Fabric gluing made easy: Everything about textile glue

What is fabric glue? And which material can be glued with which textile adhesive? In this blog post, you will learn everything you need to know about gluing and fixing fabric!

The most important things at a glance

• In this post, I introduce you to various fabric glues and tell you how and for what they are used
• There are many ways to use textile adhesive when sewing
• Using fabric glue can make your sewing life much easier

Textile and fabric glue: Why glue instead of sewing?

Is it even necessary?

And: Glue fabric instead of sewing? Does that work?

There are so many ways to use textile adhesive when sewing! Why glue fabrics at all? Actually, for only one reason: To make your life easier. :)

In this article, I introduce you to various fabric glues and tell you how and for what they are used. I also always tell you where you can get the textile adhesive.

Of course, there are many more fabric glues on the market. However, I haven't tested them all. If there is a product that interests you particularly, just leave a comment below. By the way, in another post, I examined what basic equipment you really need for sewing.

By the way: I dedicate this post to our blog reader Karoline, who gave me the great idea to write an article on this topic! Thank you, dear Karoline! :)

Let's go!

Gluing fabric with Wondertape and Stylefix

Let's start with the absolute classics: Adhesive tapes.

• Wondertape from the traditional brand PRYM^* is a double-sided adhesive tape. The adhesive surfaces are protected by a carrier film that is peeled off as soon as the tape is in place. At 6 mm, Wondertape is slightly wider than its sibling, the 4 mm wide Stylefix^*.
• The Stylefix patches^* are made of the same material, but do not come in tape form, but as adhesive dots.
• In addition, Stylefix is also available as adhesive felt^*, which is suitable for heat-sensitive fabrics. It is even easier to use than the adhesive dots: Cut out the desired amount, peel off the carrier film and stick it on. Very suitable for reinforcing eyelets in hoodies & bags.

What can you glue with Wondertape and Stylefix?

Both adhesive tapes are excellently suited to hold tapes, trims, zippers, but also seams in place before you sew them firmly. Appliques or labels can also be attached very well with a piece of tape and thus prepared for sewing.

What do you need to pay attention to when gluing fabric with Wondertape and Stylefix?

Wondertape and Stylefix should not be sewn over, as the glue glues the needle. If it ever happens that the needle accidentally comes into contact with the glue, you can clean the needle with a glasses cleaning cloth or some paint thinner. Alternatively, there are also Anti-Glue Needles^*. They are made of titanium, and are supposed to reduce glue residue.

Both are only intended for temporarily fixing fabrics. The glue of Wondertape is water-soluble and washes out, without leaving residues in the fabric.

The glue of Stylefix does not wash out.

Overview: Textile Adhesive

Sometimes it is a good idea not to sew fabrics, decorative parts, or tapes, but to glue them. For example, if you want to decorate a waterproof bag with an applique and do not want to perforate the fabric with a seam.

There are many different textile adhesives; I introduce you to some of them here.

Gluing Fabric with Ber-Fix

Ber-Fix is a very strong, liquid textile adhesive. It also withstands boiling washes, ironing, heat, and cold. It is suitable for all materials that are slightly absorbent and can absorb the glue well.

It can be used for, e.g., cotton fabrics^*, canvas^*, leather^*, sailcloth^* or neoprene^*.

How is Ber-Fix applied?

The glue is applied with a sponge to both surfaces that are to be glued. Then the fabrics are pressed together and must dry. That's it.

Here you can order the Ber-Fix glue^*.

Gluing Fabric with Nähblitz or Swiss Sewing Powder

Nähblitz and sewing powder are plastic granules that are sprinkled on the fabric to be glued and then ironed in. Through the ironing heat, the granules melt into the fabric and the fabric layers bond. The seams are washable.

Which fabrics can be glued with Nähblitz or sewing powder?

Actually all that can also be ironed. Cotton^*, jeans^*, leather, wool^* - but also fine, light fabrics.

How is sewing powder or patch powder used?

Basically, it is quite simple: The granules are sprinkled, the second fabric layer is placed (or the hem is folded over) and ironed firmly. To protect the iron, a layer of baking paper should be placed underneath. A layer of aluminum foil under the fabric intensifies the ironing heat.

You can reopen the seams by ironing them again.

You can order sewing powder^* and patch powder^* at Amazon.

