Fabric glue can attach two pieces of fabrics onto each other in a matter of seconds with ease. According to the Sewing Parts channel, it can be used to hem projects while maintaining the original flexibility of the fabric.
Fabric glue can be used to hem projects while maintaining the original flexibility of the fabric.
Sewing Parts channel
Fabric glue comes in a variety of forms. It could be in form of liquid adhesives, spray glue, adhesive tape, glue, stick, or glue powder. Of course, each one offers different sticking action and durability. The same goes for their neatness and application. With this, it is always suggested to make a keen assessment of what you really need for your projects.
For instance, The Bish Tear Mender TTB-6-D-B is a permanent glue that excels in terms of a durable bond. Nonetheless, besides this, it is one of the fastest options that can cure within minutes. Most of all, it can handle almost any type of fabric from cotton to polyester and even leather.
Liquid adhesives like the one mentioned above are perfect for heavy-duty purposes but if you need a faster and more instant type of glue, spray glue and sticks are good options. Some examples are the Odif 505 and Dritz Stick Fabric Glue. They are handy in various unexpected situations where you need a quick fix and can serve as a good alternative for pins. However, as said, they are just temporary solutions, so their strength isn’t the best.
When applying glue, on the other hand, the type of fabric should also be taken into account. There is almost no fabric glue that can work on any kind of fabric. Each one is specialized to be used for specific types of fabrics. So, if you are planning to glue a big project with a wide variety of fabrics, an army of bottles of different kinds of glue might be needed.
Some fabrics that can be glued include cotton, canvas, satin (poly satin), wool, polyester, nylon, and even fleece. There are more types of fabrics not mentioned but the bottom line about this is to complement the properties of the fabric you have with the right glue. Failure to do it can lead to disastrous and messy projects which translate to wasted precious fabrics.
To prevent this, we prepared the five best glue on the market that will suit most types of fabrics. After a series of tests and comparisons from the leading brands such as The Bish, E6000, Odif, Permatex, and Dritz, we give you our insights based on our personal observation of each product’s performance. Highlighting their best qualities and use, we hope we could guide you to the best one that is perfect for your next project. Here they are:
Best Product Name Comparison & Rating
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1. The Bish Tear Mender TTB-6-D-B Adhesive
Brand | The Bish |
Type | Permanent |
Form | Liquid Adhesive |
Content | 6 fluid ounces |
Tear Mender TTB-6-D-B is one of the toughest glue on the market that can deliver unbreakable bonds to fabrics. It isn’t as flexible as E6000 Fabri-Fuse but when it comes to reliability of hold, this is the best.
It sets within just 3 minutes and can be washed just after 15 minutes. Its resistance to fabric is unbeatable that when we submerged it even after an hour, the hold remained. We also appreciate that the glue is UV-resistant, acid-free, and non-toxic.
Besides its wide application among types of fabrics like polyester, cotton, wool, and more, it can also be used on leather. It can create bonds by seeping into the tiny crevices in the fabric. This prevents penetration of water, hence using it to sport/marine gear is truly viable.
Furthermore, the application is a breeze. The consistency of the glue is not that thick so squeezing some amount out of the bottle is not needed. Just shake it and the glue would automatically come out of the nozzle.
However, the only downside that somehow got our attention about it is its color. Applying it thinly won’t be a problem. But in case you want to use it in thick applications and some excess amount is left unwiped, the glue would almost be visible. This is a problem, especially if you have dark-colored fabrics. Nonetheless, this should not discourage you from choosing this since this can be prevented with proper caution. And given the strength of bond it offers just after 3 minutes, we say that it is one sick bottle of fabric glue that will certainly amaze you!
2. E6000 Fabri-Fuse 565004 Adhesive
Brand | E6000 |
Type | Permanent |
Form | Liquid Adhesive |
Content | 4 fluid ounces |
The one thing that makes E6000 Fabri-Fuse stand out is its capability to be stretched even when it is already dry. This makes it our top suggestion when it comes to flexible fabrics such as polyester. Nonetheless, it is also versatile and applicable to other materials such as wood, glass, metal, and rubber.
The liquid adhesive comes with a total of 4 fluid ounces of content that can dry flat for 8 hours. It is acid-free and has no odor, making it one of the best glue that you can use even in an enclosed workshop. Furthermore, it dries clear so any excess glue won’t be a problem as it could go unnoticed even when it dries. Most of all, it is washable and can tolerate temperatures.
When tested, E6000 Fabri-Fuse was one of the best glue we encountered capable of retaining its flexible property even after a series of exposure to water. Nonetheless, keep in mind that too much amount of glue can lead to stiff areas in the fabric. To avoid this, we suggest thin and even application (you can use a brush) and give it sufficient time to cure completely. It also performs really well in gluing decorative details such as sequins and beads. Truly, one of the best fabric glue products that can work like super glue.
3. Odif 505 Spray and Fix Adhesive
Brand | Odif |
Type | Temporary |
Form | Spray |
Content | 12.4 ounces |
The Odif 505 is a temporary fabric glue in spray form that we chose because of its excellent qualities. Compared to other fabric sprays, it is almost odorless, though caution is still needed when it is being used. Furthermore, it offers 12.4-ounce content which enough for a project or two.
You can use it to give a temporary hold to fabrics instead of using pins which takes time. It is even perfect for hemming and machine embroidery and the best part about it is that it doesn’t gunk up the needle. Really excellent for holding the fabric to stabilizers in machine embroidery and hemming.
Compared to heat-set glue and other liquid additives such as E6000 Fabri-Fuse, it delivers a thin layer of glue on the surface. This doesn’t just explain why it can set in a matter of a minute, but it also allows easy removal of the glue. With water and soap, the solution can be removed and would leave no trace or even discoloration to the fabric. You can also use it to glue other materials as long as it wouldn’t be washed.
