Adventures in leather

I pulled out my large bag of leather scraps last night and proceeded to cut out one glove from a lovely deep red leather. The palms, fourchettes (the bits between the fingers I think that's the right word) and the thumb all cut out in inventive ways.

What I did was cut the fourchettes for the last three fingers a little longer than my pattern, because on my test-glove made from linen those fingers are a bit tight.

I also extended the cuff straight from the widest part of the hand, rather than angle it out as I intend to fold it down then back up on itself for that early-to-mid 16th Century look. Check out Charles de Solier by Holbein and his gloves for example. I'm gonna be cutting into mine that way too, yes I will.

Now, the observant will have noted I said I cut out one glove. I wanted to test the pattern in leather once before I cut into my lovely cream coloured leather I got for the purpose of glovemaking. Also, making one glove means I can keep it and give it out as a favour if ever I need to. It's pretty (let's hope) and it's period. So now I'm going to dig up something to watch or an audiobook to listen to, then I'll assemble a glove!

Glove pattern

There it is - my pattern. Err. Maybe would've been more useful with measurements on it, but to fit you, you have to do the process of making a pattern.

Glove progress

I've been working diligently and I've now got two and a half fingers done. The other finger and a half to go, then I can stitch up the thumb and insert it in the glove and, well, and then it'll be done.

I can tell right away that what I want to be doing is to make my finger bits, fourchettes or whatever, longer than my pattern as a general rule. By about 2 cm. That way, I can trim them down to the appropriate size in situ. Also, leather stretches in strange and interesting ways, so some of the sides aren't quite matching up the way I'd like them to. Nothing major, but a little annoying. I think I will also want to widen the middle-finger portion of my glove pattern, as that finger is a little snug, compared to the index-finger despite me having to cut the front and back as two pieces and not on a fold.

See, I knew it would be a good idea to do a trial run in leather first. I am currently using black linen thread and backstitching on my seams - I don't know what to use really, so I just defaulted to that stitch. I suppose I should be working a shoemaker's stitch with two needles, but that seems excessive, and my running stitches tends to make things bunch up.

Success!

Coming in at seven minutes before the clap of midnight and my one red glove is finished. It is a bit tight in a few places, the aforementioned fingers and also the thumb piece is a little too short, and I've learned the valueable lesson to rotate the thumb in towards the palm on my actual gloves. The trank needs to be a bit longer than the one I cut as well - but the general idea and shape of it works brilliantly. The suede inside makes the folds stay put. Lots of traction.

They would look a little better if my stitches were completely even, but my stitches never are.

It looks like your average glove, though. Not bad at all. I feel quite pleased with my effort.