Gluing Fabric with Gütermann Textile Adhesive

In some of my tutorials, you have already seen that I use the textile adhesive from Gütermann. For example, to glue a detail onto a little bag, like here:

Prym Textile Adhesive

Prym has a very effective textile adhesive in its range, which I now use more often than the one from Gütermann, because in my experience it holds better and is very easy to store. You can order the Prym textile adhesive here.^*

What materials is textile adhesive suitable for?

For cotton^*, leather, plastic, softshell^*, rubber, PVC and much more.

How is textile adhesive applied?

Just like any other universal adhesive. I apply it up to the edges of the material to be glued and press the surfaces firmly together.

You can order the Gütermann glue here^*.

Gluing Fabric with the Temporary Glue Stick

The glue stick was a real discovery for me. And it really makes my sewing life easier. For example, I also use it for applying, fixing bias tape, or sewing on webbing.

I have only been using the Prym glue stick to fix zippers for some time now. In this way, I can position the zipper exactly. Because it can also be equipped with colored glue, I am able to work very precisely.

The glue stick does not glue permanently, so it is only suitable for fixing sewing projects, not for permanent gluing.

After drying, the colored glue is invisible, and it disappears completely when washed.

How is the temporary glue stick applied?

Apply the glue to the right side of the zipper and position it on the fabric. I wait a few minutes to let the glue dry. Then I sew the zipper firmly, without the needle getting glued.

When I ordered the sticks for the first time, I had no idea that I actually keep them next to the sewing machine so I always have them right at hand. By now, I also always have a few colored refills^* on hand.

I got my Prym glue stick from Amazon^*, as well as the refills.

How is the Prym glue stick used

Like a normal paper glue stick. Simply apply, glue the layers together, and let dry briefly.

I ordered the glue stick here^*.

Fixing templates with adhesive spray

If you, like me, enjoy fabric printing, you surely know the problem that templates like to slip. Especially if they are not thin and flexible, but made of more rigid plastic.

Adhesive spray prevents exactly that from happening. It is sprayed on the back of the template. Then the template is placed, and you can apply the paint.

I recently discovered my love for fabric printing and find the adhesive spray especially useful for my Anchor templates ^*very useful. I have already printed entire pieces of fabric with them.

How is adhesive spray used for templates?

So that nothing goes wrong, I place the template with the right side on a piece of newspaper, spray it briefly, and then place it on the fabric.

Then I dab the paint on with a dabbing brush. It works great!

Adhesive spray for templates^* can be found at Amazon, for example.

Gluing Fabric with Fixing Spray

You've probably seen this on my blog quite often: temporary spray adhesive, also simply called fixing spray. I really like using it for all multi-layer sewing projects such as patchwork quilts, quilt placemats, or cosmetic bags.

How do you use fixing spray?

The spray is sprayed onto the two pieces of fabric that are to be joined together. When spraying, I protect the surface with newspaper or baking paper. Then the adhesive is sprayed on in a very thin layer and the two layers are folded together. Press down lightly. Then you can sew.

So far I have only tried Odif 505, so I have no comparison. But I am very satisfied with it because it has an unbeatable advantage: I can sew over it! It does not glue the sewing machine needle.

So I no longer pin smaller quilts together with safety pins, but join the layers with fixing spray. This saves a lot of time. And it is also more precise, because I can repeatedly separate the layers and readjust them until everything is exactly where I want it.

The spray can be washed out completely.

I also got the fixing spray^* from Amazon.

Gluing fabric with Mod Podge

Mod Podge is the Swiss Army knife of fabric glues. You know it from my coating posts. In this context, I have already tested it in detail.

It is water-based and remains flexible even after drying.

What can you glue with Mod Podge?

Mod Podge is really crazy stuff. You can use it, for example, to glue fabric to wood or leather. To decorate cabinets or chairs with your favorite fabric. You can use it on the back of fabrics before you plot or cut them out to prevent the edges from fraying. You can use it for appliqués. You can use it to make fabrics wipe-clean and water-repellent (I use Mod Podge for my Chucks!).

How do you apply Mod Podge?

Simply apply a thin layer with a brush to the fabric or the surface to be glued. Glue the fabric on. And if desired, apply another layer of Mod Podge.

I order my Mod Podge here.^*

Did this post help you?

Then leave a comment – I look forward to it :)

Happy simple sewing, your Sabine

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