Felt is a versatile fabric, great for all sorts of DYI projects. The problem is that not all types of glue work to bind this material.

Moreover, not all types of felt are created equal, so you’ll have to keep that in mind when choosing the perfect glue.

Working with textiles can be either the easiest thing or a big hassle. All the difference comes from using the right products for your projects.

In this article, I’ll help you do exactly that. I’ll give you a detailed description of the best felt glues you can buy, as well as extra tips on glues for felt to other materials.

Keep reading for more information on similar glues suitable for all sorts of felt fabrics and how to glue felt.

Suitable Glues for Felt

Felt can vary greatly depending on its fabrication and the materials used in the process. Some felt textiles are stiff and resistant to mechanical tension, while others are soft and easy to tear.

Depending on these factors, the type of glue best suited for your felt textiles might change. But, as a general rule, these are some options to consider.

Fabric Glue

Fabric glue is an obvious first choice because it works great to bond any two types of fabrics together, including felt.

This type of glue is a great fast alternative to sewing, and it can be used to create temporary or permanent bonds.

Fabric Glue works by laminating the porous surfaces it comes into contact with, forming a powerful yet flexible bond.

Always look for water-proof or washer-safe fabric glue for strong, long-lasting results.

Super Glue

Super glue is a strong, fast-acting adhesive. It works well for many types of materials, including fabrics like felt.

It can also be used to bind felt to other fabrics and even other materials. Most super glues dry clear and are also paintable and easy to sand.

A downside to super glue is its short working time. This glue binds anything nearly instantly. You don’t have much room for error when working with this adhesive.

This glue might also not be a good choice for children. Most super glues have a potent odor and might cause eye irritation if not handled properly.

Tacky Glue

This easy-to-use, non-toxic glue is perfect for any sort of arts and crafts or repair project. Thanks to its permanent and flexible hold, tacky glue works great for bonding fabrics like felt, leather, canvas, and more.

Check out my guides on the best glues for canvas for more info on the above.

The flexible hold of tacky glue also works on rigid materials like wood, cardboard, plastic, and many others.

This type of glue dries almost instantly when applied, and depending on the formulation; it can be completely clear.

Hot Glue

Hot glue is easy to apply and offers an extremely powerful and long-lasting hold. It can be used on porous and non-porous surfaces and is even great for filling in chips and gaps.

You can use hot glue for most types of felt and many other fabrics and materials.

One thing worth noting is that hot glue is a thermoplastic adhesive. When applied, it can melt heat-sensitive materials such as plastics.

Because craft-felt and eco-friendly felt are made from recycled plastics, hot glue might not be the best option when working with these materials.

Adhesives not recommended to glue felt include PVA glue, Mod Podge, craft glue, regular gorilla glue, regular fabric adhesive, wood glue, permanent glue, and white glue.

Best 6 Glues for Felt

Below you will find my recommendations for the best glue for felt.

1. Elmer’s Craft Bond Tacky Glue

This top pick glue is great for any type of arts and crafts project. It’s suitable for felt, fabric, paper, glitter, and many other flexible materials.

Elmer’s Craft Bond Tacky Glue is also child-safe, non-toxic, acid-free, and washer-safe.

The bottle comes with a built-in, adjustable application tip for easy use. The thick, no-run formula makes the glue easy to control and prevents the product from soaking through textile materials.

Once dry, the glue has a nice, flexible hold and remains clear.

2. Artellius Full-Size Hot Glue Gun Sticks

If you prefer working with a glue gun, then the Artellius glue sticks are a great economical choice.

This glue comes in 150-piece resealable packs for a much lower price than other options on the market! Each stick is 4’’ long and measures .43 in diameter.

Besides the huge quantity of glue you get in this value-pack, you’ll be pleased to learn that just a little bit of product can last you for a long time.

That’s because this glue is easy to apply and has a very powerful hold.

Artellius glue melts quickly, and the sticks are compatible with low, high, and dual-temperature glue guns. The flow is smooth and easy to control, even in the lowest temperature setting.

Shortly after being applied, the glue dries clear and forms powerful, long-lasting, flexible bonds.

The Artellius glue sticks work best for porous surfaces, a great match for bonding felt, foam, fabric, and certain types of plastic.

You can thus use it for a lot of different DYI projects or basic household repairs. Keep in mind that this glue is not safe for children without supervision.

3. Aleene’s Tack-It Over & Over Liquid Glue

This tacky glue works great for arts and crafts projects where you need a gentle, temporary hold.

Aleene’s Tack-It Over & Over Liquid Glue is suitable for light materials such as thin felt textiles, paper, cardboard, and other soft fabrics.

Thanks to the resealable tip, the product runs easily and allows for a simple application. Unlike other quick-drying, strong-hold glues, this tacky glue can do things at your own pace.

This glue’s light hold allows multiple transfers for each application.

This glue dries sticky and clear, creating a subtle, elegant result. Aleene’s liquid glue is also great if you’re sensitive to harsh chemicals.

This product is non-toxic and acid-free.

4. Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue

Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue is a versatile, non-toxic adhesive with an interesting bottle design. This glue comes in a recipient with two tips.

The thin pen-tip is for light, precise application. The broad tip is great for quick, complete coverage over broad areas.

This thin, liquid glue goes on white and dries completely clear. You can use it to form two-way bonds. For a repositionable bond, apply glue over the desired areas and wait until the product is completely dry (around 2-3 minutes).

Then, connect the materials you want to bond and reposition them as desired.

For a strong, permanent bond, apply the product and clamp the materials together while the glue is still wet.

The Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue works on various materials given its light consistency, gentle formula, and stronghold.

5. Yasutomo Nori Paste

Yasutomo Nori Paste is a non-toxic, all-natural glue alternative suitable for all light materials, including felt, paper, and certain plastics.

This starch-based formula is water-dilutable and slow-drying, allowing for material repositioning and transfer when wet.

The glue dries clear and gives a nice, subtle look to any DYI project. The product is also perfectly safe for children.

6. Gutermann HT2 Glue

Last but not least on this list, we have the Gutermann HT2 Glue. This glue is specially formulated to work on fabrics.

It’s suitable for bonding felt to felt and many other textiles. It also works on leather, fleece, metal, and PVC.

One exception is polystyrene, and the instructions advise against using this product on this material.

This liquid glue is easy to apply, thanks to the precision tip. Drying takes up to 45 minutes, allowing easy corrections and repositioning.

Once dry, the glue is completely clear and washer-safe.

Please note that this glue contains sensitizing substances. These could cause eye irritation, dry skin, dizziness, and allergic reactions.

Glue Buying Guide for Felt

You might be a little confused about what glue to purchase with so many options. It’s better to research before rushing to buy the first product you see.

After all, even if you buy the best-rated glue on the market, it might not be the perfect match for your materials.

You need to make an informed choice, and the best way to do that is to keep a mental list of what to look for.

I will list some of the most important considerations when buying glue for felt. Keeping these in mind makes choosing the right product much easier.

Felt Glue Features

Depending on your needs, the glue you buy doesn’t have to meet all these requirements. However, a good felt glue will check most of these boxes.

Fast Curing Time

This is a matter of personal preference. Both fast-drying and slow-drying glues can offer great results.

If you don’t like waiting, or don’t have the time for manual clamping, opt for a fast-drying hot glue or super glue. Fabric glue and tacky glue generally have longer drying times.

Clear Drying

A white-drying glue or even a tinted glue only works for similar-colored materials. But a clear-drying glue is highly versatile.

Many clear-drying types of glue come out white before drying. But not all glues are like that. Make sure the product specifies “dries clear” on the package.

Suitable Viscosity

Many felt glues come in a liquid formula, which is great for impermeable fabrics. However, liquid, runny glues might ruin thin, porous types of felt.

Opt for thicker options like tacky glue or hot glue to prevent the felt from soaking up the adhesive. Avoid fabric glue and super glue if you’re working with thin materials.

Non-toxic

Choosing non-toxic glue is important if you plan to use the glue around children or house pets. Some glues contain harsh, sensitizing agents that can cause irritations and allergic reactions.

Non-toxic glues also have milder odors.

Material Compatibility

Not all types of felt are created equal. Some types of felt, such as 100% wool felt and blended wool felt, are more resistant to high temperatures and harsh chemicals.

Other types of felt are heat-sensitive and more easily breakable. That’s the case for felt made from plastic materials, such as eco-friendly felt and craft felt.

Avoid hot glue and contact cement glues if you use felt from synthetic materials such as polyester.

Glues to Bond Felt to Other Materials

Finding the perfect adhesive to bond felt to felt isn’t difficult once you know what to look for. But if you want to take on a more ambitious project, you’ll probably want to include more materials.

In this case, you’ll have to find glues that are suitable for felt, as well as other surfaces.

Felt to Plastic

For felt to plastic, the safest options include tacky glue and strong-hold super glue. These glues come in both liquid and thick consistencies, suitable for all types of felt and plastic.

You can also use hot glue for thick, natural felt and tough plastics, provided the plastic isn’t heat-sensitive.

Felt to Metal

Metal isn’t a porous material. As a result, certain adhesives that work on wood or fabric might not work on metal. For the best result, consider tacky, super, or hot glue.

Felt to Wood

For felt to wood, you can use any strong-bond, multi-purpose glue. Glues with a flexible hold are great for this material combo.

It might be tempting to use a thin glue designed for dissimilar surfaces. After all, wood is a porous material.

But you don’t need such a deep-setting glue to bond felt to wood. The glue that’s too liquid and runny might soak into the felt, creating a stiff, crust-like finish.

Wrap Up

Working with felt textiles can be frustrating when your project doesn’t go according to plan. Sometimes, the materials won’t stick together, or you’ll end up with a soggy, tacky pile of fabric.

On the flip side, once you find the perfect adhesive, you can take your crafts to the next level.

Good glue makes all the difference. Hopefully, you found this article informative and helpful!

Following the tips listed here, your next supply shopping trip should be much easier.