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Fabric glue to the rescue! Fix clothes and other fabrics and say goodbye to rips and tears.
Fabric glue: a multi-purpose DIY tool
Finding a tear in a favourite pair of jeans or much-loved shirt is a terrible feeling. Your first instinct might be to throw it away, accepting that it can never be worn again. But there is a solution: permanent fabric glue. You don’t even need any particular craft skills. It really is as simple as gluing it back together again!
Fabric glue is a liquid adhesive specially designed for fixing fabrics – think clothes, cushions, upholstery, umbrellas, curtains, and much more. Fabric glue is flexible, so it’s ideal for stretchy materials.
One of the best things about fabric glue is its versatility. Most fabric glues are multi-purpose, so you can use them to repair other materials such as wood, leather and plastic too. So, whenever you’ve got a rip, whether it’s in your clothes, a soft toy, or even camping gear, get out the fabric glue! You can make your favourite items last for years to come.
Using fabric glue for clothes
Clothes are easy to fix or hem with fabric adhesive, just follow these simple steps:
- Prewash the garment. Don’t use fabric softener.
- Apply the fabric glue. Squeeze out a thin line of adhesive on the garment and press. If necessary, you can hold it in place using tape or pins while you wait for the glue to set.
- Let it dry. Drying takes at least 2 to 4 hours. After 48 hours, the garment will be washable.
When you use fabric glue for clothes, make sure you work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves. You should also work on a clean surface, free from grease, oil, or any other substance that might stain.
Using fabric glue for jeans
Wondering whether to use fabric glue for denim? Unlike a torn shirt or dress, a pair of jeans might not seem so easy to fix, as denim is a relatively dense material, but rest assured, it can be repaired too. Here’s how to breathe new life into an old pair of jeans:
- Turn the jeans inside out. Place a piece of cardboard behind the rip. You can also use some masking tape to hold the cardboard in place.
- Outline the area. Use tailor’s chalk to outline the area where you’re going to use the fabric adhesive.
- Apply the fabric glue. Using a small brush, cover the outer edges of the areas you want to glue together. A fan brush is perfect for this job, as it’s neat and precise.
- Leave it to dry. If you’re using a new patch of denim material, place it over the glued area and wait for it to dry.
You can also use fabric glue for hemming jeans as a quick, temporary fix.
How to use fabric glue for any repair job
A strong fabric glue is the solution to just about any small repair job. It can also be used for craft projects, or any situation where you need to stick two pieces of material together. Here’s what to do:
- Apply fabric glue to the surface. You only need to use a small amount. If you’re attaching two pieces together, press the second piece against the first piece after applying the glue.
- Keep the pieces pressed together. You can use pins, tape, clamps or rubber bands.
- Wait for it to dry. Drying time varies, depending on which fabric adhesive you use. It should only take a few hours, but can take up to 24 hours to dry completely. Check product instructions if in doubt.
- Remove any excess glue later. If you end up spilling glue on the work surface, wait for it to dry and then remove it later with a sharp edge such as a razor blade.
Once you’ve used fabric glue, wait at least a week before washing the fabric.
Removing fabric glue
Accidentally spilled some fabric glue? Don’t worry, it’s easy to fix! Try one of the following methods.
- Use acetone. If the glue is still liquid, you can use acetone to remove the glue. Nail polish remover contains acetone, so try using a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover to gently dab the fabric. Avoid using acetone on delicate, dyed or coloured fabric.
- Use a flat-bladed knife. If the glue has hardened, leave the fabric to soak in cold water overnight. Then scrape off the glue using a knife.
If these methods don’t work, try dry cleaning. With repeated cleans, even the most stubborn stain should eventually disappear.