Stitching has come a long way in the last century or so, patching methods have also improved quite a lot. You can get the best glue for patches that offer hassle-free patching. While glue patching is easy, finding the right glue product for it is one heck of a task.
It gets really difficult to pick the glue solution among hundreds of options that will stay on the fabric and ensure that you don’t have to glue the patch again after the first wash. Our number one recommendation is Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive, however your specific needs may differ.
To make your search for best fabric glue for patches easy, we have researched, shortlisted, and reviewed 15 glue products from top manufacturers.
Jump Ahead To:
If you are in a hurry and don’t want to skim through the entire article, have a glimpse of 15 of the best fabric glue for patches here:
- Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive <<Best Overall
- Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue
- Amazing Goop 140211 3.7oz All Purpose Adhesive
- No Stitch Glue Bottles with a Heating Wand
- Secure Stitch Liquid Sewing Solution Kit
- Visbella Quick Bonding Fast Dry Sew Fabric Glue
- GEAR AID Seam Grip WP Waterproof Adhesive << Best for Camping Gear Patchwork
- Aleene’s 40666 Quick Dry Fusion Fabric Adhesive
- Beacon Fabri-Fix Fabric Glue
- Sue Daley Designs Appliqué Glue
- Fons & Porter 7766 Water Soluble Fabric Glue Stick
- Permatex 25247 Fabric Repair Kit
- Aleene’s Platinum Bond Super Fabric Adhesive
- SEWOR Quick Bonding Fast Dry Sew Fabric Glue
- Beacon Fabri-Tac 2oz Fabric Glue
Best Fabric Glue for Patches
Whether you are trying to repair a tent, your favorite work jeans, or work on heirloom applique quilts, there is a perfect fabric glue to suit your needs. Probably one glue will not fit every patching repair in the entirety. Read through our review and commentary to find the perfect glue for your project!
Instant strong repair for canvas and jeans is easy with the best fabric glue for patches
1. Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive– Best Overall
Bish’s Tear Mender has been a reliable name among fabric glues for decades. We think its Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive is perfect for all sorts of fabric patching for various reasons. To begin with, it has an instant bonding formula that strongly affixes a patch on fabric within three minutes.
Secondly, this Tear Mender glue cures in no time. Unlike many other fabric glues that take hours and hours to cure, this one is ready for washing in 15 minutes. The glue makes a long-lasting bond that is not just waterproof but also UV-resistant. You can also use this glue for leather patching with the same bonding strength.
- Comes in a handy 2oz bottle
- Boasts non-toxic natural latex formula
- A great bang for the buck
Our rating: 98%
2. Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue– Best Transparent Patching Glue
Aleene’s is known for making top-quality glue products for fabric and embroidery. Its Clear Gel Tacky Glue works quite well on patches. As the name suggests, this glue has a clear consistency that dries transparent. This property allows you to do your patchwork with utmost finesse.
The glue has an environmental-friendly, non-toxic formula that doesn’t emit harmful fumes. We also like this Aleene’s gel because you can cut its application tip (thin by default) to get medium and thick glue lines for larger patchwork requiring more glue.
- Also works with buttons and rhinestones
- Comes in 4 and 8oz squeezable bottles
- Great value for money
Our rating: 98%
3. Amazing Goop 140211 3.7oz All Purpose Adhesive– Best Temperature-Resistant Patch Glue
If you want to put patches on the fabric that can withstand the machine washing and harsh weather without wearing away, consider buying Amazing Goop 140211. This all-purpose glue by Amazing Goop works like magic with patches. Its waterproof bond is extremely secure. It doesn’t melt or become brittle even in extreme temperatures.
It keeps its flexibility intact in all sorts of conditions. This flexibility ensures that the glued patch can gel in with the fabric for consistent patchless appearance. Since it is all-purpose glue, you can also use it with wood, plastic, metal, glass, and a range of laminations.
- Comes in a soft 3.7oz tube
- Washer/ dryer safe
- Also available in packs of 2,3, and 4
Our rating: 98%
4. No Stitch Glue Bottles with a Heating Wand– Best For Thick Patches
If you want the combination of glue and heat-pressing to do your patchwork, this kit by No Stick is certainly an option worth considering. The kit consists of two 3.5oz glue bottles and an electric-powered heating wand. Apply the glue on the patch, put it on fabric, and heat-press it with the wand for industrial-strong bonding.
This glue and heating wand kit are ideal when you are working with thick fabrics like corduroy, rayon, and wool. The patching created by this No Stitch glue is so strong that you can wash the finished product at any temperature setting.
