Rhinestones can add a DIY sparkle to any outfit or accessory, but you'll need a good glue to securely attach these jewelry to the fabric. The best glue for rhinestones on fabric, dries clear and pliable to work with your favorite fabric types. The glue's durability, application, drying time and whether it can be put in the washing machine may be other factors to consider, so before choosing a glue, consider what makes the most sense for your project.
When choosing a fabric glue for attaching your rhinestones, you'll want a glue that dries clear so you don't end up applying too much glue around your rhinestones or making a mistake - after all, that white edge or residue might not be what you want. The look we're going to. Next, you need to focus on water resistance. If you're attaching rhinestones to clothing, costumes, hats, or shoes, you'll want to be able to sweat or toss them in the washing machine, or at least be able to hand wash them without fear of exposure to water. In this case, you'll need to use permanent glue to achieve a strong bond. Some glues can even withstand dryer heat (an added bonus), and one glue on this list even claims to get stronger in the dryer. If you are working on a temporary project or want to remove the rhinestone at some point, non-permanent glue is another option.
Any fabric you use will require a glue that is formulated to remain semi-flexible as it dries and move with the fabric. However, not all fabrics move the same way, so the right glue for your project will also depend on the type of fabric you're working with. Stretchy fabrics such as cotton, jersey, spandex, nylon, mesh, or any lightweight fabric require a glue that won't bleed from the surface. For fabrics with leather or suede finishes, Or for heavier duty fabrics like denim, canvas, fleece, flannel, fleece, corduroy or felt, you'll need a thicker glue to bond thicker surfaces. Find the glue that works best for your specific project and fabric - and be sure to check if the manufacturer recommends this glue for your fabric, and do a spot check before committing, as some glues may discolor certain fabrics.
No matter which type of glue you choose, most come with an applicator tip that helps you apply the glue to rhinestones or specific areas of fabric. Some tips can be cut to fit your specific needs, while others are larger (ideal for larger rhinestones) and some have needle points for precise application of smaller jewelry. After the glue is applied, some may take minutes or even seconds to set and dry, while others may take several hours. Each glue has a different drying and curing time - drying time is how long it takes for the glue to no longer be wet, while curing time is how long it takes for the adhesive to reach its full strength - so check the packaging to make sure everything will Dries and cures at a speed that suits you. Finally, if you want to skip gluing altogether, you can opt for self-adhesive rhinestones, which apply quickly but aren't as strong, or pre-adhesive rhinestones, which use a heated applicator wand to adhere the jewelry to the fabric.
Whether you are applying some or all rhinestones, you need the right type of adhesive. Check out some of the best glues on Amazon for attaching rhinestones to any type of fabric.
1. Glue for rhinestones on stretch fabrics
- Drying time: 8 hours
- Curing time: 72 hours
According to the brand and reviewers, this E6000 glue is ideal for attaching rhinestones to removable and stretchable fabrics (such as cotton, jersey, spandex, nylon, mesh, or any lightweight woven fabric) . As one reviewer explained, it has a fairly precise applicator tip that allows you to "apply the tiniest dots of glue straight from the bottle with great ease." It takes 8 hours to dry and 72 hours to fully cure, so if the rhinestones aren't exactly where they're supposed to be, you still have time to reposition them. The glue remains clear while remaining flexible once it dries, and once fully cured, it's both permanent and waterproof, so your rhinestone-embellished fabric can be safely thrown into the washing machine or even taken to the dry cleaners. The brand doesn't specify whether the glue can withstand a dryer cycle—several reviewers report some success using the dryer, but you may want to let your pieces air dry for extra safety.
Helpful Amazon review: "Ever since I discovered this thing, it's the only thing I've used for stonewashing skirts, dresses, shirts, and any fabric. It's great because it has a small tip that dries fairly quickly, Very low odor (if you've ever used regular E6000, you'll notice the stuff smells) and it stretches with the fabric as it dries. Best thing ever! Comes in a 4 oz bottle and works great for long term use. Rhinestones that are not heat repaired or that you don’t want to iron.”
2. A rhinestone glue that becomes stronger in the dryer
- Drying time: 1 hour
- Curing time: 24 hours
When you have fabric and want to throw it in the dryer safely, look no further than this permanent adhesive from Beacon. According to the brand, the glue actually becomes stronger when it's exposed to dryer heat—it's not that you have to put it in the dryer to make it stronger, it's just a Good functionality. In fact, Gem-Tac has a lot of great properties - it's non-toxic, dries clear, has permanent hold, and remains flexible (so it's perfect for lightweight or loose-fitting fabrics, although multiple reviewers say They used it successfully also for heavier ones). There is a precision tip cap for easy application, and the glue takes 1 hour to dry and 24 hours to cure. It's so good at bonding stones to fabric that one reviewer wrote, "I make clothes for a living and this is what I use," while another admitted they've used it for "Rhinestone for almost everything".
