<p>You have quite a few options:</p>

<ul>
<li><p><strong>PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue</strong> (a.k.a. 'school glue', 'wood glue', or 'carpenter’s glue'; a type of white glue that dries transparent. Furthermore, it's non-toxic, easy to apply, affordable, has water resistant variants (that deter mould and the like), fast-drying, and has a high holding strength. <sup><a href="https://sawsview.com/pva-glue/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">source</a></sup></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Dilute the glue using equal parts of glue and water and mix
  continuously to obtain a paste with an even consistency. Apply the
  glue with a paintbrush. Craft the fabric into the desired shape and
  leave to dry. Apply more coats, depending on how stiff you want your
  material to be. 
  <br>Another way to stiffen the fabric is to immerse it into a bucket filled with diluted glue. The solution can be more or less concentrated, depending on the effects you want to obtain. Squeeze the fabric to remove the excess solution, shape it and allow to dry. <sup><a href="https://www.ehow.com/info_12025850_ways-stiffen-fabric.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">source</a></sup></p>
</blockquote></li>
<li><p><strong>GAC 400</strong> (from Golden Artist Colors; an acrylic polymer). A commercial product specifically aimed at <a href="https://www.justpaint.org/gac-400-fabric-and-paper-stiffener/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">giving permanent shape</a> to paper and fabrics:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Stiffens natural fibers and fabrics and is useful for stiffening
  unprimed canvas or sculpting and shaping fabric. Fibers saturated with
  GAC 400 will dry to a hard, stiff film. <sup><a href="https://www.goldenpaints.com/products/medium-gels-pastes/special-purpose-mediums" rel="nofollow noreferrer">source</a></sup></p>
</blockquote>

<p>It can be heat-set, to increase its permanency and stiffness.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Fabric stiffeners</strong> for crafting purposes (like <em>Mod-Podge 'Stiffy'</em> (great marketing there)). Apply with a brush onto the shaped fabric, or immerse the fabric and directly apply it to the mould. 
<br>See <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmXGsLA4NxM" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyPAQM7bzcI" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> for examples.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Wallpaper paste</strong> (methylcellulose). Again: apply with a brush onto the shaped fabric, or immerse the fabric and directly apply it to the mould.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Liquid Starch</strong> (corn or potato starch, or commercial products such as <em>Sta-Flo</em>). Mix with water, and, again, apply with a brush onto the shaped fabric, or immerse the fabric and directly apply it to the mould. Apparently this is also used to give denim jeans heavier wear (fading/creasing). <a href="https://www.heddels.com/2011/03/should-raw-denim-jeans-be-starched/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">This post</a> on that process shows a pair of jeans standing up by themselves, so I guess this a good option. <a href="https://craftingagreenworld.com/articles/diy-natural-fabric-stiffeners/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Here</a> are some recipes for making the glue.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Skin glue</strong>: another traditional, organic, gelatine-like glue, made from skin and bones of rabbits, hares, and other animals. It usually comes in small grains or powder, which can be found in artist shops. Mixing it with water and heating it up yields a very strong, slightly yellow drying glue. I use it regularly in my artistic work to stiffen fabric, and it's wonderful stuff (as long as it doesn't go bad). <br>See <a href="https://www.naturalpigments.com/rabbit-skin-glue.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this link</a> for more information on the preparation (and/or ask here if you have any more questions). Once more: you can soak the cloth in the glue solution, or apply it with a brush. It is, however, relatively sensitive to moist.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Epoxy resin</strong>: more information following.</p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-04T07:06:49.583Z
You should add epoxy resin to your list. Fabric drenched in epoxy becomes almost plastic-like when cured. It's absolutely waterproof and could be displayed outside without taking damage. OP only needs to take care using a UV-stable epoxy or it might become yellow over time.
Elmy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-04T11:25:48.690Z
Wow! Thanks so much guys, loads to work with here.
Rich M
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-15T20:54:54.643Z
This is a wonderful list - thank you. If you were to use it on wearable fabric what is best? (least toxic, not stinky but strong in terms of keeping shape/stiffness)
Alina
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-03T16:32:42.307Z
2019-04-04T11:23:32.350Z
2019-04-04T11:23:32.350Z
Joachim
<p>I'm after a glue to stiffen some fabric into a specific shape. I have tried a couple but they do not stiffen the fabric enough as I'm after a fairly solid finish. It needs to be reasonably resistant to UV too.</p>

<p>I'm making a model of a paraglider and want to use the fabric for the wing. I want it to have a curved shape along both axes, I've found something which has the shape I want and am trying to place the fabric on top and then coat with the glue to fix the shape. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-03T11:44:16.137Z
For what purpose do you need the fabric stiffened? Is it for wearable clothing, or to display?
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-03T13:39:42.767Z
@Joachim, thanks for your response. I'm making a model of a paraglider and want to use the fabric for the wing. I want it to have a curved shape along both axes, I've found something which has the shape I want and am trying to place the fabric on top and then coat with the glue to fix the shape.
Rich M
<adhesives><fabric>
Which glue should I use for fabric-shaping?
Rich M
# Which glue should I use for fabric-shaping?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-04-03)

I'm after a glue to stiffen some fabric into a specific shape. I have tried a couple but they do not stiffen the fabric enough as I'm after a fairly solid finish. It needs to be reasonably resistant to UV too.

