If you are sewing clothes or doing any other sewing projects, you may have noticed that sometimes you reach a point where you cannot simply use the sewing machine or needle to make a stitch. Some open seams need to be closed but you may not want to sew a stitch or use a needle for this purpose.
Apart from this, some people want to join different small pieces of fabric or mend two different items to make a single decorative piece and all this cannot be always done using a sewing machine.
This is the time when people search for alternatives and sewing glue would always come on top in Google search results. Although it’s a great thing being used all around the world, you may be confused regarding how strong is sewing glue
. Well, this article will give you all the answers you want while telling you when and where sewing glue should be used in sewing projects. In the end, we will also mention some alternatives to sewing glue as well as important tips to make your sewing glue last longer.
How strong is sewing glue?
The answer to this question depends on various factors mainly including the brand of the glue, amount of glue, kind of sewing project, fabric type, and what are you using the glue for. Sewing glues of some major brands are strong enough to hold the joint firmly if used for their specified purposes.
We can say that if you are using sewing glue to join two items or small tears, sewing glue would be fine but if you want to glue open seams in a quilt, sewing glue may not bring as much strength as a sewing stitch. So, it mainly depends on factors, situations, and conditions in which you are using sewing glue instead of the product itself.
Is fabric glue as strong as sewing?
No doubt fabric glue is strong but if compared to actual sewing stitches, glue is good to be used for fabric but it will not form a bond as strong as the actual sewing stitches.
Fabric glue is too strong if used for its specified purposes because it is designed and composed to bring the best for your sewing projects such as attaching embellishments, fixing hems, fixing pockets, and mending tears.
This is the reason that experts recommend only using sewing glues where a bit less strength is required such as decorative items or if you need maximum strength, durability, and longevity, you should buy a sewing glue from a high-quality brand.
Is sewing glue better than hot glue?
Both sewing glue and hot glue can be used to form bonds for fabrics especially when it comes to adding different types of adornments, items, embellishments, and tears into a fabric.
As far as comparison is concerned, sewing glue is preferred because it is safe for fabrics while hot glue can affect fabric color while sometimes may even damage the fibers as well.
What is sewing glue used for?
Although sewing glue can be used in various sewing projects for different kinds of activities, it is mainly used to repair fabric parts such as pockets, collars, seams, etc. It is best suitable to be used for items or fabrics that will stretch, bend, flex, or change position frequently.
Another major use of sewing glue is in decorative pieces as people use it to mend two parts or different tears together so that it can become a single piece and can be adorned in a room. Some of the most common fabrics and items where sewing glue is used include:
- Vinyl seats
- Cushions
- Clothing
- Fasten trims
- Faten beads
- Repairing lace
- Mending tears
- Tarps
- Repairing leathers
- Outdoor gears
How to use sewing glue?
First thing is that applying sewing glue is a lot easier than sewing a stitch especially if you don’t know much about sewing and all you need is to repair your fabric quickly and easily. Below are the steps briefly described to apply the sewing glue and get the best bond without making any errors.
- Start by cleaning the fabric while making sure that there is no dirt or residue on it. This is necessary as the impurities can reduce the glue’s strength and may not form a strong bond.
- Test sewing glue on a hidden area to verify that it doesn’t affect the color, fabric, and stitch.
- Lay down the fabric flat and put pins so that the fabric parts remain in place.
- Apply the glue right on the spot.
- Use a cardboard or a scraper to evenly apply the glue while making the layers thin.
- Once the glue is applied don’t move the fabric in any way.
- Let the fabric dry for at least 2-4 hours while a whole night is a better option.
Does fabric glue last in the wash?
It depends on the brand, but most fabric glues are safe to wash once they have been dried completely. It is not that some fabric glues will be removed when washed but they can catch dirt and debris.
Therefore, go for a high-quality brand and look at the instruction label and choose one that says “Washable”. Such fabric glues will stay just perfect even after multiple wash cycles and you cannot remove them even if you use heavy-duty detergent, soap, and water.
