How To Glue Fabric Without Sewing

• Gorilla Fabric Glue or Gorilla Clear Grip
• A scrap of the same fabric for testing
• Fabric scizzors
• Gloves (recommended)

1. Pre-wash and dry the fabric. Wash without fabric softener and dry completely. Softeners, sizing and factory finishes all sit on top of the fibers and weaken the bond.

2. Test on a scrap (optional). Bond two scraps of the same material, let them cure 24 hours, then pull them apart and check for bleed-through or stiffness. This takes a day and saves a garment.

3. Mark and position the fabric. Fold your hem, place your patch, or lay out your trim and mark the position with chalk or pins. Once the adhesive touches down, you cannot slide it.

4. Apply adhesive to both surfaces. Use one pea-sized drop per square inch and spread it evenly for uniform coverage. Both surfaces get adhesive — this is the single most common mistake people make.

5. Wait about two minutes. Let the adhesive partially dry before joining. This tack-up step is what produces maximum bond strength, and skipping it is why glued hems fail.

6. Press firmly together. Press the full surface, working from the center out to push out air. Pin or clip the edges if the fabric wants to lift.

7. Cure for 24 hours. Allow a minimum of 24 hours for a full cure before stressing, washing or wearing the item. Cure time increases at lower temperatures and on non-porous surfaces.

How to Hem Pants Without Sewing:

Try the pants on and mark the new length with chalk, adding 1 to 1.5 inches for the fold. Cut, then fold the raw edge under twice and press flat with an iron. Apply Gorilla Fabric Glue in a continuous line inside the fold on both faces, wait two minutes, then press the hem closed and clip every few inches. Cure 24 hours before wearing.

How to Attach a Patch Without Sewing:

Position the patch and mark its outline. Apply Fabric Glue to the back of the patch and to the garment, keeping the adhesive about 1/8 inch inside the patch edge so nothing squeezes out. Wait two minutes, press down hard for 30 seconds, and place a book on top while it sets.

How to Attach Rhinestones, Beads and Sequins:

Gorilla Fabric Glue is formulated to hold hard-to-hold embellishments. Apply a small dot to the garment, wait two minutes, then set the embellishment with tweezers. Work on a flat, horizontal surface so nothing slides before the bond takes.

How to Glue Fabric to Wood, Metal or Plastic:

Use Gorilla Clear Grip, not Fabric Glue. Clean the hard surface so it's free of dirt, grease and oil. Apply adhesive to both the fabric and the hard surface, wait about two minutes, then press firmly. Clear Grip's no-run formula holds on vertical surfaces without clamping — useful for upholstering a chair seat, lining a drawer, or wrapping a frame.

How to Glue Trim, Ribbon and Binding:

Run a thin bead of Fabric Glue along the trim and along the garment, wait two minutes, then press. Work in 6-inch sections so the adhesive doesn't skin over before you get to it.

• Coverage matters more than volume. One pea-sized drop per square inch, spread evenly, outperforms a thick bead. Excess adhesive squeezes out and stiffens the fabric.
• The two-minute wait is not optional. Both products reach maximum strength when the adhesive is allowed to partially dry before the surfaces meet.
• Stress the bond along its length, not its edge. Glued seams resist shear well; they peel more easily than stitching does. On a hem, that means a continuous line of adhesive, not spots.
• Wear gloves. Cured adhesive on skin should be peeled or rolled off, then washed with soap and warm water.
• Clear Grip needs ventilation. Use it in a well-ventilated area with safety glasses and chemical-resistant gloves. Uncured adhesive can be wiped with a dry cloth and cleaned with acetone, isopropyl alcohol or a citrus-based solvent — though those solvents will damage many fabrics, so test first.

Fabric glue is a permanent bond, but it isn't the right answer for everything. Sew instead when:

• The seam carries structural load and constant flex — a backpack strap, a load-bearing bag handle, a waistband
• The garment will be dry cleaned regularly
• The fabric is high-stretch performance knit that needs to recover after every wear
• You may need to alter the item later — glued bonds are designed not to come apart

For hems, patches, trim and embellishments, a permanent fabric adhesive holds up through repeated washing and drying. Sewing is still better for load-bearing seams and anything you may want to alter later, because a cured glue bond is permanent by design.

Yes. Gorilla Fabric Glue creates a permanent, 100% waterproof bond that stays flexible after washing, and it is washer and dryer safe once fully cured.

It sets in seconds and reaches a full cure in a minimum of 24 hours. Working time is 1–5 minutes, with the strongest bond coming from a 1–2 minute open time before the surfaces are joined.

Not if applied correctly. Both Gorilla Fabric Glue and Gorilla Clear Grip stay flexible when cured. Stiffness usually comes from applying too much — stick to one pea-sized drop per square inch, spread thin.

Yes, with Gorilla Clear Grip. It bonds fabric to metal, glass, fabric, wood, ceramic, leather, paper, plastic*, cotton, denim, polyester, felt, beads, sequins, ribbon, and more!
*It is not recommended for polystyrene, polypropylene or polyethylene.

Yes, after the full 24-hour cure. A delicate cycle with low or no heat drying will extend the life of the bond. Clear Grip and fabric glue bonds should not be dry cleaned.