- Heating wand features a nonstick Teflon pressing piece
- Comes with stand and power cord
- Machine-washable
Our rating: 97%
Amazing Goop 140211 3.7oz All Purpose Adhesive
5. Secure Stitch Liquid Sewing Solution Kit– Best No-Sew Solution for Patches
If you are looking to replace needle and thread from your patchwork for good, consider this well-thought-out kit by Secure Stitch. The Kit includes two bottles of fabric solution: one for all fabric patches and the other for synthetic patches. Two bottle applicators and a separate silicon applicator also come in this Secure Stitch package for precise glue application.
These Secure Stitch glues create transparent and flexible bonds that make for high-quality patchwork. Whether it is denim and suede or velvet and silk, this glue works equally well with all tough and delicate fabrics.
- A 7-piece patching glue kit
- Also comes with a set of hem measuring clips
- Works for all types of fabrics
Our rating: 96%
6. Visbella Quick Bonding Fast Dry Sew Fabric Glue– Best for Quick Patchwork
If you are looking for a small handy glue package that you can use for hassle-free patching, take this product by Visbella into consideration. This kit includes a 2oz glue bottle, a small measuring scale, and an applicator brush. You may not need any other tool while using this kit for patching.
Visbella has also made sure that its glue can exhibit all the properties of any top-of-the-line product. It dries clear, has a non-toxic no-fume formula, and can be used with all types of fabric patches.
- Water and dryer proof
- Dries clear and creates a flexible bond
- Comes with an instruction manual
Our rating: 96%
7. GEAR AID Seam Grip WP Waterproof Adhesive– Best for Camping Gear Patchwork
If you have to do patchwork on an awning, tent, rain flies, or any camping gear, consider this waterproof adhesive and sealant by GEAR AID. This adhesive possesses a unique property, i.e., it cures into a flexible rubber seal. This means when you fix a patch on a tent or other heavy synthetic fabric with this adhesive, it creates a flexible, unbreakable bond.
This SEAM GRIP patch adhesive comes in an 8oz handy tube that you can use directly on the patch you are working on. You can get this strong adhesive and sealant in 1oz tubes as well.
- Dries clear and creates a permanent, flexible bond
- Works with all heavy-duty fabrics as well as leather and vinyl
- Also includes two applicator brushes
Our rating: 95%
8. Aleene’s 40666 Quick Dry Fusion Fabric Adhesive– Quickest to Dry Patching Glue
Many people avoid using glue for patching because they are wary of patch displacement. When you use glue that doesn’t dry quickly, a patch can leave its position even with a slight nudge. Aleene’s has got around this problem and introduced an upgraded formula of its Fusion Fabric Adhesive.
The 40666 Quick Dry Fusion Fabric dries five times faster than the original formula. This extra short drying team lets you use this glue for patching without a worry. Like other Aleene’s top-quality glues, this one also dries clear, makes a flexible bond, and is suitable for machine washing.
- Comes in a 1.5oz tube with precision tip
- Works with all thick and thin fabrics
- Glue bond remains flexible after washing
Our rating: 95%
9. Beacon Fabri-Fix Fabric Glue– No-Frill Patching Glue
If you are looking for a simple, no-nonsense glue formula for patching, consider this 4oz bottle by Beacon. This glue has all the attributes you would want in a no-sew patching alternative. The glue solution is crystal clear and also dries transparent. It quickly grabs the surface on which it is applied and dries within no time.
We also like this Beacon glue because it seamlessly works with all types of patches, including the tricky ones like leather, nylon, and lace.
- Can be used for repairing hems and split seams
- Features a cap with precision tip
- Also suitable for art and craft projects
Our rating: 94%
10. Sue Daley Designs Appliqué Glue– Best for Appliqué Patches
Applying an appliqué patch on fabric requires a lot of concentration, especially when you do it with needle and thread. Sue Daley Designs has come up with a no-sew solution for appliqué patches with its 1oz glue bottle with a needle-like tip. Such a tapered opening allows you to apply glue on your delicate appliqué patchwork with optimal precision.
The glue dries clear without leaving any opaque layer beneath the appliqué. Also, the glue makes a waterproof and flexible bond, which means you can wash your appliqué-patched fabric in machines as well.
- Soft-squeeze bottle with a pointed nib
- Quickly sticks to appliqués carved from any material
- Great value for money
Our rating: 94%
11. Fons & Porter 7766 Water Soluble Fabric Glue Stick– Best Glue Stick for Patchwork Quilting
Glue stick offers the best application of glues on any surface. Their pen-like grip lets you have more control of the application. Fons & Porter has taken these benefits of glue sticks into account and formulated a similar product for fabrics and patchwork.
This narrow glue marker offers permanent and flexible bonding for all sorts of fabric patches. The glue has a slight blue tinge to show where glue has been applied while you are working on a patch. This light blue color fades as the glue dries.
- Perfect for precise glue application
- Can be refilled
- Safe for machines and dryers
Our rating: 94%
12. Permatex 25247 Fabric Repair Kit
If you are looking for a glue kit that can be used for a range of patchwork, consider this Permatex product. From automobile upholstery to clothes and carpets, you can use this product wherever you need to make and repair fabric. The kit consists of seven cups of glues in different popular colors so you can easily match them with different patch colors and textures.
