Gluing is not cheating.

Somewhere along the way, sewists developed the strange idea that if we didn’t pin it, baste it, wrestle it into submission and suffer at least a little bit, we hadn’t sewn it properly.

Nonsense. 😂

Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is reach for a tiny helper:

• a dab of glue
• a strip of wash-away tape
• a temporary adhesive
• a clip instead of a pin

Something that holds a slippery zipper exactly where you want it, keeps an appliqué shape from wandering or stops a fiddly little edge from shifting while you sew.

That isn’t cheating. That is control.

In many cases, it can also mean less pinning, less awkward hand pressure, less fabric distortion and a whole lot less muttering at the sewing table.

So, let’s look at the clever little helpers that can make sewing easier—what they’re good for, when to use them and when to keep them well away from the project.

Because sometimes the difference between “this is driving me mad” and “oh… that was easy” is about three millimetres of glue.

And just to be clear: the Sewing Police are not coming.

You are allowed to make sewing easier. No sirens. No flashing lights. No one is going to confiscate your rotary cutter because you used a glue stick instead of seventeen pins. 😂

Glue sticks: tiny dab, big difference

The humble glue stick might be one of the most underrated tools in the sewing room.

I avoided glue for years. I thought proper sewing meant pins, basting and somehow keeping everything under control with sheer determination.

Then I finally started using it.

And now? I appreciate the help enormously. 😂

Used properly, a glue stick can hold something exactly where you want it just long enough to sew it down—without pins, without shifting and without turning the whole project into a wrestling match.

The key words there are used properly.

Because we are talking about a tiny amount of glue, not renovating the bathroom. 😂

Where a glue stick can be brilliant

A washable fabric or craft glue stick can be wonderfully handy for:

• holding zipper tape in position before stitching
• securing small appliqué shapes
• keeping binding or hems from shifting
• holding labels or pockets in place
• positioning trims
• controlling tiny pieces that are difficult to pin
• keeping seam allowances tucked where you want them
• temporarily holding fabric layers together while you sew

It can be especially useful where pins would distort the fabric, create too much bulk or simply get in the way.

The trick is to use very little

You don’t need to coat the whole piece. Usually, a few small dabs or a very light swipe is enough to stop the fabric from moving.

Too much glue can make the fabric stiff, take longer to dry and create unnecessary residue.

Think: hold it still—not laminate it for future generations. 😂

Keep the glue away from where it doesn’t belong

When using glue near a zipper, keep it well away from the teeth or coil.

For general sewing, try to keep most of the adhesive away from the exact stitching line where possible. A product designed for sewing should behave well around needles, but there is still no advantage in making the needle repeatedly punch through a thick patch of adhesive.

Let it set for a moment

After positioning the fabric, give the glue a few seconds to grab before moving everything to the sewing machine.

That little pause often makes the difference between:

“There. Perfect.”

and

“Where on earth has that gone?” 😂

Always test first

If you’re working with a delicate, pale, unusual or expensive fabric, test the glue on a scrap first.

Check that it:

• dries without leaving a mark
• doesn’t change the fabric colour
• washes away as expected
• doesn’t make the fabric permanently stiff

Most sewing helpers are wonderfully well behaved. But the middle of your finished project is a terrible place to discover the exception.

Adhesive tape: wash-away or here to stay?

Adhesive tape is a wonderfully tidy sewing helper when you want something held in place without pins, liquid glue or sticky fingers.

It’s especially useful for zippers, hems, trims, labels, cork, vinyl and narrow areas where a controlled strip of adhesive is more useful than a broader application.

Before you use it, check one important thing:

Is it wash-away or permanent?

Wash-away tape

This is for temporary hold. Use it when you want help during construction but don’t want the adhesive to remain in the finished project.

It can be very handy for:

• positioning zippers
• holding hems before stitching
• securing trims and labels
• working with cork or vinyl where pinholes are unwanted
• controlling slippery or shifting fabrics

Once washed according to the product directions, the adhesive is designed to disappear.

Non-wash-away tape

This type stays in the project. Use it where a permanent adhesive layer is suitable, and you actually want that extra hold to remain.

Around zippers, keep the adhesive away from the teeth or coil. Position it on the zipper tape where it can hold things securely without interfering with the zipper itself.

The easy way to remember

• Wash-away: helps during construction, then leaves.
• Non-wash-away: moves in permanently.

