You can’t just use any glue for felt! Felt is fuzzy and sometimes difficult to work with, especially when it comes time to glue it down. You need to choose the right glue when sticking felt to a material, whether it be more felt, wood, metal, or plastic.
What is the best glue for felt? The best glue for felt is tacky glue. However, hot glue and permanent adhesives like super and fabric glues also work. When selecting glues for felt, you should consider the drying time, aesthetic finish, ease of use, and perhaps kid-friendliness.
There are many different adhesives to choose from, but only a few work well when it comes to gluing felt, and those have their pros and cons.
Which Is The Best Glue For Felt?
The best glue for felt would be tacky glue. However, you can also use hot glue, a permanent adhesive such as super glue, or fabric glue. The type of glue you use will depend on what you are sticking your felt to, the drying time, and the consistency of the glue.
Using the right glue will only benefit your felt projects, keeping them glued down properly, and without any damage being done by using the wrong glue.
To help you choose the best glue for your felt projects, we have created a list of features you’ll want to look for when choosing a glue, and the 7 best felt glues for you to use!
How To Choose The Best Felt Glue
There are so many different craft glues on the market that promise to stick just about anything together, but you do need to be selective when choosing a glue to use for felt.
To ensure that you choose the best glue possible for your felt project, here are some aspects to look for and consider before choosing a glue:
Drying Time
If you like your craft projects to be ready and finished in a short time and don’t enjoy waiting for them to sit and dry, you should consider purchasing a glue with shorter drying time. Some glues need a few seconds to dry, while others need to be left overnight.
Make sure to check the drying time of the glue you are considering, and then decide if you are happy to wait that long, or if it might delay the rest of your project too much.
Kid-Friendliness
For felt projects you are doing with your kids, you need to choose a kid-friendly glue. This means that the glue should be non-toxic, easy to clean, easy to work with, and probably not a hot glue, depending on your child’s age.
It can be easy for the kids to spill some glue here and there, so you want to make sure the glue is not only easy to clean up but that it will not hurt or damage your child’s skin if they do mess a bit.
Aesthetic Finish
Different types of glue dry differently, which means they have various aesthetic differences after they are dry.
If the glue will be visible once your project is completed, you will likely want to choose a glue that dries clear, as well as one which will not dry up or harden the felt. Certain glues are nearly invisible when dry, but others turn opaque or even yellow, which could ruin the look of your project.
Ease Of Use
Working with felt can become quite frustrating fairly quickly if the fuzzy felt ends start sticking to the glue and everything gets clogged up. Make sure the glue you choose is easy to use, and that the application won’t bring about too much stress.
Whether the glue comes in a bottle with a nozzle, a brush, or a squeeze applicator, make sure it is fairly easy to use and the glue won’t dry out if left for too long.
The 7 Best Glues For Felt
Hot glue, tacky glue, super glue, and fabric glue are good choices when it comes to felt. Here are the best 7 of these glues, which will be great with your felt craft projects!
| Rank | 7 Best Glues For Felt | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue | Dries clear, won't saturate felt |
| 2. | Elmer’s Craft Bond Tacky Glue | Strong, quick bond, dries clear |
| 3. | Gorilla Super Glue Gel | Strong bond, dries fast and clear |
| 4. | Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue | Super strong, heat resistant |
| 5. | Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Permanent Fabric Adhesive | Machine washable, dries clear |
| 6. | Tear Mender Instant Fabric And Leather Adhesive | Dries fast, strong bond, waterproof |
| 7. | AdTech 8’’ Mini Hot Glue Stick | Dries fast and clear, quick bond |
1. Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue
Tacky glue is probably the best choice of glue when it comes to all things felt, and you can’t get better than Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue.
It is an incredibly versatile glue that works well on most surfaces and is pretty perfect on felt. As the glue is tacky and not too liquid, it does not soak into the felt. Instead, it provides an adhesive surface when applied to felt.
The ultra-tacky formula holds all items on contact, whether that is felt to felt, felt to wood, or felt to plastic. It provides a permanent, super-strong bond. Aleene’s tacky glues are great for yarn projects, too!
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue dries clear and does not develop a yellow color over time, so it is perfect for use on projects where the glue might be a bit visible.
It is non-toxic, low-odor, and safe for kids to use as well. Not only is it a great glue to turn to for your felt, but it is handy for all different craft projects.
Key Features:
- Does not saturate felt
- Dries clear with no yellowing over time
- Non-toxic, safe for kids
- Use for felt to felt, felt to wood, or felt to plastic.
2. Elmer’s Craft Bond Tacky Glue
Elmer’s is another trusted name in the craft market, and their tacky glue proves why!
Ideal for all types of craft projects, the tacky glue works well with felt, and bonds it securely with other mediums as well. The strong wet tack bonds almost instantly, and can be used on porous and semi-porous surfaces.
The tacky glue dries clear and has a no-run formula, so you don’t have to worry about mess and spills, or the glue spreading to areas of the felt where it shouldn’t.
If you do need to do a bit of a clean-up, the glue can easily be wiped away with water, even once already applied to the felt or another surface.
A little goes a long way with the Elmer’s Craft Bond Tacky Glue, and one little bottle will help you finish off many different felt crafts!
Key Features:
- Strong, wet tack for a quick bond
- Dries clear and does not yellow
- No-run formula
- Cleans up with water
3. Gorilla Super Glue Gel
Gorilla Super Glue is one of the strongest bonds you could ask for while being incredibly quick-drying as well.
The no-run control gel formula is great to use on felt. The glue only stays in the targeted area, without spreading or running off onto other areas of the felt. The no-run formula is so effective, the glue can be used on vertical surfaces without running!
