If you do a lot of upholstery work or general leather repairs on items that involves using leather and fabric, then you would know by now one of the best ways to join these two materials is by using glue. But what’s the best glue for bonding leather to fabric?
This is the post I answer this simple but very tricky question with 7 awesome recommendations. So the glues I researched and found to be the best for leather to fabric in no particular order are:
- Tear Mender Glue 3.7Ltr. (Best Overall Leather to Fabric Glue)
- Barge All-Purpose Quart (Best Overall Budget Glue For Leather to Fabric)
- Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement (Best Budget Water-Based Adhesive)
- Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Leather Adhesive 4 Oz. (Best Eco Friendly Glue)
- Boot-Fix Shoe Glue (Best Boot Repair Glue)
- Aleene’s 4 Oz. Leather & Suede Glue (Best Temporal Bond Glue)
- Coconix Leather Glue (Best Color Matching Restore Adhesive)
Before we get into the details on the above listed 7 Best glues for leather to fabric, let’s first take a look at some general factors to look out for when buying glues you’re going to use for your leather to fabric bonding.
Buying Guide For Leather to Fabric Glues
When I first started my journey in leather work, I was flabbergasted by the number of glues on the market claiming the multipurpose crown. I find getting specific glues for specific materials makes a lot of sense especially for beginners and results the best bonds. So for this article, I focused on the glues that are best for leather to fabric bonding.
Related: Best Glue For Leather To Leather
Choosing the right glue for leather to fabric works is somehow crucial. You don’t want an adhesive that’s going to cause a bad reaction between your expensive leather and your most treasured fabric. However, what you would want is basically a super durable glue that will give you the best long lasting bond and finish.
So here are a couple of factors to take into consideration in your quest for the best glue for leather to fabric adhesion:
Price:
Glues come at different price points so it’s often a great idea to figure out how much you’re willing to spend as against the value of getting the best glue first before beginning your search.
Also compare products and brands so you don’t overpay for glues you can find with the same quality at a reasonable lower price.
Ease of Application:
Glues also come with different application recommendations and best practices. For most repair works, you will need glue that come in tubes so you will be able to precisely pour directly from the tube to the affected parts you’re mending.
On the other hand, crafters will require glues that they can easily dip a brush or other glue applicators and spread since they will often cover larger areas with the glue when bonding larger pieces of leather to fabric.
For me, I find glues that can be sprayed to be very convenient for leather to fabric bonding because small particles of glue is diffused which is perfect for the tiny yarns, threads, etc fabrics are composed of. However, spray adhesives will often create weaker bonds compared to contact glues.
However, this has a huge caveat which is — you would breath in glue particles. So using a mask for this type of glue will be a super safe route.
Adhesion
Glue binds materials together by producing a small surface chemical reaction and bond between the materials. Leather and fabric are two different materials so sticking them together requires glue that will create a strong bond while retaining a friendly reactions between the materials without compromising their durability.
There are generally 2 basic adhesions you would want to care about when it comes to bonding leather to fabrics — permanent adhesion or temporal adhesion.
The permanent adhesive glues will bond your leather to your fabric permanently and even if you do not stitch or thong after you glue, the leather and fabric will remain bonded.
The glues that offer temporal adhesion on the other hand, will not hold up without reinforcing using stitches. You will only buy glues that offer temporal bonds for the purpose of holding fabric in place over a leather surface prior to stitching or sewing.
Often times glues with polyurethane, cyanoacrylate, or rubber cement are simply awesome for leather to fabric bonding because of how well it bonds regardless of the small gaps fabrics have.
While this is a major factor you will have to consider, don’t overthink this because my recommended glues has this checkbox tick.
Drying Color of the Glue
The resulting color after the glue is applied and dries is one important thing to pay attention to. You wouldn’t want the drying color of the glue you use to distort the beauty of your work.
The general rule of thumb for this I will say is — if you work with leather and fabrics that are generally light colored, then you would want glue that dries clear without any coloration.
For most darker color leather and fabric materials just about any good quality glue will be great. All in all, if you’re unsure and don’t want to risk messing up hours of work, you can fall on glues that simply dry clear. You will never go wrong since it will not leave any color stains.
Environmental Resistance
Another important factor to consider is environmental resistance of the glue. This is because you wouldn’t want the materials you glued to come apart when exposed to the elements of the environment.
The glue must maintain adhesive performance when used to bond leather and fabric despite exposure to UV light, rain, salt water, and other weathering conditions.
Related: Best Glue For Leather to Wood
Best Glue For Leather to Fabric – Reviews
With confidence and a clear view of what to expect when buying the best glue for leather to fabric we can now get into their details. Again, in no particular order:
1. Tear Mender Glue 3.7Ltr. (Best Overall Leather to Fabric Glue)
The Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather glue is great for all kinds of repairs work and crafting projects. It offers a long lasting adhesion and it’s well known for its strong adhesive qualities and finishing.
It’s a non-flaming and non-toxic glue that results a nice flexible bond. Its bond is resistant with water and the UV rays.
This is particularly their 1 gallon which is about 3.7liters. Tear mender also has this glue in 2 Oz. and 16 Oz.
Pros:
- Repairs can stand a hot weather
- It’s fast drying and easy to use
- It makes repairs work last long
- Excess glue and glue stains can be removed easily
- It bonds strongly
- It can be used for permanent bonds without sewing
Cons:
- Tricky to work with because of its thin viscosity
- It may slightly discolor repairs works and projects
If you’re interested in the Tear Mender Instant Fabric And Leather Glue, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
2. Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement 4 Oz. (Best Budget Water-Based Adhesive)
The Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement is great for crafting, repairing and fixing items including the ones made up of leather and fabric materials. Fiebing’s leathercraft cement is non-toxic and non-flaming.