It also includes a screen applicator and spatula so you can get on your patch or repair work without needing anything from outside the kit.
- Makes a strong patching bond— waterproof and flexible
- Gels in with the rest of the fabric
- Works on all types of natural and synthetic fabrics
Our rating: 93%
13. Aleene’s Platinum Bond Super Fabric Adhesive– For High-Strength Patchwork
This is the third Aleene’s product on our list, and like the other two also offers strong adhesion for fabric patches. Aleene’s Platinum Bond Fabric Adhesive is made of a solvent-based acrylic polymer. This variant is specifically designed for high-strength fabric adhesion.
A patch affixed with Platinum Bond Adhesive only comes apart when you intentionally rip it apart from the cloth. Like any good fabric glue, this Aleene’s adhesive also dries clear and forms a flexible temperature-resistant bond.
- Comes in a handy 1.5oz bottle with precision tip
- Ultra-flexible
- Available in 2oz tube and packs of 2 and 3 as well
- Machine and dryer safe
Our rating: 92%
14. SEWOR Quick Bonding Fast Dry Sew Fabric Glue– Best for Speedy Patchwork
If you want to buy glue that can be used for fabric patchwork as well as minor plastic repairs, consider this 2oz bottle by SEWOR. You can use this glue for any patchwork, even if it includes denim or leather patches. It works equally well on all types of fabric.
The glue bottle features a precision tip and comes with an applicator, a pair of gloves, and an instruction manual.
- Dries clear to make a transparent adhesion
- Non-toxic formula— safe to use
- Quick to dry and machine washable
Our rating: 92%
15. Beacon Fabri-Tac 2oz Fabric Glue
We are rounding off our list with another Beacon glue product. Fabri-Tac offers permanent and washable fabric bonding like any other top-class patching glue. However, the impressive bit about this Beacon glue is you don’t have to use a lot of it.
It doesn’t soak into the fabric and remains at its top to create a flexible bond that doesn’t wear out due to extreme weather conditions. This property of Fabri-Tac makes it a cost-effective no-sew alternative for patches. A single 2oz bottle will be enough for multiple extensive patchworks.
- Doesn’t stain the fabric
- Features precision tip-cap
- Also comes in packs of 2, 3, 4, and 5
Our rating: 92%
Things to Consider While Buying Glue for Patches
Take these factors into consideration while buying glue for patches.
Permanent
All fabric glues don’t offer permanent adherence. For instance, glue products for fabric basting offer temporary results. So, make sure that the glue you pick for patchwork has a categorical label of “permanent bonding” or any similar term.
Flexible
Some fabric glues get hard and rigid when dry. They can make a patched fabric stiff, scratchy, and uncomfortable to wear. Glues that offer flexible adherence keep the patched part soft and consistent with the rest of the cloth. Nearly all the products we have reviewed here offer flexible bonding that maintains their suppleness even after several washes.
Tube or Bottle
If you have to work on large patchwork projects regularly, go with glue bottles because they will remain cost-effective. In case you don’t want to compromise on precision, buy tubes with narrow, nib-like openings. You can also pick glue sticks for precision and light patchwork.
Safety
Make sure that the glue is non-toxic and acid-free. Such glue products don’t emit strong chemical fumes that may cause problems for people with underlying respiratory issues. Even a healthy individual can get a throbbing headache from toxic glue fumes.
Archival
If you are working on fabrics that you hope will last decades, then consider using glues intended for quilting. These glues will be non-yellowing and non-acidic. If you need uber strong glue, it may be necessary to use a non-archival glue.
Conclusion
We hope that the above reviews and buying guide help you in getting the best glue for your patchwork requirements. If we are to make a suggestion, we will recommend you buy Tear Mender Fabric and Leather Adhesive. It forms a strong, flexible bond and dries clear and quick. This Tear Mender glue also boasts a natural latex formula, which means no toxic fumes. Its price is quite reasonable as well.
Tears in jeans can be a great fashion addition, but if you don’t want the tear to grow, or if you just want the material to be its strongest, a fabric glued patch will extend the life of your jeans.
FAQs
Why use glue instead of heat press for fabric patching?
Heat press requires more extensive setup to work with. Also, there is a risk of slight color fading and smoldering of the patch. In comparison, glue is a breeze to use and without any ramifications.
How to remove dried glue from patches?
If you want to redo the patch, expose its glued part to perchloroethylene. It is a transparent cleaning solution that you can get from home improvement and dry-cleaning stores.
How long patching glues take to cure?
Some glue products take a couple of minutes to cure. Meanwhile, some can take hours. A better practice is to leave a glued patch for one whole day to dry and cure and before exposing it to water.