The 14 Best Fabric Glues In 2021 [For All Your Mending & Crafting Needs ]

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If you are anything like me, the thought of sewing or stitching something back together is a daunting task. It is something my mother and grandmother were really good at, but I did not inherit.

I am here to tell you fabric glue will become your new best friend. Whether you need to fix some clothing that has fallen apart, bedazzle a jean jacket with some patches or hem some curtains, fabric glue is the way to go.

There’s no need to invest in a sewing machine when this handy dandy glue will do the trick!

What is Fabric Glue?

If you have never used fabric glue before, you might be wondering how it differs from standard glues like Elmer’s, super glue or a hot glue gun. Fabric glue is a permanent glue that adheres mainly to fabrics. Remaining flexible with a semi-permanent or permanent bond after you put it through the washing machine depending on the brand of glue. Fabric glue works on all types of fabrics, and even non-fabric things like leather, wood, burlap, felt and more.

Some people opt for fabric glue instead of a needle and thread because it is well, way easier, more convenient, a space saver and extremely versatile.

Depending on what crafting project awaits will determine the best type of fabric glue for you. Some fabric glues are quick-drying, while others are washable and take more time to set. There are fabric glues that are intended for complex projects like sequin embellishments and applique, while others offer more durability and resilience for crafters mending zippers or needing extra reinforcement as a leather adhesive.

It is important to remember the best fabric glue for upholstery projects is not necessarily going to be the same glue you would want for quilting.

Here are the 14 best fabric glues for all your mending and crafting needs.

The Best Permanent Fabric Glue – Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive

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Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive has been one of the best options for decades when it comes to reputable fabric glues. It is relatively easy to apply, doesn’t require any heat and can be used on various mediums.

This fabric glue will work on wood, leather, lace and more.

Features:

Quick Drying
Non-toxic
Drys clear
Doesn’t soak into fabrics
Machine washable
Acid-free
Flexible
Waterproof
Not recommended for dry cleaning

The Easiest to Use Fabric Glue – Clear Glue Craft Fabric Floral Adhesive Liquid Silicone

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If you are looking for a fabric glue that won’t make a mess, you will want to pick up the Clear Glue Craft Fabric Floral Adhesive Liquid Silicone.

It is great for tons of different craft projects and works well on pretty much everything. This easy-to-use fabric glue works on cardboard, rubber, metal, ceramic, paper and more. It will be hard to find a craft project you need some adhesive for that this baby doesn’t work on.

Features:

Clog free dispenser
Great lots of different craft projects
Non-toxic
Drys clear
Liquid silicone
Strong bond
Nearly odorless
Versatile

The Best Fabric Repair Kit – Permatex 25247 Fabric Repair Kit

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If you have something minor to repair, it is always good to have a fabric repair kit. Similar to a sewing kit for quick fixes.

The Permatex 25247 Fabric Repair Kit is super handy with seven different fabric repair colors to match pretty much anything you are mending, air dry adhesive, a mixing bottle, screen applicator, application spatula and a color chart to help you find the perfect color match.

Features:

Variety of colors for easy fabric matching
Works on a variety of fabrics
Nearly invisible repairs
Great for auto upholstery repairs
Compact and good on the go
Color matching card

The Best Budget Fabric Glue – Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

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For over five decades, Aleene’s has been providing crafters around the globe with high-quality adhesives.

The 36116 Original Tacky Glue won’t break the bank while delivering a great bang for your buck. The lasting bond with this glue is perfect for almost all crafting projects and is known as “America’s favorite crafting glue.” This highly favored glue is easy to dispense, won’t leave any yellowing residue and is great for beginners because it is easy to wipe up if you make a mistake before it dries.

Once it dries, this fabric glue is ultra-strong; you don’t have to worry about any of your patches, beads, leather or other embellishments falling off even after it has been through a wash and dry cycle.

Features:

Dries clear
Easy to clean up
Non-toxic
Simple applicator tip
Low-cost
Dependable – around for over 50 years
Little to no odor

The Best Fabric Glue for Plastics – Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Permanent Fabric Adhesive

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It is no surprise there is another top fabric glue from Aleene’s.

Remember, they have been around for 50 years, and the Fabric Fusion Permanent Fabric Adhesive is a top contender when it comes to a variety of materials. Specifically, when it comes to gluing something to plastic. This fabric glue dries super fast, so you don’t have to worry about delicate rhinestone or beading work falling off while you wait for the glue to dry.

