Stitches for Gorgeous Gloves

The blanket-stitch is often thought to be the same stitch as the buttonhole stitch, but its not. It is a slightly easier version.

Burying-the-tail hides the thread and helps to secure the stitch inside the seam of glove.

A buttonhole stitch has a slight loop stitch that runs over the edge so the button doesnt hurt the stitch going in and out of the buttonhole.

The blanket-stitch is often thought to be the same stitch as the buttonhole stitch, but it's not. It is a slightly easier version.

Photo: Maryellen McGoldrick

In “Gorgeous Gloves” in Threads Issue 145, John Koch demonstrates how to sew custom-made gloves. Here are stitches you need to know when sewing gloves.

Buttonhole
Bury the knot between fabric layers, and stitch from the wrong side to the right side. Draw up the thread, move the needle over the edge to the back, and make the same stitch again close to the previous stitch. Before drawing up your thread, insert the needle through the loop from front to back. Repeat until finished. Keep the stitches the same length and the same distance apart.

Blanket
Bury the knot between layers, and take the needle out on the back. Wrap the thread over the edge, and insert the needle through the front with the thread under the needle point as shown. Draw up the thread and repeat until finished. Keep the stitches the same length and the same distance apart.

Whipstitch
Draw the needle from the wrong side through the fabric close to the edge. Wrap the thread over the edge and make the same stitch a short distance from the previous stitch. Repeat this stitch until you’ve finished overcasting the edge.

Hemstitch
Knot the thread and insert the needle from the wrong side to the right side close to the hem-allowance edge. Working right to left, pick up a few threads from the wrong side of the face fabric, and reinsert the needle through the wrong side as before. Repeat until finished.

Double guard stitch
This stitch is used to secure subsequent stitching (typically when sewing the thumb). Draw knotted thread from inside the thumb and make a small stitch across the very beginning of the thumb-piece fold. From that point on, continue to stabstitch.

Stitch knot
Draw the needle to the inside of the glove. Take a tiny stitch or run the needle under a nearby stitch. Pull the needle through loop once or twice, and draw up slowly until snug. Bury the tail if possible, and trim the excess thread.

Bury the tail
After knotting the thread, secure the thread end to prevent the knot from coming undone. To bury the tail, by tie off the thread, run the needle under two or three nearby stitches on the inside of the glove, and trim off the excess.

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Posted on Aug 25th, 2009 in online extras, gloves, stitches

Comments (5)

peej2 writes: I have my Threads compilation DVD and the stitches. Had the pattern enlarged at Kinko's and cannot wait to start making gloves for me, my mom, and sisters.
Posted: 9:52 pm on March 19th

LaurieScott writes: Everything seems great! I am looking forward to making them. I love the zebra gloves because I see the world as being dynamic. I am curious about stiches that are concealed like those I have on my leather gloves. Is there a fell stitch that would suffuce? I prefer a smooth inconspicuous seam. Just curious?
Posted: 7:56 pm on October 12th

LebecEgirl writes: I am going to try to make a pair...hopefully, it will turn out so good that I will make some for gifts! Thanks for sharing the sewing techniques for making gloves.
Posted: 5:24 pm on September 7th

mizwing writes: I am so excited about these patterns and stitches! I can't wait to get started. I miss wearing gloves and look forward to making many for myself and for gifts! And I'm going to try making some of these fingerless as well.....
~m.
Posted: 2:36 pm on September 2nd

MissKathy writes: Thank you so much. I've been looking for a pattern to make my family gloves.
Posted: 10:30 am on August 29th

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