Can You Use Mod Podge on Fabric? Find Out How to Use

Are you interested in decoupage on fabric? Then go ahead with a new and exciting way to embellish your clothes. All you need to smear a fabric mod podge to fabric swatches or paper prints on any item you want. Simple!

Years ago, when decoupage was famous as a crafting trend, it seemed like a tedious and messy craft. Then came the Mod podge to rescue. It’s a water-based product having three-fold uses: Gluing up, sealing, and varnishing.

Thus, mod-podge adheres to any piece of porous material in no time and speeds up drying time.

But can you use mod podge on fabric? Well, it’s a big yes. It’s easy to apply a fabric mod podge and adhere fabric to fabric, wood, plastic, and some other materials. Even, I use mod podge on fabric for some DIY projects!

Most such all-in-one sealers and glue holds both surfaces tight giving you a durable result. You can cater to a variety of finish styles based on your choice: glossy or matte, hard coat, or slushy.

As you find your ideal fabric glue match, you get bogged down. It’s because you know nothing, about how to use or apply it. That’s why I’m are here with my fabric mod-podge quick guide to realize your classic decoupage dream.

Let’s grace the master in the craft of mod podge!

What is Mod Podge?

Mod podge sounds like a magical craft supply. Unfortunately, tons of craft persons keep asking what a mod-podge is precise. Well, it’s a decoupage medium. In the early 60s decoupaging became a trend.

But then cutting out scarp pieces, adhering these to surfaces, and varnishing them. Finally, all seemed messy and fretting. Spreading the regular glue took time to dry with more air to flow.

Fussy, right? That’s when pop up a revolutionary medium, the mod-podge. It’s a water-based formula that aids decoupaging. Thus it acts as a glue but seals and varnish too at the same time.

The use of mod-podge allows you to avoid mess and speeds up the crafting dry time too. Its first two original formulae were the gloss and matte ones. Then it evolved with more variety having hundreds of shades and finishes.

What is Mod Podge Used for?

Mod-podge is a medium that works as an all-in-one decoupage tool. It earns its popularity for versatility and stability. Basically, craft persons use it to adhere to any two surfaces. 

It acts in three forms:

• Glue: Using it, you could glue up materials such as fabric, paper, plastic, and so on with ease.
• Sealant: With its top layer, mod-podge seals out the surface and thus protects acrylic paint, stain, and fabrics
• Varnish: In the end, its texture works to offer a smooth finish that is durable plus dries fast.

You can adhere fabric, plastic, paper, or any porous material to any other surface. If you’re pulling out the scratch and want to glue it together for eternity, mod-podge is the thing for you. Decoupage artists use it to recreate their furniture, home décor, cover for pillows, t-shirts, masks, etc.

Can You Use Mod Podge on Fabric?

Mod-podge is a trendy art of decoupage that allows you to glue things up. You can use this technique on a large number of materials or surfaces, as well as fabric. There’s a special one too to adhere any small or big piece of cloth named fabric mod podge.

Using this, one can stick fabric to fabric or fabric to plastic, or even to wood and paper. If you’re willing to attach any part of the cloth to design your wooden furniture, this unique paste comes in handy. You won’t even need to fear messing up your task. It’s because its application is free of mess.

To many people, the mod-podge sounds like a usual type of glue. But trust me, it’s not. Well, what draws the line between the two is the extraordinary features of mod-podge added. It sticks fast pieces of cloth and creates a smooth coat of sealing on the top.

This layer seals in your adhesive, giving an extra sheen. Thus, protects whatever you’re gluing from the environment. You can use it for any of your craft projects that demand a tight fixing onto a surface. As a plus point, you get sealant for keeping your art piece safe.

Can You Use Regular Mod Podge on Fabric?

The use of mod podge is a smart idea to decoupage any piece of fabric in your home. But craft lovers often worry about going with the regular one while dealing with fabric or needing to use any special one. 