Once applied, the super glue dries in 10-45 seconds, which is incredibly fast for a craft glue, especially one which offers such a strong bond.
The glue can be used on felt, plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, leather, paper and so much more. There is no limit to what your felt can stick to!
An anti-clog cap prevents the glue from drying out and clumping. So you can use it time and time again while enjoying its great qualities. The super glue is better used to glue smaller areas of felt, but where it is used, it provides increased resistance in strength.
Drying clear, the glue will be nearly invisible on your felt project!
Key Features:
- No run formula
- Quick-drying time
- Dries clear
- Super strong bond
4. Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
If you are looking for the strongest bond possible, then the Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue would be ideal.
The rubber-toughened, instant adhesive resists impact and vibrations, and even high temperatures.
It can be used to stick felt to felt, metal, rubber, ceramics, leather, paper, plastics, and wood, so there are next to no limitations for your craft project.
The side squeeze designed bottle allows for maximum control so that the only area being glued is the area you intend to be glued!
Being quick-drying, you do not need to clamp the glue to dry, and it dries clear and nearly invisible, so there will be no stains or marks on your finished project.
The Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue is the glue to use if you want your felt to be glued, and to stay glued, no matter the surface it is glued to!
Key Features:
- Ultra-strength
- Dries clear
- Quick-drying
5. Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Permanent Fabric Adhesive
Fabric glue is definitely an option to use to glue felt, but it is best used when sticking felt to felt. The Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Permanent Fabric Adhesive is one of the better options, offering a permanent bond!
The fabric glue can be used to glue felt to felt, but can also be used to stick small embellishments onto felt as well, offering a permanent, strong bond. The glue will not string when applied, so the application is made super easy as well.
Being non-toxic, it is safe for kids to use, and is machine washable as well, remaining flexible after washing. It is a good choice for making felt costumes or hats, which will need to be washed after use.
Once applied, the glue dries clear, leaving no stains or yellowing over time. If there are any spills, it can simply be washed up with some soap and water!
Key Features:
- Machine washable
- Remains flexible after washing
- Non-toxic and safe for children
- Dries clear
- Non-stringing formula
6. Tear Mender Instant Fabric And Leather Adhesive
The Tear Mender Instant Fabric Adhesive offers an instant, durable bond that ensures your felt will stay securely glued!
Once dried, the bond remains flexible and wearable, drying in only 3 minutes. The fast-drying glue can even be placed in the washing machine after 15 minutes of application, and still hold its strong bond!
The glue will form a permanent and long-lasting bond between felt and other fabrics, with the glue being waterproof, flexible, and UV-resistant, helping to protect the felt from any damage. There is also little saturation and running with the glue.
While this glue can be used for other surfaces, it is best used for felt to felt, offering a bond that simply will not be broken. Being a non-toxic glue, it is safe for the whole family!
Key Features:
- Quick-drying
- Waterproof, flexible and UV resistant
- Super strong bond
- Non-toxic
7. AdTech 8’’ Mini Hot Glue Stick
Hot glue is ideal to use for felt, especially if you are looking for a quick-drying solution that bonds almost instantly!
Being 8 inches long, these glue sticks will last longer than the usual length. This helps you complete more during your project, without having to add a new stick as often.
Drying clear, the glue will not be visible on your project once it is done, and you don’t have to worry about stains or yellowing glue.
These glue sticks are multi-temperature, meaning they can be used on either high or low temperature settings on your glue gun.
This multi-temperature feature allows you to adjust to the different materials you are using. Plus, using the glue at a lower temperature will help you keep from damaging the felt.
It is important to note that while these glue sticks are non-toxic, they do need to be used with at least a low amount of heat, which makes them unsuitable for younger children.
Glue sticks are fast-drying, fast-bonding, and clear once dry, making them a great choice for felt projects. These 8-inch glue sticks from AdTech will help you glue for longer without having to stop and reload your glue gun halfway through!
Key Features:
- Fast drying
- Quick bond
- Dry clear
- Extra length glue sticks
Felt Glue For Different Surfaces
Choosing the right glue will depend on the surface you will be sticking the felt to. Here are the different surfaces with the glues that would work best for them:
- Felt To Wood – For sticking felt to wood, tacky glue would be the best option. It will create the best bond between the felt fabric and the wooden surface, and will not leave any stains, or harden the felt at all.
- Felt To Metal – When sticking felt to metal, super glue would be best. This creates an instant, strong bond that is very difficult to break apart. Superglue will form a permanent bond between felt and metal beads or embellishments.
- Felt To Felt – Gluing felt to felt is best done with fabric glue. Fabric glue will bond the two pieces of felt material together, without causing stains or yellowing over time, and the glue will be washable and flexible, not losing strength after being placed in the washing machine.
Best Spray Glue For Felt
If you are wanting to use a spray glue for your felt, the Aleene’s Tacky Spray would be your best bet.
It dries crystal clear and dries within 2 minutes. The tacky spray can be used to tick felt to paper, cardboard, and light wood, and is good to use for larger surfaces that need gluing.
Related Questions
Can You Glue Paper to Felt?
Yes, you can glue paper to felt. Use tacky glue to achieve a good bond, without the glue seeping through the paper.
How Long Does Tacky Glue Take to Dry?
Tacky glue can take up to 35 minutes to dry once applied, which is quicker than the 2 hours white glue takes to dry.
What is the Difference Between Tacky Glue and White Glue?
Tacky glue has a thicker consistency than white glue, which makes it the better option for felt. It does not run and seep into the felt like white glue would, which could harden the felt and ruin the area where the glue has been applied. Both are non-toxic and dry clear.
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