Sometimes you wish you had the time to make or repair any sewing tasks. Now you start to consider using fabric adhesive rather than sewing, assuming that is even possible.
When you need your project finished quickly and don’t have the patience for such a drawn-out procedure, fabric glue is an excellent substitute for stitching. Place the fabric on one side, then use another piece of fabric to adhere to the glue.
When stitching is impossible and you need to finish your job quickly, this is the ideal substitute. But if you want a project that looks good and lasts, you’ll still need to do some handiwork. Fabric glue makes it simple to sew quilting materials together without pins, and the seams are stronger than ever. This versatile adhesive also has a ton of additional uses, such as basting.
Furthermore, using fabric adhesive is a great way to add decorations like appliques and rhinestones. Additionally, it can be used to secure bulky objects like shoes together. There are two varieties of fabric glue available: one can only be used temporarily, while the other can be glued to your clothing for an extended period without fretting about it coming off.
For quick fixes when you don’t have the luxury of time or patience to sew, use fabric glue. However, just because you may avoid sewing altogether doesn’t mean fabric glue is the ideal substitute for all sewing-related problems.
Although fabric glues have advanced significantly over time, many still have a propensity to produce stiff “seams,” which are basically glue tracks where your cloth adheres. Some of them can also only hold up for a few washes. This indicates there is no absolute substitute for sewing.
How Does Fabric Glue Work?
The excellent thing about fabric glue is that it functions exactly like any other adhesive ever created. Before applying the glue, you must align your parts. Even though there are a few additional procedures between those two, using this adhesive is quite straightforward.
The fabrics you want to glue together must be clean if you want to achieve good results. Next, you must choose whether this glue job is temporary or permanent. Once you’ve made your choice, mark the fabrics so you know exactly where to apply the glue.
Then, make sure you have protection so you do not attach the incorrect portion of the cloth, as this could cause another problem that needs to be resolved before continuing. You can apply the glue once you’re ready.
Simply apply hard pressure with something heavy and wait for the glue to dry for 3 to 6 hours, as directed by the directions. To ensure the binding is strong, give the item of clothing a few days before washing it.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Fabric Glue?
Fabric glues do provide a quick fix for small alterations to clothes or clothing-related items. For instance, if you don’t know how to sew, fabric glue is a wonderful technique to hem pants or a skirt. Imperceptible seams, such as those under the underarm of your t-shirt, can also be quickly fixed.
Fabric glue is also another fantastic tool for adjusting fabrics used for home decor. A bead of fabric glue is an easy technique to quickly fix an overly long curtain or bedspread. It is also a great method for appliqué personalization.
What Are The Drawbacks Of Using Fabric Glue?
Avoid using fabric glue on apparel or appliqued items intended for young children or infants under the age of three or four.
For people who like to put things in their mouths, accidentally picking at the edges and pulling the appliqué off could lead to strangulation danger. They shouldn’t be allowed to lick the adhesive product either.
If you don’t factor in the time it takes for the glue to dry, using fabric glue rather than just sewing looks like a speedy remedy. However, the whole drying time of fabric glue is up to 48 hours. Most fabric glues take four to six hours to settle, but after 48 hours they are water-safe.
To be safe, you should give your glue extra time to dry than you normally would, which is a disadvantage, as it might take more than the expected duration.
A glued product’s seam may not dry properly if you wear it or hang it, which will change how it looks. On a curtain hem, that might not be a big deal, but it can significantly alter the appearance of your apparel.
How Does Fabric Glue Dry?
Like any other adhesive you have ever tried, fabric glue dries similarly. It requires effort, pressure, and patience. When applying fabric glue and waiting for it to dry, there are two important steps.
Making sure there are no flue drops beyond the region that need to be bonded together is the first important step. If the object bonded to it doesn’t come off easily, the additional glue may produce a mess, discolor, or shred the fabric. Stay within the lines, because your sewing project already presents you with enough difficulties.
Applying just the appropriate amount of pressure is the second essential. It will require enough weight to exert hard pressure after spreading the glue evenly and fusing the textiles together for the glue to adhere. Once that is finished, all that is required is a little patience while you wait for the drying process to be completed.
Is Fabric Glue Permanent?
No, and yes. The fabric adhesive comes in two varieties. The first kind is an extremely long-lasting kind called “permanent.” If the apparel is properly cared for, you could argue it will last forever. These types of fabric glue are either waterproof or water-resistant. These qualities prevent the clothes from disintegrating during intense rainstorms or washing. Permanent connections are typically strong and last forever.
The temporary version of fabric glue is the alternative. This is effective for holding clothes in place while you get your needle and thread ready, or for stitching techniques that don’t require sewing. The temporary fabric glue connection is not strong.
The glue does come off in the washer and shouldn’t leave any residue. This is advantageous, because even if some drips accidentally land in the wrong spot, the glue shouldn’t discolor your materials.
What sort of glue you should use depends on your circumstances. Of course, either glue can be used for special occasion costumes. Which one you choose is entirely up to you.
Can You Hot Glue Fabric Instead Of Sewing?
You can, but some claim that doing so is overkill and a waste of time when working with thin textiles. When working with heavier materials like leather, canvas, or tarp, you should postpone using your glue gun for optimal results.
Those textiles require significant adhesive, which permanent fabric glue might not deliver. Local fabric stores likely carry smaller, simpler styles that are easier to handle. Since they are simpler to manage and heat up, these would be preferable.
The only issue you might have is that, despite your best efforts to prevent it, this kind of glue could lead to a mess.
How Can I Use Fabric Glue?
While using fabric glue is simple and straightforward, it can also be complicated when used incorrectly. Below are some tips that can be useful when using fabric glue.
- When attaching embellishments that would take too long to sew, fabric glue works best.
- Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before purchasing any fabric glue. Some fabric adhesives are only effective with synthetic materials.
- Make sure your fabric is dry and thoroughly clean textiles.it is also important to press cotton or other natural textiles.
- Use thicker fabric glue when sewing natural fibers together. The additional thickness will prevent the cloth from collecting and tangling.
- Never use hot glue in place of fabric glue. When removing the bonded “seam,” be careful not to burn your fingertips. Hot glue hardens into globs even if you manage to keep your fingertips from getting burned.
- Always use permanent fabric glue if you want a lasting fix. For projects that you might need to modify again, like letting out a seam or hem later, temporary fabric glues are also available for purchase.
- You may always add a little acetone to the glue to reduce its viscosity if you need a thinner adhesive. This will make the glue flow more quickly. The finest textiles you wish to bond together will work best with this. At addition, the thicker glue keeps the glue in the desired location.
- For those thin textiles that defy staying put, temporary glue is ideal. There are numerous techniques to remove the glue if you are unable to wash the cloth without damaging the garment, etc.
Conclusion
Fabric glue is undoubtedly a useful product to have in your sewing area, even though it cannot completely replace sewing.
You’ll benefit from it when the project contains tricky-to-sew parts or when the cloth won’t stay put.