Well, your purpose of using will make the reply to your query. Any regular mod-podge sounds good when you are thinking of putting up scratch clothes. It’s true for one condition here. The fabric doesn’t ask to be tough.

For example, going for a simple DIY wall hanging letters or flags. However, sometimes durability turns out to be your top concern. So, if you bag a project relating to clothing, it’s better to move for fabric mod-podge instead of the regular one.

In the case of a pillow or shirt, pick the fabric. It’ll help you clean it washing any time. No stains or frays, for sure! It’ll win you 4 benefits over the ordinary one:

• The fabric mod podge can endure more, so it lasts longer.
• The formula for the clothing base is washable, so easy to clean and use.
• It acts as a tough glue and sealant at the same time.
• Permanent results ensured.

So, while opting for a mod-podge to glue fabric to fabric, you can use the regular mod podge. But you shouldn’t. It’s because it lacks washing ability and the effect soon vanishes. It won’t last long. Stability of fabric matters!

Read Next: How to make DIY fabric stiffeners

Fabric Mod Podge vs Regular Mod Podge

In terms of function, all mod podge performs the same way. Essentially, they are good at gluing up, sealing, and polishing. So how can you set apart a regular mod-podge from the fabric one?

Let’s bring the fact to you. Well, it’s the surface you’re using and the finish it offers that make the difference. A regular mod-podge has a formula that can bind two things when applied to wood, glass, paper, plastic, or metal. Moreover, it doesn’t even ward off fraying.

You’ll find it not working on pieces of clothing. It’s because the textile is soft and needs intensive care. You may damage it easily with the use of any slightest harsh element. So, when your base is a fabric, you need to opt for the fabric mod podge.

The formula suitable for fabric allows you to wash the items in a gentle cycle and use them. With its quick-drying nature, you can print permanent designs with more than one coat of glue and sealant. You can go for gluing up fabric appliques to any other fabric items.

Such as attaching fabric cutouts to shirts, pillows, or home décor.  A fabric mod-podge ensures a durable formula. So, if you don’t want to stay in dismay about fraying fabric, use this as a base coat for your cloth. Thus, you find no fray.

Can You Use Matte Mod Podge on Fabric?

Out of the two unique mod-podge methods, the matte one is a staple. As the light hits the matte layer, it spreads out. As a result, your surface gives a flat appearance with minimal shine.

If you’re a craft person who’s more into a simple yet basic look with no shine added, it’s your go-to finish. But you’re sure to wonder if it’ll be a suitable choice for your fabric too.

Well, our answers can clear your doubt indeed. Yes, it’s no issue using a matte type of mod-podge on any fabric. All of it will give you a classic matte finish with no shiny look.

After all, it’s your preference that matters. But there is one resulting muddle here. Let’s put it this way. As we’ve tidied up the idea before, such adhesive specific for fabric gives benefits of washing, unlike matte ones.

So, it’s a yes for a matte adhesive only if you’ve got the least fabric washing needs. Otherwise, you can end up fraying and ruining your piece of cloth.

How to Use Mod Podge on Fabric: Step by Step

Till now, we’ve claimed million times that it’s no big deal to mod-podge on any type of fabric. But you must be baffled thinking, about how to apply it and glue up a number of fabric pieces to the fabric. 

That’s why to ease your distress; we break it into a step-by-step application method. Follow it subsequently:

1. Take a piece of fabric and pre-wash it.
2. Dry and iron it to avoid any wrinkles on the surface.
3. Map a design and cut it precisely out of the fabric.
4. Place a wax paper right beneath the place you will decoupage your design to protect it from a mess.
5. Taking a brush with a thick tip, dip it into your adhesive container.
6. Spread it on the base fabric applying medium layers to cover the entire surface.
7. Press into the surface using the tips of the finger firmly yet gently.
8. Re-apply the second coat with a brush.
9. Let the piece dry and cure for at least 2 hours.
10. After it’s dried, wash it with cold water using your hands or go for a gentle cycle.  