Rather like house guests—it’s useful to know which kind you’ve invited before they arrive. 😂

Fabric glue: temporary or permanent?

Fabric glue can be a brilliant sewing-room helper, but before using it, check one very important word on the label:

Temporary or permanent?

Those two products may sit beside each other on the shelf, but they are doing very different jobs.

Temporary fabric glue: hold it now, let it go later

Temporary fabric glue is for those moments when you need something to stay exactly where you put it while you sew—but you don’t want the adhesive to become part of the finished project.

It’s useful for:

• appliqué placement
• holding pockets before stitching
• positioning labels
• securing hems or bindings
• keeping trims aligned
• fiddly little pieces
• matching seams before sewing
• holding fabric where pins are awkward

Why it’s so useful

Temporary glue gives you control without committing forever.

You can line things up, check the placement, make adjustments and then stitch, knowing the fabric is far less likely to wander off while your back is turned. 😂

Depending on the product, the adhesive may wash away, disappear with handling or release after a period of time.

So again—read the label. Temporary does not always mean exactly the same thing from one product to another.

Use just enough

A few small dots or a light swipe is usually plenty. Too much can make the fabric stiff, take longer to release or leave more residue than necessary.

The goal is:

“Stay there while I sew you.”

Not:

“You live here now.” 😂

Temporary glue helps you make the project. It doesn’t become the construction method.

Permanent fabric glue: when the glue does the joining

Sometimes the adhesive isn’t just there to hold something until you stitch it. Sometimes the glue itself is doing the joining.

That’s where permanent fabric glue comes in.

It can be a handy option for:

• fabric embellishments
• trims and decorative pieces
• simple repairs
• craft projects
• attaching fabric where stitching is awkward
• no-sew applications
• projects where a permanent bond is what you want

Permanent really does mean permanent

This is where we need to think a little further ahead. Before applying it, ask:

• Will this area need to remain soft and flexible?
• Will the project be washed?
• Will it be ironed?
• Could the glue show through the fabric?
• Will I ever need to sew through this spot later?
• Is the adhesive suitable for this particular fabric?

A permanent glue can be brilliant when it’s used for the job it was designed for.

It is considerably less brilliant when you realise afterwards that the piece is 6 mm crooked. 😂

Use it sparingly

More glue does not necessarily mean a better bond. Too much can soak through, create stiffness, take longer to dry or make a small job unnecessarily messy.

Follow the manufacturer’s directions and apply only what you need.

The simple difference

• Temporary glue helps you make the project.
• Permanent glue becomes part of the project.

That’s a distinction worth checking before the cap comes off.

Read the label

This is one of those times when the bottle really does know more than we do.

Check:

• whether it is washable
• whether it dries clear
• whether it remains flexible
• whether heat affects it
• whether it is suitable for the fabric you are using
• whether it is designed to be sewn through

Two glues that look very similar can behave quite differently.

A simple rule

If you only need something held until you stitch it, choose a temporary helper.

If the adhesive itself is expected to become part of the finished construction, choose a product designed for a permanent bond.

“It sticks” is not quite enough information. 😂

Odif 505 and Odif 808 spray adhesives

Odif 505 temporary adhesive

Odif 505 Temporary Adhesive is designed to temporarily hold fabric or paper in position while you work.

It’s particularly useful when you want to avoid pins or basting across a larger area—for quilting, embroidery, appliqué, stabilisers and other jobs where you need the layers to stay put during construction.

The key word is temporary.

It helps keep everything where you want it while you work, rather than becoming the permanent construction method.

Odif 808 Reactivating Pattern Adhesive

Odif 808 Reactivating Pattern Adhesive is more specialised.

It is designed for pattern pieces and templates, allowing them to be temporarily adhered to fabric for positioning and cutting.

Because the adhesive can be reactivated, the same pattern piece can be used again rather than needing to be sprayed every single time.

That makes it especially handy for frequently used pattern pieces, templates and repeat cutting.

Odif 505 or 808?

• 505: temporary hold for the fabric or project while you work.
• 808: temporary hold for a pattern or template on fabric.

SeamAlign precision glue: when accuracy matters

Some sewing jobs don’t need more glue.

They need less glue, exactly where you want it.

That’s where a precision applicator really earns its place.

A product such as Acorn SeamAlign Glue lets you place tiny dots or a very fine line exactly along the area you want held, rather than spreading adhesive over a broad section of fabric.

