To glue felt to wood requires fewer steps than you may think. You can get this project done in just 5 steps, which are the following:

1. Having the felt and wood ready for use
2. Measuring and sizing the felt to fit the wood surface
3. Applying the glue
4. Waiting out the dry and cure time 
5. Trimming any excess felt

For this project, remember that a lower-quality felt material may stretch as you apply glue to it. You may also notice a fade in its color if it gets exposed to light. 

Choose a higher quality brand to avoid the felt from stretching out too much. 

You can also choose from various thickness options, so make sure you choose the right one for your project. 

Keep reading to find out which specific tools you need and which exact steps to take to glue felt to wood. 

What To Know Before You Glue Felt To Wood

Before you can glue the felt to wood, you need the necessary tools and materials. 

Here is what you will need:

• Felt 
• Wood 
• Glue 
• Measuring tape 
• Scissors 
• Sandpaper 
• Foam brush or paint brush(depending on the glue you use to help spread the adhesive)
• Removable tape if you are using a spray adhesive 

If the felt is bigger, measure the surface of the wood onto which the felt will be glued. Make marks where you need to cut, and cut the felt to the correct size. 

Here is what to keep in mind when you are selecting a glue for this project:

• Ease of use 
• Easy application 
• The visual finish 
  • Does it dry clear, or will it have a color? Will you be able to see this? If yes, will it influence the visual aesthetic of the project?

Do a dry test. 

After you have sized the felt, place it over the wood and double-check if they match the way they need to. 

If the felt won’t be glued inside of a box, for example, but will be glued as an outer layer, then you can also trim the felt after you have glued it to the wood and the curing time has passed. 

How To Glue Felt To Wood: A Step By Step Instruction

To glue felt to wood, these are the most commonly used adhesives:

• Spray adhesive 
  • Ideal to fat glue surfaces to other flat surfaces 
  • Dries clear 
  • Stays wet for up to 60 seconds so you can make adjustments if necessary 
  • Non-toxic 
  • Offers a permanent bond 
• Elmer’s Craftbond Tacky Glue
  • It doesn’t run
  • It offers a strong bond 
  • Dries clear 
  • It is water-resistant 
  • You can clean it easily with warm soapy water 
• Gorilla Gel Glue
  • Dries fast and clear
  • No run formulation 
  • A very strong bond
  • Versatile 
  • Designed for increased impact resistance 
  • Anti-clog formula 
• Hot Glue Sticks
  • Dries clear 
  • Dries fast 
  • It offers a strong bond  

Other adhesives that also work great are:

• Wet cement glue
• Craft PVA glue 
• Tacky glue 
• Super glue 

Here is how you can know which glue is best to glue felt to wood:

• Spray adhesive or contact cement for a large surface
• For small spots or fixes, you can use rubber cement, super glue, or hot glue gun even 

If you are working with a spray adhesive, use tape to cover the surfaces of the wood you wish to avoid getting glue on. Spray the glue on both surfaces. 

If you are using glue that is not in the spray format, follow these steps:

1. Prepare both surfaces – wipe them down to remove dust or debris with a clean cloth and isopropyl alcohol
2. Use sandpaper to rough up the surface of the wood to create a better adhesion for the glue
3. Clean the surface with a damp cloth to remove all dust
4. Wait for the wood surface to fully dry 
5. Apply the glue to both surfaces 
6. Use the paintbrush to apply and evenly spread the glue, fully covering the surface that needs to be glued. 
7. Align the two surfaces and press them together 
8. If there are any bumps in the felt, use your hands or a roller to smooth it out – be careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid causing the felt to stretch. 
9. Use tape or tools that will act as weights to keep the feet secured to the wood while the glue dries and cures 
10. Wait for the glue to fully dry and cure (this usually takes 24 hours)
11. If necessary, seal the edge of the felt using an adhesive or a sealant to prevent it from coming loose over time 

If you use rubber cement, wait for the glue to dry until it becomes tacky before you attach the felt to the wood. 

If that is the case, you can now trim any excess felt after the glue fully dries and cures.

Conclusion

If you are gluing felt to wood for the first time, be mindful of the type of felt you have. Some stretch more easily than others, especially when glued to another surface. 

The process is very simple. 

Once you have all the needed materials and tools, sized the felt, and prepared both surfaces, you can begin the gluing process. 

As you have discovered in this guide, there are several adhesives you can choose from. 

Choose one that is easy to work with and will offer you the strength you want. 

Before you put your project to function, wait for the glue to dry and cure fully. 

This will differ depending on the glue, so read the manufacturer’s instructions.