue for so many projects. But, it’s not always the best option. Fabric glue works better on some fabrics than others. Some fabric glue won’t hold denim and other heavier fabrics together. This adhesive works very well for adding embellishments to your project. However, glue isn’t going to hold up as well as stitches would. You can’t simply glue the cut out pattern pieces of a shirt together and start wearing a shirt. Those seams need sewn together to create a durable seam that can stand up to frequent movement. There are no-sew projects that don’t get a lot of wear and tear that fabric glue works great for. You can use it to put a Halloween costume together, since that’s just going to be worn once. So fabric glue can’t completely eliminate your need for sewing, but it can do quite a bit.