Unlike other permanent glues, this fabric glue has a flexible bond after it dries, making it great to use on clothes as well. This is the perfect glue to use for super intricate projects when you can’t patiently wait for the glue to dry.

Features:

Fast-drying
Works on a variety of materials
Machine washable
Permanent bond
Non-toxic & low odor
Precision applicator
Water-resistant
Dries clear

The Best Water-Soluble Fabric Glue – Dritz Home 44153 Liquid Adhesive Unique Stitch

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While this little tube of fabric glue comes in a 1.25-ounce container, it packs a mean punch.

The Dritz Home 44153 Liquid Adhesive Unique Stitch’s most significant benefit is that you can wash it off with water before it dries, giving you a little more wiggle room for errors.

This industrial-strength permanent glue is excellent for all types of home projects, from attaching decorative trim to simple window repairs. You can use this fabric glue to repair fabrics like quilts and dog beds or fix Christmas ornaments without worrying about it, leaving a color or residue after it dries.

While it can be used on loads of projects, this fabric glue is not recommended to use for hemming.

Features:

Permanent bond
Dries clear
Water-soluble
Non-toxic
Easy to use tube
Machine washable
Great for home decor projects

The Best Machine Washable Fabric Glue – Aleene’s Platinum Bond Adhesive Super Fabric

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If you are looking for the best fabric glue to use on fabrics you are going to throw in the washing machine over and over again; you will want to pick up some Aleene’s Platinum Bond Adhesive Super Fabric.

This is great on denim, hemming, quilts, or any other fabric that regularly needs to be cleaned.

This particular fabric glue might be best for seasoned crafters as it can be a little messy to work with if you are not used to it. It is fast-acting and offers a super stronghold, so there is no dilly-dallying when it comes to using it on your craft projects.

It works on canvas, vinyl, leather and polyester. Just make sure you wait at least 72 hours for the glue to dry before throwing it in the wash.

Features:

Works on a variety of pieces of fabric
Dries clear
Permanent
Machine washable
Bonds quickly
Super stronghold
Custom tip for tailoring the amount of glue
Not great for beginners

The Best Fabric Glue for Felt – E6000 565002 Fabri-Fuse Adhesive

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If you are working on a killer Halloween costume or helping your child with a school project that requires a bunch of felt, the E6000 565002 Fabri-Fuse Adhesive is a great fabric glue to have on hand. It adheres to pretty much anything!

Keep in mind, this glue is not odorless, and it would be best to have a mask on hand if the smell gets too strong, or use this glue outside with adequate ventilation. It is a robust fabric glue and takes about a day to completely dry, so do not try and use this glue on a last-minute project.

While it is great for felt projects, it also works on metal, wood, rubber, glass and more, making it great for crafting.

Features:

Extremely flexible
Acid-free
Dries clear
Rubbery bond
Takes about a day to fully dry
Strong smell
Washable
Perfect for DIY projects

The Best Fabric Glue for Leather – Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive

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Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive has been around since 1932; this might be considered the OG of all fabric glues.

While it does work on a variety of different materials, it is great for leather projects. Whether you are mending an old leather jacket, repairing a purse, patching a golf glove or fixing some soles on your leather shoes, this is the glue you will want to use.

This fabric glue dries in record time at three minutes, and you can throw anything in the washer after this glue has been on the material for fifteen minutes. It is waterproof and UV resistant making it extremely long-lasting even though it dries with a more flexible bond than other fabric glues.

Features:

UV resistant
Non-toxic
Waterproof
Fast-drying
Great on heavy-duty materials
Permanent bond
Acid-free
Made with natural latex

The Best Fabric Glue Pen – Sewline Riolis Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen

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This little fabric glue pen definitely wins the award for the cutest fabric glue. The Sewline Riolis Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen is a refillable fabric glue, also making it eco-friendly. It comes with one refill pen in the kit, so it should last you a while.

It is great for quilting and sewing projects because you can ditch the pins and just put a little glue on and not worry about your fabric budging. It can become stringy and gummy over time, so you will want to keep an eye out for that and replace it when it does so you are not fighting with the glue.

Features:

Convenient
Refillable
Dries clear
Water-soluble
Pen-like application
Non-permanent
Great for sewing

The Best Fabric Glue Spray – Odif USA 505 Spray and Fix Temporary Fabric Adhesive

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A glue spray is almost as easy to use as a glue pen. The Odif USA 505 Spray and Fix Temporary Fabric Adhesive has tons of different uses. This temporary fabric glue can be used for basting, quilting, applique and more and has no scent or color.

