Fabric and wood combinations aren’t uncommon at all. Arts and Crafts projects and furniture are where we most often see this combination.

You need to repair them when they break, but this means gluing the fabric to wood. This article will give you the eight best types of glue for fabric to wood.

Not all glues are good at this. Some won’t even work on fabric. This guide will tell you what adhesives are ideal for the fabric to wood, and you’ll find out more about the repair process.

Below, you’ll find a list of the best adhesives for the fabric to wood!

Best Glues for Fabric to Wood

Read below my recommendations for the best glue for fabric to wood.

1. Mod Podge CS11302 Waterbase Sealer

Look no further than Mod Pudge if you want a comprehensive adhesive that works on fabric-to-fabric, fabric-to-wood, or wood-to-wood.

Being made in the USA, its high quality is almost guaranteed, as well.

It’s a non-toxic adhesive that dries quickly and clearly, with an easy cleanup process that won’t inconvenience you too much.

Because it dries in 15 minutes tops, you can apply more coats and then paint over it or sand it down.

There’s no applicator in the bottle. Instead, you’ll need a brush or a sponge to use the adhesive. Even if you make a mess, use water and soap to clean things up.

This product is one of the best fabric glue options around.

Mod Podge CS11302 also works as a glue for leather to metal.

2. 3M Super 77 Multipurpose Permanent Spray Adhesive

If you’re into arts and crafts, this is the perfect adhesive for the job. It can bond wood, fabric, beads, metal, cardboards, plastic, and many more.

Because it comes as a bottle spray, the adhesive is incredibly easy to apply, and there’s no clamping required.

You won’t make a mess if you’re careful, but be careful not to ignite the adhesive. Unfortunately, it’s highly flammable.

As it forms an incredible bond, the adhesive will dry in about 30 seconds, so you don’t have too much time to rectify mistakes.

The formula is quite thick, fortunately. So, it won’t soak into the fabric when you try sticking it to wood.

Once it dries completely, 3M Super 77 Multipurpose Permanent Spray Adhesive has industrial-grade tensile strength.

3. Aleenes All Purpose Tacky Adhesive Spray

Aleenes glues have always pleasantly surprised me. This is a top-of-the-line glue thanks to its multipurpose traits – it can bond felt, fabric, wood, plastic, and more. It’s also mess-free and easy to apply, thanks to the spray model.

It dries fast and clearly, and the high tack formula offers a thick and sticky adhesive that adheres to most surfaces instantly.

In 60 seconds, it’ll dry completely and form a high-impact bond with high tensile strength.

Aleenes All Purpose Tacky Adhesive Spray is resistant to vibrations, impacts, and other hazards.

Aleenes All Purpose Tacky Adhesive Spray can also be used as glue for shoes.

4. Elmer’s Glue-All Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue

I recommend Elmer’s Liquid Glue for small projects that don’t require much work. This adhesive bonds greatly on fabric and wood and dries very quickly.

It’s an excellent all-purpose glue that can be applied easily and efficiently.

Within a few minutes, it’ll dry up and make your arts and crafts project complete.

Even if you need to repair something, Elmer’s Glue-All Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue can easily help you do it.

5. Gorilla Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive

Gorilla glues need no introduction. They’re that practical and quality-made.

This particular one is a super glue that bonds things instantly, including fabric and wood. It’s easy to use, thanks to the improved high-quality nozzle that doesn’t make a mess.

Moreover, it’s inexpensive compared to most other superglues on the market. It’s also much better than other low-quality superglues out there.

Though, the bonding strength largely depends on the Ambiental temperature.

Gorilla Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive doesn’t have the highest heat resistance, in other words.

Gorilla Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive can be used as glue for rhinestones on fabric.

6. Dritz 401 Fabric Glue Stick

The water-soluble Dritz Fabric Glue Stick is perfect for arts and crafts projects. Thanks to its high tensile strength and nozzle design, it makes for a great bonding agent.

The nozzle design, in particular, is very helpful during the application.

Despite this, the adhesive is not very versatile because it doesn’t work on all materials. For fabric and wood, though, Dritz 401 Fabric Glue Stick is one of the best you’ll find on the market.

It improves stitching accuracy, and it won’t gum the needle either. In other words, you’ll be sewing much faster with this glue on hand.

7. Permatex Fabric Repair Kit 25247

Fabric repairs are notoriously difficult to pull off. But with Permatex Fabric Repair Kit 25247, it becomes easy enough for anyone to do.

That’s because the kit is multipurpose and can also be used for heavy upholstery.

There are multiple compound cups in the kit, which will match the bonding agent’s color with the upholstery’s color.

Many bonding agents and varnishes are included, and most importantly, the kit is inexpensive.

While hard to apply accurately, the varnishing agents will blend in the fabric and make the adhesive appear invisible.

8. Amazing GOOP 150011 Glue

GOOP adhesives have caught on quite quickly, thanks to their versatility. Like Gorilla, GOOP glues work on most materials, including leather, rubber, metal, clay, fabric, wood, and more.

This model is waterproof, flexible, and very sturdy. Once the adhesive dries, it’ll form a super strong bond that will last a long while.

While it’s not good for heavy repairs due to insufficient tensile strength, small repairs will do just fine.

Amazing GOOP 150011 is also a good option for glue for felt.

Buying Guide for Fabric-to-Wood Glues

Do you need special glue for fabric to wood? Won’t a regular one work just as fine? No, they won’t.

The bonding strength and texture required to bond fabric to wood are specific requirements you won’t find in most types of glue.

It’s also important what you want to repair. Is it something light and inexpensive that doesn’t require an expensive adhesive? Or are you repairing your car seat? That’s when you’ll need high-end adhesives with multifunctionality!

You must be careful if you want to glue fabric to the wood properly. Making a mistake halfway will lead to ineffective results.

I recommend reading the adhesive instructions and following them to the letter. You could always use a glue gun to make things easier, though.

The drying speed is also very important when buying glue for fabric to wood. If you only want to repair basic stuff like household accessories, a fast-drying glue will do.

But if you want to repair more complex stuff, look for a stickier adhesive.

If the glue is too runny, it usually won’t stick as hard. But when the glue is thick, the tensile strength is usually higher.

Not recommended glues include normal gorilla glue, hot glue, tacky glue, craft glue, wood glue, PVA glue, super glue, gorilla wood glue, and white glue.

Also, check out my guide on the best glues for wood for further tips.

How to Clean Glue from Fabric

Making a mess is to be expected when gluing fabric to wood. If you applied too much glue and the fabrics are now stained, here’s what you can do:

• Clean the fabric using cold water after the glue dries
• soak the fabric in boiling water for a minute
• peel the glue from the fabric

This will work on most wood glues, but if the adhesive still doesn’t come off, you may want to contact the manufacturer for more information.

The situation is even easier if you’ve got glue on your hands. Just soak your hands in hot water for a few minutes, and then apply an acetone base like a nail polish remover.

Then, wait a few minutes and try to scrape the glue off.

Wrap Up

It’s never hard to glue fabric to wood, but only if you work with the best tools. High-tier adhesives will do a great job, but they’re not always required if you’re working on small projects.

The more complex the repair, the higher the tensile strength of the glue – that’s what I rely on when repairing stuff.

Either way, Mod Podge CS11302 Waterbase Sealer is my top recommendation for the fabric to wood!