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Gallery of Gorgeous Gloves by John Koch

Neat stab stitches sewn by hand hold all of the seams together.
Many of these gloves are flamboyant, but here is a stately glove.
These gloves have the essence of Art Deco design.
You can use any sewing trick to embellish your gloves. Here fabric inserts add drama.
No zebras were harmed in making these gloves.
Architectural applique is applied while the glove is still flat fabric.
A synthtic fabric like this doe skin knit looks quite rich as a glove.
This collection of gloves is made from a fine polar fleece. Hmm warm and toasty.
Here silk leaves were appliqued onto the gloves for an autumn look.
This elegant pair combines silk petals and beaded accents.
Appliques, inserts, beading, the skys the limit with how you can embellish a pair of gloves.
Multicolored applique brings natural elements into a  beautiful contemporary style.
Neat stab stitches sewn by hand hold all of the seams together.

Neat stab stitches sewn by hand hold all of the seams together.

Photo: Sloan Howard

In “Gorgeous Gloves” in Threads Issue 145, John Koch demonstrates how to sew custom-made gloves. Here are a few examples of John Koch’s beautiful work that we couldn’t fit in the magazine. These glamorous designs will compel you to try glove making. Pick up a copy of the issue for instructions on how to get started.

ThreadsMagazine Threads Magazine, editor
Posted on Aug 25th, 2009 in online extras, inspiration, gloves, gallery

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Comments (17)

Rabia Rabia writes: dear Sisters in Sewing:

I had some trouble with fitting and wrote to Mr Koch. Do you believe he got back to me in LESS than 24 hours and was VERY helpful?! I have posted the fitting instructions he passed along in "Gatherings" under "Need help with glove fitting".

As it turned out the problem was that the fingers were too short for me; I snipped the stitches at the tips of the fingers of my practice glove and pulled it into position on my hand, and other than the fingers, it fit FINE. I revamped the pattern and am now making a pair with corrected finger fit.

I will remark that one should take a GOOD LOOK at one's own hand and fingers, vis a vis the pattern fingers. I noticed that my forefinger and ring finger are only SLIGHTLY shorter than my middle finger, and you will notice the glove pattern forefinger is WAAAY shorter than the middle finger. No wonder the glove didn't fit! Also, John remarked that teeny-tiny size tweaks can make a BIG difference, so don't go TOO crazy about changing the length of the fingers!Small increments are better than BIG ones!

I also noticed that until the glove is more or less fully assembled, you can't really get an idea of how it is going to fit. Simply holding the pieces up against your fingers will not tell you anything about how it will fit when sewn together.

I might also mention that I made my gloves with the seams to the INSIDE. John said that a pattern with a tear-drop shaped gouch, instead of the English-style "bolton tongue" type is easier to sew this way, but I haven't had any problems, really! It was a bit of a trick though, to follow Threads article's instructions in reverse!
Posted: 11:55 pm on January 26th

lvislief lvislief writes: I made my first practice glove and it fits amazingly well. I have always found commercially available gloves to be to narrow and too long in the fingers. I was able to choose the size of pattern that is wide enough (medium) and then I shortened all the fingers. I did this by tracing the fingers and then moving them down to where my fingers actually are when my thumb is in the thumb opening. I also had to lower the bottoms of the fingers accordingly. I noticed that the palm and back are not the same length, so I figured that the back is 1/4 inch lower, since that is the distance taken in the dart on the fourchette. I have bought pieces of red, black and gold stretch suede and will start making real ones soon!
Posted: 11:21 pm on October 2nd

joanhowson joanhowson writes: joanhowson
great magazine i am wanting to download pattern. i teach fashion design and my students will love these gloves
Posted: 4:24 am on October 2nd

SKostiuk SKostiuk writes: Great edition as usual, am wanting to download glove pattern as per article.
Posted: 1:51 pm on September 27th

Rosalynn_MacGregor Rosalynn_MacGregor writes: I have knitted gloves before, but had never considered sewing them. After seeing the article by John Koch, I'm inspired. Because one of my pinkies is smaller than the other (I hurt it climbing a fence when I was three years old), store-bought gloves have never fit perfectly. I've often had to buy men's gloves because women's sizes are tight, too. I'm looking forward to making a pair--and the first colours I choose will not be black or brown.... Thank you for this article--it has broadened my horizons.

--Rosalynn
Posted: 10:18 am on September 25th

glovergrrl glovergrrl writes: In response to puffinquilter's question about the fabric white gloves were made of *in the day* (my day too!) it is no longer available. The Pattern Studio carried what was left of it for a short time, but all the white is gone. As I recall, they were down to two colors. That fabric used to be produced here in the States, and as we all know, most fabric is produced elsewhere now.
A good heavy COTTON doubleknit will suffice, there are fabrics at chain retail stores that work; the main thing is to make your first pair, expect them to not be quite right---learn from them and go from there. You'll learn to know if a fabric has sufficient stretch,
There is also an on-line Yahoo group, the Society of Saint Anne that has some expert glove makers willing to help and share tips.
I have made several pair of gloves from commercially available patterns and am anxious to try these!
Posted: 2:14 pm on September 22nd

puffinquilter puffinquilter writes: I'm with you, Helenahandbasket! We don't need hand sanitizer, we need gloves. I have spent the past year trying to make a pair that I like. Mr. Koch's advice is timely and inspiring. I hope to post pix of my results soon. By the way, does anyone know where I can still purchase the cotton felt-like material that the white gloves we wore "back in the day" were made from? And Nik-ki, could you please post info on the class Mr. Koch is giving? I will happily travel from Minneapolis to attend it.
Posted: 9:20 pm on September 16th

THEHelenaHandbasket THEHelenaHandbasket writes: Now we can bring back little white (or pastel) gloves for summer, and leather or suede for winter. I'm from the time when you didn't go out of the house without gloves. Never caught the flu or colds or anything from doorknobs, elevator buttons, escalators, etc. GLOVES - bring them back, create a "new" trend!
Posted: 7:34 pm on September 9th

chezshelle chezshelle writes: I am impressed, and it takes a lot to impress me!
I just made my first pair of gloves, lace. They fit and will try another pair thanks to seeing these photos. You gave me good ideas for the fashion show I will be having in November 2009

Posted: 1:22 am on September 9th

JAL85 JAL85 writes: When I wear "dress" gloves, I feel elegant. When I was taking ballroom dance lessons (and occasionally competing) I made my own long gloves with the finger and thumb areas cut out...only because I couldn't quite figure out how to make the fingers and thumb come out right! This is an inspiration to try and make them with the fingers and thumb. Thank you!
Posted: 7:17 pm on September 8th

alorralora alorralora writes: Wow! These are certainly inspiring. I attempted to draft my own glove pattern recently and just couldn't get the thumb right. So, I ended up ripping out one of my gloves just to get a pattern and see where I ended up wrong. This may encourage me to continue with my endeavor. I like the flaring cuff with purple applique best!
Posted: 10:39 am on September 8th

diamondix diamondix writes: What beautiful artwork. I am not a glove wearer but after seeing these I certainly have changed my mind. I love the silk flower and beaded pair but they are all beautiful. John Koch is so gifted, Thank you for sharing.
Posted: 8:33 pm on September 7th

costurita costurita writes: Hello, gracias a Mr. Koch por compartir los moldes de los guantes, pues siempre me habia cuestionado, como se confeccionaban ahora con los moldes tengo una idea de como se hacen, sin embargo no pude bajar los moldes a mi impresora, perode todas fomas muchas gracias, felicidades pues todos los que se muestran estan super bonitos.
Posted: 7:47 pm on September 7th

betsila betsila writes: I know that Mr. Koch is a world renowned milliner, but I didn't know that he is such an accomplished glove maker.
I have NEVER seen such magnificent gloves and I look forward to the issue of "Threads" where he will be featured.
BRAVO to "Threads" for discovering this lost art. Might I also
suggest that you research Mr. Koch's millinery accomplishments, I know you will be enchanted and thrilled beyond your expectations.
Betsy
Posted: 6:04 pm on September 2nd

Nik-ki Nik-ki writes: I am fortunate to live in Chicago and have seen the beautiful gloves John makes. He will be teaching a class in October and I can't wait to take it!
Posted: 7:40 pm on August 31st

GodSewedFirst GodSewedFirst writes: I own a ranch and go through gloves like breathing air. I enjoy my horse as much as I enjoy sewing and was thrilled to learn about John's fabulous gloves! Now not only can I have a great pair of work gloves that have style and function, I can make gloves for when I am showing Miss Kitty (my horse) and we can have matching outfits with matching gloves!! I enjoy sewing her horse blankets, saddle blankets, leggings, and outfits for me to match hers! Now I can have gloves too! Life is a stitch! Thanks for the great gloves John! I'll think of your kindness everytime I wear them! Jayne and Miss Kitty
Posted: 12:35 am on August 31st

CookieVon CookieVon writes: I can't wait to get my issue! I hope you will continue
checking in with Mr. Koch to see what he has done in other areas of needle arts. Great Choice!

Posted: 1:24 pm on August 29th

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