Also, keep this thing in mind that only permanent fabric glues will stay firm even if you wash them in a machine. However, temporary fabric glues that are used for small periods can be removed completely while washing.
Can sewing glue be ironed?
You can iron sewing glue but it is always a good idea to place an additional fabric as a middle layer between iron and glue as it will reduce the chances of the glue bond getting affected by the iron heat. The thing is that the sewing glue bond will not wipe off immediately if ironed but there are chances. So, it is better to be safe instead of facing any bad outcomes.
Does sewing glue have flexibility when dried?
Yes, sewing glue does have flexibility even if it is dried completely. It stays flexible all the time and you can bend, stretch, or change the position of your fabric just as you want. This was one of the biggest factors that differentiate sewing glue from any other alternatives used for mending fabric in the early days of advancement.
How much time does sewing glue take to dry?
Sewing glue doesn’t usually take more than 2-4 hours to dry as it is termed to be “fast drying” but you need to do the process properly.
- The very first thing is to lay down the fabric flat on an even surface.
- Put pins, clasps, or even tapes if needed to keep the fabric in place before and after applying sewing glue.
- Apply the sewing glue and let the fabric air dry for about 2-4 hours.
- You may expose heat to a minimum extent as it will speed up the drying process while forming a more solid bond.
- Although this time is enough, you may give it some extra hours for better results and satisfaction.
Does heat help in drying sewing glue?
Yes, heat does help in quick drying sewing glue and it forms an even better and stronger bond than regular drying. You can use different methods such as blowing hot air from a blower or placing a heat lamp near the fabric.
You may even put it with mild heat settings in the dryer but keeping the fabric in shape could be an issue in this method. Applying a thin coat can also help sewing glue to dry up fast.
Strongest sewing glues:
As soon as you step into the market, you will see plenty of options to choose from where some are better than others. Below are some sewing glues that are better in different aspects from others where strength is the main factor.
- Elmer’s E431 Craft Bond Fabric Glue
- Beacon Adhesives Fabri
- Gorilla Waterproof Fabric Glue
- Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue, and Finish
- Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Adhesive
- Therm O Web Spray N Bond Basting Adhesive
- Beacon Fabri-Fix Fabric Glue Bottle
- Sewline Fabric Glue Pen
- Dritz Original Liquid Stitch
- Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive
Alternatives to sewing glue:
Below is a list of some alternatives in case you don’t have or don’t want to use sewing glue on your fabric. Although these are good alternatives, you should choose the one that suits the best for your sewing project, requirements, and type of fabric.
- Fusible Hem Tape
- Fusible Web
- Fabric Glue Stick
- Hot Glue
- Velcro
- Staples
- Shoe glue
- Epoxy
- Fusible adhesive
- DIY Fabric Glue
Tips to make sewing glue last long:
- Take a look at different options and choose the best suitable sewing glue for your intended fabric.
- Always use pins, clips, clasps, or tape to keep the fabric in place until the glue is cured.
- Before applying glue, ensure that the fabric is free of dirt and residues.
- Apply thin layers as they will be easy and quick to cure.
- Before you start shaking or moving the fabric, give proper time to sewing glue so that it can dry completely.
- Although sewing glue can withstand washing, it is always better to protect that area because the more you protect it from water, the longer it will stay firm on your fabric.
FAQs:
Is liquid stitch the same as sewing glue?
Kind of. Liquid stitch or sewing glue has the same purposes and almost has the same concept as well. Both are adhesives used to repair or mend two different tears or parts of fabrics quickly.
You don’t have to hesitate if you have one and not the other because either of these two products can fulfill the requirements to mend fabrics and keep on with your sewing activities.
Does sewing glue work on jeans?
Yes, sewing glue can also be used on jeans and it works great. You only need to buy glue of extremely high quality because jeans fabric is a bit stiff and requires something powerful to hold the bond properly.
You may look for a sewing glue, specially manufactured for jeans, or use one that is specified to be used for leather fabric. As both these fabrics relate to a certain extent, using sewing glue made for leather on jeans will bring good results.
