Glove Making

Rosie · Jun 7, 2006

I bought a pair of very dirty white gloves to use as a pattern for other gloves. So, now I've teken them apart but I'm thinking, what might make a good material, other than leather for gloves? Most of my dress gloves are cotton I would assume, I have some in satin but, if making them on my own, what should I go for? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Snookie · Jun 7, 2006

I don't know anything specifically about period gloves and appropriate fabrics, but as far as fit goes, make sure to take into account the amount of stretch (or lack of) the original gloves had. If the originals were leather or woven fabric, substituting a knit or some laces will make baggy gloves, and the reverse will make gloves that are too tight.

How about making some gloves that coordinate perfectly with a favorite dress/handbag/shoes? (either the same fabric or coordinating) I think making stuff is the most fun when you do something that can't be found ANYWHERE!

Etienne · Jun 7, 2006

Hi, Rosie! What size gloves do you wear? I noticed the other day you posted something about gloves and I buy gloves on eBay at times, too! I was in an antique store in Alexandria, VA last week and they had gloves "forms" and glove patterns in one of the booths. So interesting! I am dying to collect gloves in a few specific colors--I have the requisite white, black, navy, gray, even rose--I need colors like true red, royal blue, hunter green in a 71/2. SO hard to find! And glove fabrics are so unusual sometimes--thick, yet a tad stretchy cottons and rayons. I love the ones with the sort of "pinked" edging around the fingers and top-stitching!

Rosie · Jun 7, 2006

Hi Snookie, exactly what you said is what I've been thinking (coordinating to dresses, suits), however, I think it might be weird to make gloves out of rayon or that type of dress material. Like Etienne says, most gloves tend to be made of this thickish material, I assume it's some kind of cotton knit. I think gloves made form a dress like material may not last long or wear well, you know, just because they seem thin.

Hi Etienne! I wear a size 7.5 or 8 glove. Lately on ebay there has been a big listing of bigger sizes and so I've been snatching some up. I have the basic colors to: white, off white, black, etc. I recently bought a lot of gloves that included very pretty lavender and the softest pink. I bought another lot just the other day which included red (you and I were thinking the same thing) yellow and a royal blue, I'm hoping they fit properly, if they are too small for me, I'll pass them on to you.

I would love a glove pattern, that's part of the reason I bought the gloves I took apart, so that I could have a pattern to make other gloves but I'm not sure what that thickish, sort of stretchy kind of material is. I'll let you know about the gloves when I get them.

Katydid · Jun 7, 2006

Rosie said:
Hi Snookie, exactly what you said is what I've been thinking (coordinating to dresses, suits), however, I think it might be weird to make gloves out of rayon or that type of dress material. Like Etienne says, most gloves tend to be made of this thickish material, I assume it's some kind of cotton knit. I think gloves made form a dress like material may not last long or wear well, you know, just because they seem thin.

Hi Rosie, just to cut in real quick. I recently bought a pair of NOS red and white gloves made of rayon. They feel and look great. Since they're NOS I couldn't tell you how they held up but if I have a problem with them I'll let you know. I would say not to be afraid to experiment. Sometimes when I knit, I'll stray to yarns that I might not think of as being good for a pattern but it comes out looking pretty good.

Annalai · Jun 7, 2006

Hi all,

A link to free book about how to make gloves
http://vintagesewing.info/1950s.html
They also have books about making hats and clothes.

Annalai

ITG · Jun 7, 2006

This begs the question-How do you determine your glove size? There must be an easy way? measureing the wrist or some part of the hand?

jitterbugdoll · Jun 7, 2006

How to Determine Proper Glove Size
Measure (with soft tape measure) around the palm-knuckles, excluding the thumb. Keep the tape snug, but do not pull tightly. Match your measurement to the chart below for proper 'size'. "Width" in each description is for the width of the glove itself, which is only one-half of the total glove measurement. Keep in mind that some hands are longer than others, so note the middle "finger" length that is given.