I'm making a model of a paraglider and want to use the fabric for the wing. I want it to have a curved shape along both axes, I've found something which has the shape I want and am trying to place the fabric on top and then coat with the glue to fix the shape.

**Tags:** adhesives, fabric

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: For what purpose do you need the fabric stiffened? Is it for wearable clothing, or to display?  
> **username_0**: @username_1, thanks for your response. I'm making a model of a paraglider and want to use the fabric for the wing. I want it to have a curved shape along both axes, I've found something which has the shape I want and am trying to place the fabric on top and then coat with the glue to fix the shape.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-04-03. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

You have quite a few options:

* **PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue** (a.k.a. 'school glue', 'wood glue', or 'carpenter’s glue'; a type of white glue that dries transparent. Furthermore, it's non-toxic, easy to apply, affordable, has water resistant variants (that deter mould and the like), fast-drying, and has a high holding strength. [source](https://sawsview.com/pva-glue/)

  > Dilute the glue using equal parts of glue and water and mix
  > continuously to obtain a paste with an even consistency. Apply the
  > glue with a paintbrush. Craft the fabric into the desired shape and
  > leave to dry. Apply more coats, depending on how stiff you want your
  > material to be.
  >   
  > Another way to stiffen the fabric is to immerse it into a bucket filled with diluted glue. The solution can be more or less concentrated, depending on the effects you want to obtain. Squeeze the fabric to remove the excess solution, shape it and allow to dry. [source](https://www.ehow.com/info_12025850_ways-stiffen-fabric.html)
* **GAC 400** (from Golden Artist Colors; an acrylic polymer). A commercial product specifically aimed at [giving permanent shape](https://www.justpaint.org/gac-400-fabric-and-paper-stiffener/) to paper and fabrics:

  > Stiffens natural fibers and fabrics and is useful for stiffening
  > unprimed canvas or sculpting and shaping fabric. Fibers saturated with
  > GAC 400 will dry to a hard, stiff film. [source](https://www.goldenpaints.com/products/medium-gels-pastes/special-purpose-mediums)

  It can be heat-set, to increase its permanency and stiffness.
* **Fabric stiffeners** for crafting purposes (like *Mod-Podge 'Stiffy'* (great marketing there)). Apply with a brush onto the shaped fabric, or immerse the fabric and directly apply it to the mould.
    
  See [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmXGsLA4NxM) and [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyPAQM7bzcI) for examples.
* **Wallpaper paste** (methylcellulose). Again: apply with a brush onto the shaped fabric, or immerse the fabric and directly apply it to the mould.
* **Liquid Starch** (corn or potato starch, or commercial products such as *Sta-Flo*). Mix with water, and, again, apply with a brush onto the shaped fabric, or immerse the fabric and directly apply it to the mould. Apparently this is also used to give denim jeans heavier wear (fading/creasing). [This post](https://www.heddels.com/2011/03/should-raw-denim-jeans-be-starched/) on that process shows a pair of jeans standing up by themselves, so I guess this a good option. [Here](https://craftingagreenworld.com/articles/diy-natural-fabric-stiffeners/) are some recipes for making the glue.
* **Skin glue**: another traditional, organic, gelatine-like glue, made from skin and bones of rabbits, hares, and other animals. It usually comes in small grains or powder, which can be found in artist shops. Mixing it with water and heating it up yields a very strong, slightly yellow drying glue. I use it regularly in my artistic work to stiffen fabric, and it's wonderful stuff (as long as it doesn't go bad).   
  See [this link](https://www.naturalpigments.com/rabbit-skin-glue.html) for more information on the preparation (and/or ask here if you have any more questions). Once more: you can soak the cloth in the glue solution, or apply it with a brush. It is, however, relatively sensitive to moist.
* **Epoxy resin**: more information following.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: You should add epoxy resin to your list. Fabric drenched in epoxy becomes almost plastic-like when cured. It's absolutely waterproof and could be displayed outside without taking damage. OP only needs to take care using a UV-stable epoxy or it might become yellow over time.  
> **username_0**: Wow! Thanks so much guys, loads to work with here.  
> **username_3**: This is a wonderful list - thank you. If you were to use it on wearable fabric what is best? (least toxic, not stinky but strong in terms of keeping shape/stiffness)  

---

