Fabric glue is specially formulated to make a strong bond while remaining flexible.
Flexibility is vital for fabric applications because fabrics can move, bend, and twist during use by their nature.
Whether you want to repair torn blue jeans or glue baste seams on a quilt, fabric adhesive delivers excellent results.
Once you stock your sewing kit with fabric glue, you’ll find that it has many great uses while quilting or fixing your favorite things around the house.
- Can I Use Fabric Glue Instead of Sewing?
- Benefits of Using Fabric Glue
- 7 Excellent Choices for Quilters and Sewers
- 1. Aleenes Fabric Fusion Adhesive, 8 oz. Bottle
- 2. Elmer’s E431 Craft Bond Fabric and Paper Glue, 4 oz. Bottle
- 3. Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive, 2 oz. Bottle
- 4. Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 4 oz. Bottle
- 5. Dritz Original Liquid Stitch, 4 oz. Tube
- 6. Gorilla Clear Waterproof Fabric Glue, 2.5 oz. Bottle
- 7. Aleene’s 15626 No-Sew Fabric Glue, Multicolor 4 oz. Bottle
- Ditch the Pins!
Can I Use Fabric Glue Instead of Sewing?
No-sew craft projects will rely on permanent fabric glue to hold pieces together. For the most part, fabric glue does not replace sewing, but it works wonderfully for holding pieces together while you stitch seams.
Pins on triangle quilt patterns can fail to hold tight enough while you sew to create crisp, sharp corners. Glue solves this problem because you can ensure a tight hold in precisely the right places while sewing seams.
Overall, fabric glue excels when a temporary hold is needed to produce superior sewing results. You would not use glue to totally replace stitches on seams because the adhesive may not resist repeated stress.
However, fabric glue would be your top choice for attaching applique or sequin and gemstone decorations. It may also be your only option when fixing a jagged tear in the fabric.
Benefits of Using Fabric Glue
Temporarily gluing pieces while quilting should take less time than pinning everything together. It truly is a time-saving shortcut compared to sticking dozens of pins into the fabric. You also won’t have to stop and pull pins while running the sewing machine.
Top benefits of fabric glue:
- Hold seams perfectly in place for sewing
- Avoid hitting pins with a sewing needle
- Attach patches or decorative elements
- Secure hems perfectly before stitching
- Repair torn items
7 Excellent Choices for Quilters and Sewers
Fabric glue reviews help you find the best type of glue for what you need to do. Not all products are suited to every application.
1. Aleenes Fabric Fusion Adhesive, 8 oz. Bottle
A little bit goes a long way with this fabric glue meant for common fabrics, like cotton, flannel, and jersey. The glue works on leather too. You can use it to attach trims and beads. The manufacturer recommends using small dabs of glue. Its adhesive action does not require thick applications. In fact, a thick layer will increase drying time.
Main Features:
- Permanent adhesion
- Clear
- Washable
- Long-term flexibility
- Non-stringing
2. Elmer’s E431 Craft Bond Fabric and Paper Glue, 4 oz. Bottle
Any grade school kid will tell you that Elmer’s is synonymous with glue. This product adapts to many craft uses, such as scrapbooking and hemming pants or curtains. Its strong bond works to repair items like gloves or ripped jeans.
Main Features:
- Permanent adhesion
- Clear
- Washable
- Meant for paper and fabric
- Made in U.S.A.
3. Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive, 2 oz. Bottle
This is a strong fabric glue with the added benefit of being manufactured from non-toxic materials. It uses a formula of naturally derived ingredients to create a permanent bond quickly.
Although not necessarily the best option for quilting, you can rely on it to repair outdoor items like patio furnishings and repairs to leather or vinyl items.
Formulated to work on porous materials, the glue does not cling to hard surfaces. If you get some on a table, you can rub it off with your finger.
Main Features:
- Dries in 3 minutes
- Non-toxic ingredients
- Does not irritate skin
- Waterproof
- Flexible
4. Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 4 oz. Bottle
Fabri-Tac takes pride in its professional-grade fabric glue. Fashion designers rank it among the best fabric glues.
It secures decorations to wedding dresses and costumes. The fast-drying adhesive does not soak into fabrics.
As a result, you won’t have to worry about it showing through if you use it on quilt blocks. The glue is appropriate for many applications involving leather, fabric, and lace trim. Use it to repair broken hems and pockets.
Main Features:
- Clear
- Fast drying
- Flexible
- Made in the U.S.A.
5. Dritz Original Liquid Stitch, 4 oz. Tube
When you want to enjoy the fast satisfaction of a no-sew project, this liquid stitch product performs well.
Clothes repaired with this glue can be put through the washer and the dryer. The permanent glue is a great choice for attaching decorative elements and repairing hems or zippers.
If you drip glue in the wrong place, you can wash it off with water as long as it has not dried yet.
Main Features:
- Strong bond
- Washable
- Clear
- Flexible
6. Gorilla Clear Waterproof Fabric Glue, 2.5 oz. Bottle
Gorilla is a top brand in the world of glue. The fabric glue is formulated for success on cotton, polyester, felt, and denim.
Users report that this glue works best on tightly woven fabrics. Like most fabric glues, it’s the best method for securing beads and sequins.
Fabric glue offers an excellent alternative to needle and thread when you want to attach ribbons.
Main Features:
- Dries clear
- Waterproof
- Strong bond
7. Aleene’s 15626 No-Sew Fabric Glue, Multicolor 4 oz. Bottle
When you’re working on a complex quilt block design and want precision, this temporary fabric glue is the extra set of hands you need. It keeps the fabric pieces in perfect position while you sew them together.
This glue replaces time spent putting in pins and taking them out. The glue dissolves out when you wash your completed sewing project.
Main Features:
- Temporary adhesion
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Does not leave residue on sewing needle
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Ditch the Pins!
As a quilter, the best glue for fabric is the one that helps you reduce your reliance on pins. Fabric glue enables superior seams and could allow you to tackle more complex designs.
You also won’t have to struggle to pin small pieces.
Besides being a quilter’s best friend, fabric glue provides quick fixes when the stitching comes out of a hem, or you need to whip up a costume for a school play.