Thursday, December 9, 2010

Fingerless Fleece Gloves Tutorial

You asked for it...so voila! Here it is! I apologize for the slight delay...I was slightly distracted yesterday by my thrift store find, which I will blog about in length a little later I'm sure, but now on to the tutorial so you busy elves can make some fingerless fleece gloves too!

Start with 2 rectangular pieces of fleece. I have found 11"X 8 1/2" works well to make a medium size glove. I use 9 1/2" wide for a size large. You can adapt the width of your gloves by measuring around the palm of your hand (do not include the thumb) and add 1" to the total width to give you a 1/2" seam allowance. I find that is adequate and gives enough ease to slip your hand into the glove.
Fold the rectangle right sides together in half along the length, giving you a piece approximately 11" X 4 1/4" to work with. Measure 2" from the top and mark (or pin) and then measure another 2" from that point and mark (or pin).  That space is where the thumb opening will be.  Sew from the top to the first mark or pin.  Be sure to back stitch at that point as it will be a high stress area pulling the glove on and off. I suppose you could use a stretch stitch, but I have made hundreds of these with just a straight stitch and have not had any problems with stitches popping.  Raise the needle and presser foot and pull the glove 2 inches to your second mark or pin. Restart your seam (with a back stitch to reinforce) and sew to the end of the piece.

Turn your glove right side out. The fleece does not ravel, so I don't worry about finishing the thumb opening. You could also leave the ends unfinished, but I think a hem makes the glove more stable and it looks nicer. Fold up 1/2 inch to the wrong side and stitch around to hem both sides. You can use the free arm of your machine if that is easier, but I just whip it around.  You could use decorative stitching to embellish if you want. Your gloves are finished!

Here's what they look like on
Jazz hands to see the palm side!

Lastly, another variation of this project is that you could sew the entire seam and cut a thumb opening on the opposite side. I have done it both ways, but think that having the opening in the seam looks better and the backstitching adds more strength to the strain area. So there you have it! I hope you can make lots of warm fingerless gloves for your loved ones!

6 comments:

Heather said...

Very nice! My daughter always steals the ones I knit myself. I think I'll whip her up a pair real quick! Thanks for teh tutorial!

Cennetta said...

Cute. And great stocking stuffers.

gMarie said...

Love the Jazz Hands! lovely tutorial - fun gloves. I bet they go like hotcakes with your coworkers. g

Maryissewfast said...

My husband, the photographer, rolled eyes at Jazz hands! He didn't tell me my hair was a mess, but I was just grateful to get him to snap those pictures, so I didn't press my luck!!! :)

Anne L said...

Thanks!

Heather said...

Well, I made up two pairs! I gave my daughter hers last night and she said, "Oooo, they're warm!" Yay!

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