Helpful Amazon Review: "I love it. I wore it with a dress and used it for family events. First time using it and the results were great. No mess or issues!"
3. Quick Gel for Rhinestones on Heavy Duty Fabrics
- Drying time: about 2 seconds
- Curing time: 24 hours
Durable fabrics require durable adhesives, which is where Gorilla Fabric Glue comes in. Recommended for use on denim, canvas, fleece, cotton, flannel, fleece, felt, corduroy and polyester, it is a thicker glue designed for less stretchy fabrics with a tighter weave. You'll need to work quickly as the adhesive sets in seconds (it will turn clear!), but after 24 hours of curing, the adhesive will have a permanent hold. After that, you'll need to wait at least 72 hours before washing or ironing it, although it's machine washable and safe to iron or machine dry. It's worth noting that multiple reviewers reported that the glue was a bit difficult to squeeze out of the tube, but once you start using it, it comes out pretty quickly, so be careful when applying it - and be aware that if you want to get really precise Applying very small rhinestones may not be the best option. Choose from a one or three pack.
Helpful Amazon review: "This was perfect for adding some rhinestone appliqués to a canvas bag. I used the bag in a natural color and there was no noticeable bleeding on the other side and after 24 hours everything was glued on tight."
4. Non-permanent glue for detailed rhinestone application
- Drying time: 1 hour
- Curing time: 24 hours
You don't always need permanent glue, so when you want to go back, change jobs, or restore clothing to its original condition, consider GS Hypo Cement, a non-toxic, waterproof, medium-strength adhesive that And can be removed with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Sets in about 10 minutes, dries in about 1 hour, and takes about 24 hours to cure. There's a needle tip for precise application, which one reviewer said provides "surgical precision." Reviewers do suggest that capping the tip when done may take some practice (or glasses) since it's so thin. Additionally, the manufacturer makes no mention of whether fabrics treated with hypocement can be washed, so you may want to avoid washing them just to be safe.
Helpful Amazon review: "The fine applicator tip allows for extreme accuracy when working with small stones. Also very durable."
5. Glue for rhinestones on leather and suede
- Drying time: depends on the amount of glue applied
- Curing time: 24 hours
To achieve a strong, flexible hold between rhinestones and leather or suede without discoloring the material , you'll need a glue specifically designed for leather and suede. This non-toxic Aleene glue remains flexible to the material, dries clear, and Aleene promises it won't stain fabrics. Your rhinestones will be permanently bonded but are not washable, and the brand recommends dry cleaning if you want to clean the leather. The drying time varies according to the amount of glue applied, and the curing time is 24 hours. The tip can be customized with scissors, so you can cut off the top ridge indicator for a more precise glue flow, or the bottom ridge for a thicker, more consistent glue flow. The support it provides is so powerful that one critic called the bond "scientific magic."
Helpful Amazon review: "Works great! I used it to adhere rhinestones to leather and it worked really well and dried very clean."
Not bad: mending rhinestones
Another way to attach rhinestones to fabric (without gluing) is to use heat-repair rhinestones, like this set from Worthofbest , which includes everything you need to set them up. It comes with an assortment of rhinestones in various colors and sizes, a wire brush, tweezers, wax stone picker, applicator pen, applicator tip, metal stand, zipper bag for storage, and manual. Simply place the rhinestones, heat them with the applicator for 15 seconds, and the stones will harden on the fabric within 24 hours of application. However, you can only use heated applicator pens with heat-healing rhinestones. You can wash fabrics with heat repair stones stuck on them, but if you're using a washing machine, choose the gentle wash cycle and skip the dryer. In terms of placement, the brand promises you can apply the stones to clothing, denim, jeans, leather, and shoes.
Helpful Amazon Review: "I'm so happy I purchased this Patch Rhinestone Applicator and everything that comes with it. It makes designing my designs so easy. It's perfect for applying rhinestones to those awkward spots because The applicator cone has a variety of heated attachments. It heats up quickly and the variety of rhinestones it comes with is a definite must-have for my fellow crafters.”
Also great: self-adhesive rhinestones
Add just the right pop to your projects with these self-adhesive rhinestones. 365 stickers are available in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. They're not meant for long-term storage or in the laundry, but they are easy to apply and remove without leaving a residue. Several reviewers mentioned how vivid and shiny the rhinestones look, and some suggested adding glue to the adhesive base if you wanted to stick them to the fabric more permanently.
Helpful Amazon Review: “They sparkle like glass and stick to any surface! The colors are bright and stunning! Available in a variety of sizes and shapes […] I have purchased these 2 times and will Order more! I get so many compliments on the many ways I can use them to create my own unique style! They are versatile little [gems]”
