Dress Up Gloves

Whether you're an ice queen or a prom queen these gloves are sure to be a hit! This instructable uses stretchy materials to make fitting the gloves very easy. This is a project that is washable, easily customized to any outfit and can be completed in under and hour! No print out pattern required and only simple sewing skills will allow you to execute these gloves like a pro!

*** A few tips to be successful with your gloves

Fabric selection is key! These gloves require stretchy fabric, also called knit fabric. Knit fabrics come in many varieties, what you are looking for in your gloves is a good amount of stretch, not too thin, and that the fabric snaps back when you stretch it. Generally cotton knits are not great for this because once they stretch they do not get their shape back quickly so avoid that. Generally anything with spandex mixed in the blend of fibers is good. You can find this information on the end of the bolt of fabric at the fabric store.

Sewing stretchy fabric is NOT difficult at all. I like to use a triple stretch stitch on my sewing machine, but it is not necessary. Check your sewing machine manual to see if your machine has a special stitch for knit fabrics. If it doesn't, it is no problem, you can use a tight zig zag stitch, or even a serger. I have completed these gloves with a regular straight stitch, washed them and worn them with no problems. If you have good quality thread and fabric, it will be fine.

Step 1: Gathering Materials - Making Your Pattern

Materials

• 1/2 meter of stretchy (knit) material
• sewing machine
• scissors
• pen
• paper
• pins
• Fancy lace, elastic, tulle or anything else you want to embellish the gloves with

Making Your Pattern

Trace the hand (of the person the gloves are for) onto a piece of paper. Leave out the thumb, when they move their hand, draw a straight line to connect the outline. Trace the thumb separately, as shown in the photo. Make sure to trace up the arm as far as you want the gloves to go. You may need a larger piece of paper if you want the gloves to go all the way up the arm.

Cutting Out the Pattern

Now draw an outline around the first one you drew. Draw the second outline (just approximate, no real measuring required) 1/4 around the original line. Do this for both the glove and the thumb pieces. Cut out the pattern pieces from the paper.

Step 2: Cutting the Fabric

Arrange your fabric so that it is folded in half (making 2 layers). Make sure your fabric is smooth, no wrinkles or creases. Lay your glove pattern you cut in the previous step onto your fabric.

IMPORTANT - your fabric will probably stretch more one way, than another. You can determine which way your fabric stretches best by simply tugging one direction, then turn your fabric and tug the other way. Normally stretch knit fabric will stretch more in one direction. You NEED to place your pattern pieces so that the stretch will go across the hand. This will ensure your glove will stretch around your fingers without busting the seams. *See picture for details/example*

Once you have cut one glove, flip the pattern paper over on the fabric and cut another glove. This ensures you have a left handed and a right handed glove.

Do the same thing for the thumb piece. You may want to pin your pieces to keep them from sliding around while you sew in the next step.

Step 3: Sewing the Glove

Make sure your fabric is right sides together, in other words put the pretty sides of the fabric touching each other, so you are sewing on what will be the inside. Sew along the edge of your glove, 1/4 from the edge, all the way around. Do not sew the end where your wrist goes in (you wouldn't be able to wear the glove!). Do not leave an space for the thumb (we will get to that).

Sew both your gloves like this. Next, sew your thumb pieces (again right sides together) and do not sew the thumb closed. Just like the glove, leave the opening un-sewn so you will be able to insert your thumb.

Turn your glove right side out now to make sure you have not missed any spots and created a hole.

Step 4: Inserting the Thumb

On the palm side of your glove, measure one inch down from the base of the index finger, and 1/2 inch from the edge of the glove. Mark with a pencil a line that starts there and goes down approx 1 inch or 1.5 inch depending on the size of your thumb. (Check your thumb piece to see that it sits by measuring the base of the pattern piece and making sure the line you drew is close to that size).

Use scissors to cut along that line. Only cut through one side of the glove (make sure it is in the palm of your glove and not the top).

Turn the glove inside out. Do not turn the thumb piece inside out. Insert the thumb into the glove and have the un-sewn ends come through the hole you cut. Turn the thumb piece until the thumb is positioned correctly (pointing up like the other fingers). I like to pin the thumb piece in the hole and sew 1/4 from the edge again. I sew this part by hand so that I do not have to try to get it under my sewing machine. This is a personal choice.

Turn the glove right side out and check that your thumb seam has no holes. Complete for both gloves.

Step 5: Finishing Your Glove

You could leave your gloves the way they are at this step. A good quality knit (stetchy) fabric will not fray, so finishing the ends is your choice. For the gloves I have made, I use leftover trim from the matching dress to embellish.

Finishes you could do:

Fold over the fabric and sew a hem

Add a coloured elastic for a contrast of colour

Stretchy lace trim

Tulle that has been bunched.

*A tip - If you are sewing fabric that is not stretchy, while attaching your embellishment, stretch the glove fabric slightly. otherwise it could stop the opening from stretching and could make your gloves not fit.

*If you are making full length (past your elbows) type of gloves, I suggest adding lingerie lace that has the rubber on the other side. This is special lace you can buy at the fabric store that has rubber lines on the underside that will prevent the gloves from rolling or shifting too much.