It’s a 4oz water-based adhesive. It is a great choice if you prefer the best glue for leather to fabric made by the Fiebing’s brand.
Pros:
- Handy
- Easy to use
- Sets up fast
- Holds up well
- It’s a versatile adhesive for all forms of leather and fabric works
Cons:
- It may cause discoloration on your crafts and repair works
- It may need clamping for it to bond well
If you’re interested in the Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
3. Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Leather Adhesive 4 Oz. (Best Eco Friendly Glue)
The Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Leather Adhesive is a glue gel, flexible, and easy to use. It can be brought along anywhere with ease — it’s in fact a life saver glue.
The Tandy leather glue is made for crafting, repairing, and fixing all kinds of leather products, chipboards, clothes. etc. It will require a bit of pressure for it to bond any material and you wouldn’t have to release the pressure until the bond is dry.
Pros:
- It is odorless
- Dries clear
- It makes a strong bond
- It is the best for filling holes in leather and fabrics
- It is eco-friendly
- It leaves no visible marks when it dries
- It is strong, yet comfortable and flexible to use
- Bonding is flexible and secured
Cons:
- It will need clamping to bond well
- It may take sometime to cure
If you’re interested in the Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Leather Adhesive, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
4. Boot-Fix Shoe Glue 20g (Best Boot Repair Glue)
The Boot-Fix Shoe Glue is one of the best glues for for fixing boots due to its high durability and strength. This glue exclusively focuses on boots — so it can adhere any material in relation to boots such as leather, fabric, or fittings. Its bond is absolutely instant and even without the use of clamps, it will hold up really well.
Pros:
- Can stretch after it’s bonded
- It’s clear gel characteristic makes it easy for use on different colored boots
- It has a fast bonding and quick dry quality
- It lasts longer
- It’s water resistant
- It holds well
- No need for holding in a vice or tapping with a mallet when applied
Cons:
- It is quite pricy
- When not applied following it’s specified instructions on the package, it won’t work
- May become stiff when it dries
If you’re interested in the Boot-fix shoe Glue, you can check it out over here on Amazon.
5. Aleene’s 4 Oz. Leather & Suede Glue (Best Temporal Bond Glue)
The Aleene’s Leather Glue & Suede Glue is best for leather items that require a lot of dry cleaning. So accidental wearing and tearing of leather shoes, purses, belts, bags, and other leather and fabrics should not be an issue now since this type of glue is best for its repair.
It’s also good for crafters who need a temporary adhesive to hold their leather and fabric lining in place before sewing is done.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Priced fairly low
- Dries easily
- Best for temporary use
- No leakages
- Good packaging
Cons:
- Loses grip after first wash because it doesn’t offer a permanent bond
- May leaves a tacky look after drying
If you’re interested in the Aleene’s leather and suede glue, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
6. Coconix Leather Glue (Best Color Matching Restore Adhesive)
The Coconix Leather Glue is more of a repair glue kit that’s good for fixing holes and cracks on all kinds of leather and fabric made items like furniture. It also does a fantastic job of eliminating scratches. Warming coats, bags, purses, belts, etc are not left out of the magic it can work.
This glue works well both on old and new leather & fabric products. What’s more interesting with this glue kit is how you will be able to restore any kind of leather, fabric or both back to when it was new.
Pros:
- It comes in a variety of colors that will match your product or item you’re fixing
- It comes with clear and easy to understand instructions
- It’s good for quick fixes
- Great for fixing holes, cracks, and scratches
- Product comes with a 30 day money back guarantee
Cons:
- It has an oily effect
If you’re interested in the Coconix Leather Glue, you can check it out over here on Amazon for additional information.
7. Barge All-Purpose Quart (Best Overall Budget Glue For Leather to Fabric)
The Barge All-Purpose Quart is your typical contact cement glue. It offers the strongest bond and has the most adhesion. The Barge all-purpose is a strong glue and can be used to join leather to fabric, rubber, and vinyl.
If you need to line fabric to leather on products like footwears, sandals, bags, and any other hardwearing items, then the Barge all-purpose glue is just what you need.
This glue is very simple to use. All you need to do is to apply a fair amount on both the fabric and the leather surfaces you’re joining together and then waiting about 10-15minutes after which you can put both pieces together and press using a leather roller. Then leave to cure for about 24hours.
Related: Best Leather Roller Tools For Glueing…
Pros:
- It’s for strong permanent adhesion
- Great multipurpose glue
- Has an applicator brush attached to the lid for easy application
- It’s a multi-purpose glue
- Dries Fast
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Barge has a strong unpleasant smell
- Doesn’t dry clear
- You cannot sew through because its thick and gummy
- Highly Flammable
If you’re interested in the Barge All-purpose Quart, you can check it out here on Amazon!
How to Glue Leather to Fabric
Related Questions
What’s the Best Glue for Leather to Plastic?
The best glue for leather to plastic will generally be a leather contact cement. This is because leather contact cement is heavy-duty, versatile, and will work well without causing any damage to either the plastic or leather surfaces being joined together.
If you’re interested, you can check out the barge all purpose leather cement here on Amazon! It’s one of the best on the market and will make your gluing on leather to plastic easy, durable, and long lasting.
Here’s a video on how to glue leather to plastic!
What’s the Best Glue for Leather to Metal?
The best glue for leather to metal is any of the super glues on the market. Why? Because super glue comes with super bond characteristics that allows leather to bond with metal although both has different textures.
When it comes down to specific products, I will recommend you get either the krazy superglue or the Gorilla Super Glue gel. These two types of super glue are very cheap and will do a fantastic job for all of your leather to metal bonding needs.