Once applied, the glue holds just well but not as strong and firm as other glue. Given its nature as a temporary type of glue, this is understandable. Another positive thing about it is that it allows you to reposition fabrics, allowing better flexibility on your works before you finalize them with a needle and a thread. Nice!
4. Permatex 25247-6PK Fabric Repair Kit
Brand | Permatex |
Type | Permanent |
Form | Liquid Adhesive |
Content | 1/8 fluid ounces adhesive and 7 cups of fabric repair compound in assorted colors (1/8 fluid ounces in each cup) |
Before considering Permatex 25247-6PK, it is important that it works more like a repair glue that directly replaces the hole in fabrics instead of serving as a sticking agent. It works by mimicking the color of the fabric suffering from excessive damage such as holes and burns. This makes it perfect for carpets and fabric upholstery like car seats and sofas.
The idea of this glue is very simple. You just need to match the color of the glue to the surface you are planning to fix. The package comes with 7 cups fabric repair compound in assorted colors, 2 cups fabric air dry adhesive, and a color matching chart. After achieving the right blend, you can apply it using the included application spatula and let it cure overnight.
It works perfectly great in filling up the holes in upholstered seats suffering from cigarette burns. However, it is important to note that it doesn’t provide the best aesthetic. Yes, it can somehow mimic the color of the fabric but the texture is another thing, especially if the fabric has detailed patterns. Nonetheless, given its efficiency as an instant remedy for heavy fabrics, this is one handy glue that is a must-have for any home.
5. Dritz Stick Fabric Glue
Brand | Dritz |
Type | Permanent |
Form | Stick |
Content | .28 ounces |
Another temporary fabric glue that can be really handy in your garment projects is this Dritz Stick Fabric Glue. Compared to the Odif 505, it offers better precision of application as you can directly apply it to a specific area.
Nonetheless, just like the other brand, Dritz Stick Fabric Glue can be easily washed out with water and soap once you have finalized the stitches of your projects. The water solubility is just fair that within a minute of being submerged in the water, it would automatically wash out.
It makes pinning a thing in the past. It can hold fabrics in position perfectly well and although you can reposition the fabric for adjustments, it won’t move unless you force the fabric. Highly recommended for piecework, quilting, or sewing projects.
Another good thing about it is that you can apply thick layers of glue to the fabric for better hold. It won’t affect the adjustability of the fabric and the solubility. Furthermore, it allows you to control the consistency and thickness of the glue on the fabric. Regardless of the thickness of the glue applied, nonetheless, the needles won’t gum up in any manner! Most of all, it is one of the cheapest glue on the market, making it a good alternative for Odif 505.
Best Fabric Glue - Buyer's Guide
The first thing to consider when buying fabric glue is the type of fabric you are planning to work on. Ideally, it is best to have a fabric glue that has a flexible quality that would allow it to adjust when the fabric is being stretched.
For instance, polyester is one type of fabric that is fairly stretchable. With this, using fabric glue that becomes stiff when dries wouldn’t be a good idea. Not only it could affect the performance of the glue itself, but it can also do more harm than good to the fabric.
That said, use products like E6000 Fabri-Fuse and The Bish Tear Mender TTB-6-D-B which can offer both durable bonds and flexibility at the same time.
If you want a long-term solution and a good alternative to needles and threads, permanent glue is the one you should have. The Bish Tear Mender TTB-6-D-B is one of the best options there is, given its short-curing time and water-resistance capability. Its bond is also unbeatable since it penetrates and establishes bonds down to the tiny crevices in the fabric.
On the other hand, if you just want an alternative for pins that are undeniably time-consuming to use, temporary glue products like Odif 505 and Dritz Stick Fabric Glue are great. They allow adjustment and repositioning of fabrics even if they are already applied minutes ago. Most of all, they can be washed off easily with just water and soap and leaves no mark and discoloration on surfaces.
There is also a type of glue like Permatex 25247-6PK that is not really meant to create a bond between two fabric surfaces. Instead, it is used to “fill” holes in thick fabrics like carpet and upholstered sofa. If this is your case, this one is for you.
Almost all permanent glue products come in liquid forms, so there is almost no flexibility in choices when it comes to them. However, in terms of temporary glue, you have a lot of choices to have. The most common forms are liquid, tape, stick, and spray.
Odif 505 Spray is a good choice if you are planning to cover a large fabric surface. The application is a breeze as the adhesive is in the form of tiny particles that can be spread instantly. However, if you are planning to use the glue for detailed and small areas, the solid form is more ideal. This is why Dritz Stick is a great option for thin hems.
Be sure that the glue has the right set of qualities you need for your projects; be it the short curing time, transparent color, and being odor-free and non-toxic. This is important to make sure that you would be able to use it with ease and safety. This will also ensure that you get the best value out of your purchase.
Best Fabric Glue - FAQs
No, superglue and fabric glue are not the same. Though some superglue products claim that they can be used for fabrics, there lack some attributes of good fabric glue that make it impossible for them to bond fabrics for a long time.
This depends on the reason why you need to purchase fabric glue. If you want a direct alternative for needles and threads, permanent glue is the one to have. On the other hand, if you just need a temporary glue that will aid you in hems and other sewing tasks, temporary fabric glue is suggested as it can allow the repositioning of fabrics.
It depends on the type of fabric glue you have. Permanent fabric glue doesn’t wash off. There are also fabric glue products that are colored which can cause stains. On the other side of the coin, temporary fabric glue can be washed off easily with water and soap.
Fabric glue in liquid form is best for upholstery. It can aid in attaching fabric to the underside of the furniture that has a problem. There are also liquid glue products like Permatex 25247-6PK that will allow you to fill shallow holes in damaged upholstered furniture.
