Best Way to Glue Felt to Wood: Tips & Guide for Gluing

 When it comes to the best way to attach felt to a piece of wood, finding the right glue is essential. Whether you’re crafting a felt board, upgrading a piece of furniture, or tackling a DIY project with intricate shapes, the key to success lies in choosing a good quality, strong adhesive that bonds felt to wood securely. From the quick convenience of a hot glue gun to the precision of spray glue, there's a method to each that offers its advantages for different felt projects. In this tutorial, we'll cover all types of glue—from fabric glue to wood glue, rubber cement, and contact cement—so you can achieve the best results, avoid only problems, and have a bond that will really last.

Felt Types: Tackling Quality

The beginning of any felt craft is, naturally, the felt. Quality felt—typically made from natural or designer synthetic fibers—is what gives you a smoother finish and better bonding surface. Whether slate repair billiard cloth or general craft felt for ornaments, a flat, smooth pressing ensures an even glue layer and prevents skew surfaces.

Felt surfaces vary from thick & fuzzy to thin & smooth. Thicker felt will hide minor imperfections in the wood, but harder to glue cleanly. Thin felt will not curl up but needs to be more precise. With small projects, the thickness of the felt plays a big part in choosing between adhesives like super glue or hot gun.
Wood Surfaces Matter

The nature of your wood surface—hardwood, soft pine, particle board, or MDF—dictates glue choice. A smooth surface, like sanded hardwood, is ideal. Bumpy or rough surfaces may need prep: sanding, cleaning off, or even primer. For a smooth surface, adhesives like spray glue are wonderful. For porous wood, wood glue or PVA wicks in and forms an incredibly stronger bond.

The Best Adhesive Choices:

1. Hot Glue Gun (best glue for quick work)

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks are probably the best option in terms of speed and convenience. It provides a strong hold, dries instantly, and is ideal for detailed tasks or even really teeny jobs. Hot glue is compatible with good-quality felt as well as natural wood surfaces. Watch out with high heat, however; high heat will buckle thin wood or incinerate fine felt.

Ease of use is unmatched: load a glue stick, heat up, apply—in beads or dots—press felt down, and you’re done. Perfect for smaller areas or accent pieces, and because of its fast dry time, it’s ideal for time-sensitive craft projects. Just watch out for bulk glue buildup under the felt—use a minimal amount for a thin layer and clean finish.

2. Fabric Glue – A Clean and Flexible Option

Fabric glue is a good option when you're working on a felt craft project that requires flexibility and minimal mess. Unlike hot glue, it doesn't harden into bumps or leave visible traces under thin felt. Most fabric glues dry clear, remain flexible, and work well on a variety of surfaces—including wood surfaces that are smooth, sealed, or lightly sanded.

This glue is ideal for felt boards, drawer linings, decorative plaques, or art canvases where a strong bond is needed but stiffness isn't. To apply, spread a thin layer with a foam brush or your finger (wearing gloves), then gently press the felt onto the piece of wood. Let it dry flat under a book or weight for a long time (often up to 24 hours) for best results.

Bonus: many fabric glues are non-toxic and washable, making them great for kids’ projects.

3. Spray Glue – Best for Large or Even Surfaces

When working with large areas, spray glue (like 3M Spray Adhesive) is your go-to adhesive. It allows you to apply an even layer of glue across large projects without globs or clumps. Perfect for covering entire felt boards, wood panels, or lining shelves with felt.

To use, shake the can, spray lightly on both the wood surface and the back of the felt (follow manufacturer instructions), wait until the glue is tacky, then press the pieces together. Use a roller or your hands to smooth everything out, starting from the center and working outward to prevent bubbles.

Just be sure to spray in a well-ventilated area—it's fast and neat but can have a strong odor.

Pro tip: For best results, mask off any parts of the wood you don't want glued using painter's tape or cardboard.

4. Wood Glue / White Glue (PVA or Elmer's)

If you already have wood glue or white glue (like Elmer's) in your toolbox, you can use it for felt-to-wood bonding—though with some caveats. These adhesives are to soak into porous wood fibers, creating a tight designed grip. But because felt is not absorbent in the same way, you'll need to apply a thin coat and press firmly.

Let dry for a long time, preferably with the felt pressed down under a flat surface or weight. The result is a strong bond, but the glue may stiffen the felt or soak through if applied too thick.

Choose PVA glue if you're crafting something flat and decorative, like felt signs, photo frames, or wooden coasters.

No matter what type of glue you choose, the best way to glue felt to a piece of wood starts with good prep and the right technique. This method works whether you're using fabric glue, a hot glue gun, or spray glue. Here’s how to get the best results every time.

 

• Insert hot glue sticks into the gun and wait 3–5 minutes for it to heat. 
• Apply glue in small sections and immediately press the felt piece down. 
• Smooth out with your hand or a flat surface. 
• Tip: For larger pieces, work in rows to prevent premature hardening. 
• (Insert your photo here showing you gluing felt to a board with hot glue!) 

• Apply a thin layer using a foam brush or straight from the bottle. 
• Avoid soaking the felt—this prevents seep-through. 
• Gently press onto the wood surface, starting from the center. 
• Use a rolling pin or heavy book to press evenly. 
• Dry time: 4–24 hours depending on brand. 
• (Insert your second photo here using Elmer's / PVA glue on felt!) 

• Shake the can well. 
• Lightly spray the entire surface of the particle board or wood. 
• Spray the back of the felt, too (for stronger results). 
• Wait 30–60 seconds until tacky, then apply. 
• Press with your hands or a clean cloth for a smooth surface.