Have you ever wanted to redesign your clothes and add interesting details or embroidery?

Or maybe you wanted to stitch something on your favorite T-Shirt. With proper glue, you can certainly do that.

Fabric glue is what you want, and I’ll tell you about it in this article.

I’ll also talk about washing fabric glue off your clothes. Washing the glue off will affect the fabric in various ways, depending on the glue you’re using.

It would help if you only washed it off after it has dried and cured. I recommend putting the fabric into a washing machine to remove the glue fully.

Keep reading for more information on washing fabric glue!

How Does Fabric Glue Work?

Fabric glue works just like any other glue. Put some glue on your materials, align them, and clamp them down.

First, you want to ensure the textiles you’re using are clean. Then, you want to decide on the gluing job you want to do – short-term or long-term.

Then, mark the materials, so you know where to apply the glue. Then, apply the glue and clamp the materials for 2-3 hours without moving them.

You’ll want to avoid washing the clothes for a few days to ensure that the bond has been set and cured properly.

You should consider the following when working with fabric glue:

• Check the glue instructions and see if you need to do something specific
• Make sure the material is clean, so the debris doesn’t interfere with the glue
• The fabric should not be folded or stretched either
• I recommend washing the fabric before starting with your project. This way, it’ll shrink less.

That’s it. Fabric glue is very easy to use, and you should have no problems if you follow the instructions closely!

Check out my guide on the best glues for felt for more specific tips.

Can You Wash Fabric Glue?

Assuming you only want to clean your fabric after using glue, you should know that some fabric adhesives shouldn’t be washed.

For instance, temporary fabric glues will be thoroughly washed once you put the fabric in a washing machine. You may not like it, but that’s how things are.

You should use permanent fabric glue if you need a strong and durable hold. This adhesive won’t wash off if you put the clothes in the washing machine.

Moreover, permanent fabric glue is very strong and durable. If you’re using double-sided tape, you should have both temporary and permanent types because you’ll use them constantly.

Temporary Glue

This adhesive is soluble and will be washed in the machine without too much trouble.

You should use temporary glue for one-time applications or applications that will be moved constantly.

I recommend temporary glue for small-scale applications, like when you need to join two fabrics and stitch them together.

Permanent Glue

This adhesive is not soluble in water, so that it won’t come off in the washing machine. It’ll retain its adhesive power even when the fabric is wet.

Though, specific types of permanent glue may not be washable, depending on their components.

You should use this adhesive for costumes, clothing repairs, and long-term designs.

Permanent fabric glue is specially designed to last longer than temporary glue.

Fortunately, its versatility allows you to work on various projects such as textile repairs, embellishments or adornments, fraying prevention, and fixing dangling threads.

Make no mistake, though. Permanent glue will not last forever, despite its name.

Eventually, it’ll wear off and deteriorate depending on temperature, humidity, etc. One of the best things about fabric glue is that it can replace stitching wonderfully.

Liquid fabric glue and spray adhesive are two types of waterproof fabric glue if you’re interested in long-term resilience.

Will Glitter Stick on Clothes After Washing?

Everyone knows that glitter is tough to deal with. If you wash the clothing article, will the glitter still be there after you take it out of the washing machine?

Using fabric glue, you should have no problems keeping the glitter on your clothes instead of in the washing machine.

What Are the Best Alternatives to Fabric Glue?

If you’re not keen on using glue to redesign your clothes, there are other ways you can do it:

Fusible Webbing

Fusible webbing is a great way of joining two pieces of fabric without using glue or without sewing.

You place a thin layer of webbing between the two fabrics and then heat them with an iron.

When the webbing melts, the two fabrics bond together. This is a great way of fusing two fabrics without stitching or seaming them.

If you’re not a great stitcher and you could make mistakes, then using fusible webbing is a much better solution.

Sewing

Nothing beats sewing when it comes to bonding two fabrics together. But you need to know how to do it first.

This durable technique ensures your fabrics stay bonded for a long time. Of course, it may not always work, especially if you’re not adept at doing it.

Using non-traditional materials like foam or glitter is another reason why it might fail.

Other Adhesives

Fabric glue isn’t the only glue you can use to bond fabrics. Gorilla Glue, hot glue, and tacky glue are great solutions if you’re out of fabric glue.

Of course, they may not last as long as fabric glue and may wash out in the machine.

But that’s the price you’re paying for not using a specific type of fabric glue.

Wrap Up

Fabric glue is a great substitute for a needle and thread. Traditional sewing may not be for you; glue could be a better option in this case.

But, as always, you should remember to use the right type of glue for every application.

While you can substitute fabric glue with other types of glue for specific applications, it’s not always a good idea.

And sometimes, sewing is your best option!