No Sew Methods: Stitch Witchery vs. Fabric Glue | OFS Maker's Mill (2024)

FAQs

What is the best no-sew method? ›

There are two great ways to attach fabric without sewing: fabric glue or a fusible bonding tape like Dritz Stitch Witchery. If you have a sewing machine, sewing is often still the fastest and most reliable method for many projects, but fabric glue or Stitch Witchery are great alternatives.

As we mentioned above, fabric glue is a great tool for those who do not know how to sew, as it can still achieve similar results. It can also be good for those who know how to sew but are not strong stitchers, or for those who do not have access to a sewing machine.

Dritz Stitch Witchery is a fusible bonding web that's great for no-sew projects. It can also be used for hems and other applications where you don't want stitches showing. The bonding tape is a strip of adhesive that melts when ironed to adhere fabric together, creating a permanent bond.

Just use fabric adhesive. Fabric glue is a liquid adhesive specifically formulated for repairing and mending flexible materials such as vinyl seats, cushions, clothing, tarps, and outdoor gear. Since it is flexible, it is ideal for use on materials that are constantly bending, stretching, and changing positions.

A backstitch is one of the strongest hand sewing stitches. The backstitch gets its name because the needle goes into the fabric behind the previous stitch.

backstitch. The backstitch is one of the strongest, most adaptable stitches. This stitch mimics the straight stitch you would see on a sewing machine and is good to know for simple mending jobs and other small projects. Also good to know if you plan on sewing your own clothing by hand.

However, keep in mind that fabric glue is far inferior in terms of bonding ability and strength than spray adhesives or hot glue. If you are not seeing results with fabric glue, then it might be time to bring in the big guns — though at perhaps a lower strength or temperature.

To remove Stitch Witchery from fabric, place a piece of scrap fabric on the unwanted residue, and then apply a hot iron on the scrap fabric for 10 seconds. Then, quickly pull the scrap away. Repeat this process as many times as necessary to remove the Stitch Witchery from the fabric.

Fusible Web: Adhesive on both sides, this type of interfacing is used mostly for appliqué. It is also known as Stitch-Witchery or Heat 'n Bond.

Fusible Adhesive

This fusible interlining method is most similar to fusible tape and comes in sewable and no-sew varieties on a roll much like fabric. To properly use the no-sew kind, place it between the layers of fabrics, then use heat to bond it properly.

What can I use to stick two pieces of fabric together? ›

A glue that is washable is the most important thing.

It comes in a bottle with an awesome precision tip and really does a great job of holding fabric in place. However, what I use most often is plain ole' Elmer's Washable School Glue (make sure it's the washable variety.)

The running stitch is the most basic and commonly used, in which the needle and thread simply pass over and under two pieces of fabric. It's the same as a basting stitch, except it is sewn more tightly to create a secure and permanent bind.

In arts and crafts, you may feel somewhat constricted by not owning a sewing machine. And while it's often still the fastest and most reliable method for many projects, there are still great alternatives. The three basic no-sew methods—fabric glue, fusible bonding tape, and iron-on appliqué—are all easy to tackle.