Are you looking for best fabric glue to upcycle clothes without sewing? There are different types of adhesives that serve specific purposes, so let’s find a permanent adhesive that is waterproof and stays secure after multiple wears. Here are the best fabric glues that I have thoroughly tested and recommend for no sew clothing projects.
From alterations to hemming, no sew glue for fabric is the easiest way to make upcycled clothing. Transform old clothes without sewing and make them better than the original garments.
Fabric glue is handy when it comes to turning old clothes into brand new, trendy and stylish clothes. Consider no sew projects like t-shirt refashion, hair scrunchies and yoga tops.
Can you use any type of glue on clothing?
Adhesives are designed with specific properties for clearly defined materials. As a result, they react differently depending on the application.
If you have been using Gorilla Glue, hot glue guns and super glue on clothing, then it’s definitely time to stop!
Can I use Gorilla Glue on fabric? The Gorilla glue is great for outdoor use, but it will probably ruin the fabric and clothing. It is way too strong and might create holes and tears, so stick to wood and other durable materials when using Gorilla Glue.
Can you use glue gun on fabric? A hot glue gun is not the ideal tool to glue fabrics together. If you decide to proceed with a glue gun, then use a low heat glue or low heat setting on the glue gun.
High heat and extremely hot glue can damage certain textile materials. Always test the glue on a small piece of fabric to check that you have the right glue gun setting and a low heat glue stick that won’t melt the material.
Does super glue work on clothes? Using super glue on fabric is not a good idea. Super glue tends to polymerize rapidly when added to fibers like cotton, therefore it will quickly generate heat that may burn the fibers.
In addition, super glue cures into a brittle form that is not bendable and flexible like clothing needs to be. As a result, the bond will crack instead of supporting fabric drape and movement.
What Kind Of Glue Is Best For Fabric
Fabric glue is useful tool to finish the hem, join seams, and attaching buttons or notions. With the right glue, you can work on leggings, denim jeans, leather, canvas, and also vinyl plastic fabrications.
In order to find the best kind of glue for fabric, start by checking the care label of the garment and compare it with the instructions on the glue. This will give you a clear idea if the adhesive is the perfect match.
Because one fabric glue doesn’t fit all no sew projects, I’ve listed the best glues specifically designed for each material:
- T-Shirt and Leggings: If you are working on stretchy garments like t-shirts or leggings, then you need to look for fabric glues that also stretch. Aleene’s 15592 Flexible Stretchable Glue is perfect for any knit fabric because the adhesive dries clear and won’t crack when the clothes are worn. Furthermore, the glue is also permanent and washable.
- Men’s Dress Shirt: In general, men’s dress shirts are made with cotton poplin fabrication, which doesn’t have any stretch at all. The best fabric glue for men’s dress shirt is Dritz Original Liquid Stitch permanent fabric adhesive. It bonds well with the material, and attaches no sew appliqués and embellishments on the surface. The bond stays flexible after washing and can also be erased with soap and water before it dries.
- Denim Jeans: When it comes to jeans, you need to look for a fabric glue that doesn’t experience a yellowing effect and also has the strength to hold the heavy weight material. Tear Mender Instant Fabric Adhesive is perfect fabric glue to repair rips and tears on denim. It is waterproof, machine washable, and is easy to clean. Also, it doesn’t require heat to seal the bond. Made with non-toxic materials, so you can feel comfortable about it being applied it on your jeans.
- Leather, Canvas, and Vinyl Plastic: When working with leather, canvas, or plastic vinyl materials, look for a fabric glue that dries fast with a strong bond. The Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel is perfect for this category. It doesn’t run when pooled up, and dries in about 10 seconds.
- Trim and Embellishment: When upcycling clothing, it is common practice to add trims or embellishments such as lace and notions to upgrade the style. The Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive is perfect for these details. It does not leave any stains when working on small areas, and is dries clear, permanent, and maintains a flexible bond.
Every no sew project deals with different fabrications and technique, so I recommend maintaining a collection of fabric glues in your sewing kit. Enjoy the transformation process and also take a short cut with easy no sew hacks.
How Do You Glue Fabric To Clothes?
Fabric glue is great tool for making DIY clothing without sewing. In order to glue fabric together, you will need to understand a few techniques.
Start by testing the glue on a scrap piece of fabric. All you need is a small application to get started, and see how the fabric reacts after the adhesive completely dries.
- Use fabric glue as an alternative to basting stitch. It will save lots of time, and gets the work done quickly. Once you have completed the permanent stitches, simply wash out the fabric glue. Avoid the need for pins or having to remove the basting stitches anymore.
- Pinning before sewing can be tricky, especially with a glossy or slippery fabric. Use fabric glue instead of pins. Apply fabric glue to hold the fabric together until you finish the project with secure stitching. Substitute pins with fabric glue and help to avoid damage caused by sewing over pins.
- When attaching small items to the garment, fabric glue is great option. Needle and thread can be time consuming when it comes to embellishments on a garment. Fabric glues are perfect for no sew buttons or delicate lace trim on a tiny area.
- With knit fabric, you can leave the raw cut edge as hem, but for other fabrications you do need to hem the finish. Simply roll the edge a couple of times and add a small amount of fabric glue to complete the no sew hemming.
- Adding appliqué patches or putting pockets with fabric glue is great ways to upgrade old clothes. Sometimes, a fabric piece or patch may look misplaced or crooked on the garment. Avoid this issue by using a fabric glue as a temporary bond before securing with a solid stitch.
Fabric glues are great when you are working on no sew clothing projects, but there are also many temporary uses for adhesives. The most important considerate it to always choose a glue for fabrics that specifically works for the garment you are working on.
Even though most adhesives are well rounded and you can use them on different materials, they are not guaranteed to perform effectively. Find the best fabric glue for clothes by addressing the strength of bond and type of fabrication.
Hawkeye
Tuesday 31st of August 2021
Hi! I’m looking for fabric glue to add reinforcement to high-wear patches on rugged outdoor clothing. The abrasion resistant cordura on the seat of my sailing trousers is wearing through.
Any suggestions on what fabric glue would work best for adhering new nylon or polyester patches to high-abrasion areas?
Thanks!
Soonjoo
Friday 3rd of September 2021
Hello Hawkeye! Thank you for reaching out. I’m avid hiker and backpacker and I can totally can relate to the need for fixing worn out outdoor clothing. In my experience, Gorilla waterproof fabric glue worked on polyester and nylon patches really well for me. Hope this helps and please let me know how it turns out! Kindly, SoonJoo