How to Test Glue Before Using it on Clothing

That denim jacket accented with an array of sparkling rhinestones can be yours, as long as you find a glue that sticks the stones properly on the jacket. Rather than going through your entire project only to leave a trail of falling-off rhinestones in your wake and ruining the jacket, you can test glue before using it on clothing with a few simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric or clothing item
• Glue
• Item you're gluing

1. Find a piece of fabric made of the same material as the clothing you are going to use the glue on. If that’s not possible, use an inside corner of the clothing item. Wash the fabric or the article.

2. Gather the items you are going to glue onto the clothing, such as an array of rhinestones.

3. Buy a quality fabric glue or an all-purpose glue that is not water soluble.

4. Take a sample of one of the items, such as a rhinestone, and glue onto the sample fabric or inside of the item. In this case, glue one of the rhinestones into an inside bottom corner or beneath the back lip of the collar of the jean jacket.

5. Allow glue to dry then abuse, twist, wash and dry the fabric as you would during normal wearing.

6. If the item stays stuck and the fabric is not discolored, stained or eaten away by the glue, you’re good to go on with your project. If not, find another type of glue and test again.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need the item you tested gluing on fabric, simply cut it off the fabric, leaving as little of the fabric remnants as possible.
• We often use way more glue than necessary, leaving big chunks surrounding the item. Be frugal.