The aerosol spray adhesive doesn’t contain anything that is harmful to the environment, is temporary and easy to use. It does not gum up as traditional fabric glues can, but a little goes a long way; but is a great fabric glue for all types of craft projects.

Features:

Acid-free
Non- misting
Non-toxic
Temporary
Odorless
Colorless
Doesn’t gum up sewing needles or machines

The Best Fabric Glue for Beginners – Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue

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Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue is the ideal fabric glue for beginners for many reasons. It starts out clear and stays clear for one. And as you know, Aleene’s has been in the game for a while now, and this clear tacky glue is the perfect glue to use with children on some DIY projects.

It works wonders on projects with buttons, glitter, rhinestones, paper, glass, ceramics and more. The craft projects you can use it for are endless, and you don’t have to worry about a stinky, toxic odor while you are using it. You can control how much glue comes out by how far down you cut the applicator’s tip.

Features:

Non-toxic
Great to use with children
Custom size opening on applicator
Dries clear
Not quick-drying
Super strong
Low odor
Versatile for lots of craft projects

The Best Outdoor Use Fabric Glue – Gorilla Super Glue Gel

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This glue is no joke and is not recommended for children.

With a name like Gorilla glue, you know it is made to last and extremely strong. You will most likely use this glue for bigger projects like fixing some deck furniture, a watering can, stepping stones and more.

You can use this glue on metal, wood, leather, plastic and more, and you only need to use one drop per square inch to get the job done. It will stick to anything and everything, so make sure you are cautious when using it.

Features:

Anti-clog cap
Dries in 10-30 seconds
Works on a variety of materials
No run
Strong bond
Takes 72 hours to fully dry
Easy to remove off skin
Temperature resistant

The Best Temporary Fabric Glue – Dritz 401 Fabric Glue Stick

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Remember back in elementary school when you had a glue stick in your pencil kit? Every serious crafter needs a fabric glue stick. Note that this glue stick is best stored in the refrigerator when not used to keep it from drying out.

It is best used for basting seams, zippers and hems. You can also use this glue stick for attaching things like ribbons, lace, embroidery and other decorative embellishments.

Features:

Easy to apply
Water-soluble
Temporary
Non-toxic
Washes out of most fabric
Keep refrigerated
Great for quilting piecework and sewing

Factors to Consider When Buying Fabric Glue

As you can see, there are tons of types of fabric glues out there. Here are a few factors to consider before you pull the trigger.

Cost

There is no denying cost is always one of the biggest factors when buying something. Whether you are buying lunch, clothes or craft supplies, the price can dictate your decision.

Some fabric glues are budget-friendly and are great for smaller projects, while others could be a bit of an investment but will last you for years if stored properly.

Application

There are tons of different ways to apply your fabric glue from sticks to sprays to bottles to custom applicators.

Some methods are more kid-friendly, while others are recommended for expert crafters. The application can make a big difference in the amount of fabric glue applied and how easily it goes on.

Materials

From fabric to wood to metal to glass and everything in between, you can use fabric glue on just about any craft project you can imagine.

Certain materials adhere better with different fabric glues. A glue you use on felt might not work as well on leather. Where you are applying the glue will depend on the type you need.

Drying Time

Drying time can vary from less than one minute to up to three days. Different projects, types of glue and materials being bonded will affect the drying time. It is essential to know what drying time you are working with before you begin using the glue!

Strength/Bonding

There are different types of fabric glue, from permanent to temporary. Or spray, stick, cool setting and heat setting glues. They offer different strengths depending on what type of material you are working with.

Make sure to understand if you are using a permanent adhesive; you are ready for the long-last effects.

Washability

Removing wet or dried glue, for that matter, can be a pain in the butt.

Have you ever gotten super glue stuck to you? It is no fun to get off and can become a headache really fast. Fabric glue is similar. Some can be removed with water, some are easy to scape off, and others you must wait for it to dry before you can remove it. Then there are super permanent glues that just don’t budge. Be prepared with what you are working with.

At the end of the day, you want a fabric glue that works for whatever project you are working on so you can focus on being creative. Craft on crafters!

The 14 Best Fabric Glues [For All Your Mending & Crafting Needs]: