Gloves

Glove Reference Picture
click for larger image

The gloves may seem difficult but in fact they are very easy.  All you need is some patience. 

Get yourself a pair of cheap gardening gloves, unstitch them and see how they are made.  There isn't that much to them.   Or if you're not comfortable with that, you could find a pattern for gloves at your local sewing store.  Or if you're no comfortable with that, you could scout around for the actual motorcycle gloves.   However, in regional Australia, they are as rare as hens teeth.

I've made this pattern for you to print out.  They're not exactly like motorcycle gloves but they are pretty close.  The pattern came off my grotty old gardening gloves. May the rest in pieces.  These are simple and can be sized to fit any hand.

Click on the images for larger versions.
(NB: The gauntlets are coming.  I just have to perfect the pattern).

Print them out and then size them to fit your hand.  Measure across your knuckles and leave a little room for a seam allowance (5mm).  All the pieces shown here are for the right hand, and the side with the writing means that it's the outside of the material.  To make the left hand glove, you just need to turn the pattern over.

Preparing the pieces

1. Cut out all the pieces onto faux leather. 
   HINT: Make one glove at a time.  This way you won't get the left an right hand pieces mixed up.

2. The gauntlets will be padded so cut out some backing using some black material.  I used some of the scraps left over from the cape.  You will also need to cut some wadding cut to the shape of the gauntlets.

3. Take the gauntlet pieces (faux leather and backing) and sew them together at the top curved section only.  Turn them right side out and stuff the wadding between them. 

4. Mark the lines in the top gauntlet (about an inch apart) by using tailors chalk and sew them in with a sewing machine.  Mark the lines on the backing.
   HINT: Make sure the leather is on the bottom when sewing.   If you have the leather on top, the machine feeder (the little cogs under the needle) will grab the backing and feed it through the machine faster then the leather.   This makes the backing bunch up.

Sewing it together

The best way to sew these together is by hand as they can be very fiddley.  However, if you can be really precise with a sewing machine, go for it.  If these instructions don't make any sense (and I won't be surprised if they don't), I suggest you go and get a cheap pair of gloves and pull them apart to see how they fit together.

The images below refer to the making of the right hand glove.  At each step, I advise to test fit it to make sure you've got the right sides facing.

The one rule here is when sewing pieces together:

MAKE SURE THAT THE OUTER FACE OF THE PIECES ARE FACING EACH OTHER. 

This goes for everything down the the smallest stitch.

The letter "I" is for inside, and the Letter "O" is for outside.

Lay the palm piece, outer side down. and fold the thumb towards the middle of the palm.
Line up the thumb piece and sew them together.  Make sure that you always have the outer sides facing each other.
Sew the two middle finger pieces together on their shortest edges.
Lay the outer finger piece face down and fold the fingers in.
Lay the middle fingers on top and sew together at the base (along the red line)
Now sew the palm and top pieces together but only as far down as the knuckle.  You will notice that the top part of the fingers has more material than the palm.  Do each finger seperately starting at the base and work your way around.
Sew on the top gauntlet
Continue to sew the top and palm pieces together.   Sew the bottom of the gauntlet onto the glove.
Continue to sew the two pieces together until you reach the end.
Turn it right side out and there you have it.   One glove.

Final Piece of Advice

I strongly suggest that you get a pair of cheap gloves and pull them apart to see how they are made.  It's the best way to do it as I feel these instructions are confusing and complicated. 

It was more difficult to write the instructions than to make the gloves.

How they turned out

There are some obvious faults in these however I am running out of time.   The costume needs to be done by May 16.  However, I'm more than happy with them.  Final cost was $10.00 for the pair.

 

General Info - Helmet - Voice Amp - Belt - Chest Box - Upper Armour
Cod Piece - Boots - Shin Guards - Inner Cape - Outer Cape
Gloves - Body Suit - Lightsaber - Shopping List
Hints - Gallery - Awards - Links - HOME

Updated: 21 February 2002