If Hand Measures: Ladies Glove Size: = Or = Size:
5 to 5 1/2 inches 5 - 5 1/2 X Small
6 to 7 inches 6 - 6 1/2 Small
7 1/2 to 8 inches 7 - 7 1/2 Medium
8 1/2 to 9 inches 8 - 8 1/2 Large
9 1/2 to 10 inches 9 X Large

jitterbugdoll · Jun 7, 2006

Hi Rosie, just to cut in real quick. I recently bought a pair of NOS red and white gloves made of rayon. They feel and look great. Since they're NOS I couldn't tell you how they held up but if I have a problem with them I'll let you know. I would say not to be afraid to experiment. Sometimes when I knit, I'll stray to yarns that I might not think of as being good for a pattern but it comes out looking pretty good.

I have a few pairs of 1940s-50s gloves made from rayon and nylon jersey knits--they do hold up well over time and are quite strong.

My other pairs are made from a thicker cotton weave, and they seem to hold up equally well.

decodoll · Jun 7, 2006

I wish you'd posted this thread about a month back! There were two BIN auctions up for vintage rayon jersey glove fabric. They were really reasonable too. I was very tempted to buy them, but I have way too much fabric as it is and no plans to make gloves, so for once I decided to be good. They didn't sell, so you might keep an eye out for vintage rayon jersey to see if she relists. I wish I remembered her username. These were specifically meant for gloves and the fabric was a very narrow width.

Rosie · Jun 7, 2006

Wow

Annalai- Thanks! I saw that page which made me take the gloves apart, I was too lazy to follow their directions.

Jitterbugdoll & Katydid - Thanks for that info, I've never seen gloves made from anything other than that thickish I guess cotton knit, lace and satin. I'll give it a try and see how well I do.

Decodoll- I'll definitely be on the look out for that listing. I hope its up again.

Thanks ladies, you're all such big helps!

colleency · Jun 7, 2006

I'm taking a glove-making class at costume college. If you're still looking for tips at the beginning of August, I'll be glad to share what I learn.

Rosie · Jun 7, 2006

Thanks, that would be great, share the wealth!

Vanessa · Jun 7, 2006

colleency said:
I'm taking a glove-making class at costume college. If you're still looking for tips at the beginning of August, I'll be glad to share what I learn.

Ah! Jealous! I'm on the waiting list for that one.

colleency · Jun 7, 2006

I'm on the waiting list for sleeve blocks.

decodoll · Jun 21, 2006

I had forgotten that Pattern Studio carries vintage fabric and supplies for glove making until I went over looking for something else. You might want to take a look.

colleency · Aug 10, 2006

The glove making class at Costume College was great, but I'm not sure exactly what tips I can pass along.

Putting the thumb in was very bizarre. I had to have it described, see a pattern, and actually do it before I really figured it out. It's put in sort of upside-down and backwards and turned as you sew. I also didn't realize that the front of the hand and the back of the hand are different "depths" at the base of the finger, due to the web between your fingers.

I don't believe anyone in the 5-hour class got further than putting in the thumb and index finger, but I'm now confident in my ability to hand-sew gloves.

If you can't get to Costume College and into the class next year, the instructor is planning to come out with a pattern. She took all our email addresses, so I believe she will let us know when it's out.

If anyone has any specific questions, I can try to answer them.

mysterygal · Aug 10, 2006

sounds like it may just be easier to buy them! I'll have to try on my daughter to see how I do..it sounds a little complicated though

Rosie · Aug 10, 2006

I cut out a pattern from an old pair of gloves and threw it in the "to sew" pile but haven't tried it yet. But MysteryGal's right, sounds easier to just buy them lol. Thanks for sharing Colleen.

Caledonia · Aug 15, 2006

I'm flipping between buying and sewing too. Some of the gloves I've bought are seamed on the outside which looks pretty easy, and every so often a shirt or jacket or something will just get past wearing and yet there's all that lovely glove sized material sitting there! And slipper material too, and underwear (got my eye on a couple of husband's silk shirts that have definitely seen better days!). And it's so hard to find some of the 30s and 40s detailing either vintage or in modern gloves, like the big gauntlet styles, or all those fantastic cuff applications. Think I'll have to try it.

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