That makes it especially useful for:

• matching quilt seams and intersections
• appliqué placement
• small or fiddly pieces
• narrow hems
• holding fabric before stitching
• precise seam alignment
• areas where a glue stick is simply too broad

Why precision matters

When two seams need to meet perfectly, even a tiny amount of movement can throw the intersection off.

A precision glue lets you tack the layers into position with very little bulk, then sew with everything exactly where you intended it to be.

And because you’re applying such a small amount, you have far more control over where the adhesive goes.

Is it expensive?

Compared with a basic glue stick? Yes.

This sits at the top end of the glue shelf. But you’re not really paying for “more glue”. You’re paying for control, accuracy and a very fine application.

And when the difference between a beautifully matched intersection and an afternoon of unpicking is a few carefully placed dots of glue, that tiny nozzle starts looking rather clever. 😂

The big takeaway: the glue isn’t the star. The accuracy is.

Fusible web: glue you activate with heat

Fusible web is another member of the adhesive family, but instead of squeezing or spraying it on, the adhesive is already sitting in a sheet or web and is activated with heat.

It can be brilliant for:

• appliqué
• fabric motifs
• badges and decorative shapes
• securing fabric before stitching
• craft projects
• hems and small repairs, depending on the product

The important thing is that not all fusible webs are the same.

• Some are designed to be sewn through.
• Some are intended to create a permanent bond without stitching.
• Some are lightweight and soft.
• Others create a much firmer result.

So this is definitely one of those times when the words on the packet matter.

Sewable or non-sewable?

This is probably the biggest distinction.

A lightweight product such as Heat n Bond Lite is designed to hold appliqué pieces in place while still allowing you to stitch through them afterwards.

A heavier permanent fusible may be intended to do the bonding itself, without sewing.

Choosing the wrong one can give you a very different result from what you expected.

Paper-backed fusible web

Paper-backed fusible is especially handy for appliqué because you can often draw or trace directly onto the paper, fuse it to the back of the fabric, cut out the shape, peel away the paper and then fuse the piece into position.

It is accurate, tidy and particularly useful for small or detailed shapes.

Don’t over-fuse it

More heat is not always better. Too much heat can:

• stiffen the fabric
• flatten texture
• cause adhesive to seep
• affect delicate fabrics
• make removal or repositioning impossible

Follow the manufacturer’s heat and pressing instructions.

Because once fusible web has decided it lives there permanently, it is considerably less interested in discussing alternatives. 😂

Choose the fusible for the job

Choose the fusible for the job first. Then decide whether you also want to stitch it.

Lightweight sewable fusibles are designed with stitching in mind. Strong no-sew fusibles may be enough on their own for decorative, low-use projects.

If the project will be washed, handled a lot, or you simply want extra security, stitching it down can still be a sensible choice.

If sewing through adhesive is causing drag or sticky build-up, a non-stick machine needle can make the job much easier.

A note on Heat n Bond Ultra

Heat n Bond Ultra is designed as a strong, permanent, no-sew fusible adhesive.

For something like a banner, wall hanging or decorative project that isn’t going to be washed, that can be absolutely fine. Fuse it properly, and Bob’s your uncle. 😂

But if the finished project is going to be washed regularly, my personal preference is still to stitch the edges down as well.

Not because the fusible hasn’t done its job, but because washing, flexing and repeated use put much more stress on the bond over time.

My rule is simple:

• Decorative and rarely handled? Fusible may be enough.
• Going through the wash? I’d sew it down too.

The final word: use the helper that suits the job

Glue, tape and fusible web are not shortcuts in the careless sense. Used thoughtfully, they are tools that give you greater control.

The right adhesive can prevent distortion, reduce pinning, keep tiny pieces aligned and make awkward sewing jobs feel far more manageable.

Just remember:

• read the label
• use the smallest effective amount
• test unfamiliar products on a scrap
• keep adhesive away from zipper teeth and other moving parts
• check whether the product is temporary, washable, sewable or permanent
• follow the manufacturer’s washing, drying and heat instructions

Most importantly, give yourself permission to make sewing easier.

The Sewing Police still aren’t coming. 😂

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Join the Conversation

Do you use glue, adhesive tape or fusible web in your sewing? Perhaps you have a favourite product, a clever tip or an adhesive mishap that other sewists could learn from.

We would love you to leave a comment and share your experience with other readers of the Everything Fabric Blog.

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Alternatively, you can ask Carrie a question directly by emailing her.

Happy stitching,
Carrie