Can I Mod Podge Fabric to Wood?

Most people opt for DIYs to make their home décor and furniture more stylish. For that, designing and decoupaging are now in vogue. And the fastest method is the use of mod podge.

Yes, you can adhere fabric to wood with its help, for sure. Mod-podge creates a strong bond between the wood and any piece of cloth. No wearing of any material is ensured!

It’s better to prep the fabric first using the same adhesive. As a result, your cloth won’t fray, taking a less floppy look. Thus, you get a consistent surface like paper.

The very first point you need to know to mod-podge fabric to wood is you’ll have to pour the decoupage medium on both surfaces. That is, on top of the wood and back of the fabric.

If your fabric is rough, you’ll first need to smooth it down. For that, it’s best to use a brayer. For the inner corners, you can work with a squeegee.

As you start brushing the mod podge, remember to apply a uniform layer. Be alert not to pool on the fabric or the wood. Otherwise, your fabric will turn harder at once and look shabby.

Read Next: Can you use E6000 on fabric

How to Mod Podge Fabric to Wood: Step by Step

To make your fabric to wood mod podge application a successful one, you need:

• A large foam-type brush
• A mat for cutting fabric
• A rotary cutter
• A transparent ruler
• A precision knife

Steps to Glue Wood and fabric Together Using a Mod-Podge:

1. First, measure the piece of wood you plan to apply the fabric.
2. Cut your fabric using a clear ruler and rotary cutter (It’s wise to cut it slightly wider than your measured size to cover it fully).
3. Pre-wash and iron the cloth to ensure no folds were left.
4. If it’s still uneven, prep using a brayer and smooth it down.
5. Grab a large foam brush and start applying a thin yet even layer of mod-podge to the wood and fabric.
6. Make sure you go even and fast with each section of fabric while brushing. Otherwise, it may harden.
7. When you add decoupage medium on both, lay the fabric on top of your wooden surface.
8. Press it down towards the edges, gently and evenly, using the tips of your fingers all over the fabric.
9. Leave it for 30 minutes to dry.
10. Remove the excess of your used cloth from the edges using the rotary cutter and precision knife.
11. Reapply in the same way for the topcoat to seal it well.
12. Cure time is not more than 2 hours.

Once it dries up entirely, you’re done!

How to Mod Podge Fabric to Plastic: Step by Step

Yes, this versatile mod-podge can adhere fabric with plastic too. Notable, isn’t it? It’s even simpler than you can imagine.

Tools and Materials You Will Need:

• Scrap fabric
• Mod podge
• Pencils
• Scissors
• Sponge brush

Let’s Break Down its Application Steps:

1. Trace your fabric with the measurements of your plastic surface using a pencil.
2. Cut out the pattern you desire with the help of scissors following the trace marks.
3. Put some of your mod podges directly on top of the plastic and bottom of the fabric.
4. Spread it evenly using a sponge brush on both materials one at a time.
5. Make sure to go quick with the glue application but not over-pooling it.
6. Press the fabric to your picked plastic surface carefully.
7. Give it a dry rest for 30-60 min.
8. Once thoroughly dried, trim off the excess part of the cloth if needed.
9. Go for a second coat to give it a protective layer.
10. Dry it once more, but this time for several hours.

And you’ll see how strongly the fabric stays bonded to the plastic!

Final Words

Can you use mod podge on fabric? Yes, for sure. The answer is no longer a mystery to you. We’ve solved each section of this fabric mod-podge puzzle to help you decoupage in no time.

A fabric mod-podge is an all-in-one adhesive. You can glue up your fabric to fabric, wood, plastic, and more. Works in an instant. A tour of our article will let you know the details of its versatile use and process of use.

So, gear up your crafting rhythm and tools to decoupage with mod podge and fabric!