Creating Delicate Lace Wedding Gloves: A Step-By-Step Guide

Lace gloves are a beautiful accessory for brides, adding a touch of vintage glamour to any wedding outfit. In this article, we will explore how to make your own lace wedding gloves, including choosing the right type of lace, preparing your materials, and sewing them together. We will also offer tips on customising your gloves to ensure they are unique to you and your special day.

Choosing the right lace fabric

When choosing the right lace fabric for your wedding gloves, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, look at how the motifs will complement the shape and scale of your hand. A floral pattern can be a good choice, but ensure the design is dense enough to avoid leaving large voids. You can also consider subtle cording to accent the shapes. If you want to create a slightly flared glove edge, look for a lace fabric with a fringed scallop of an appropriate width.

Another important consideration is the stretch of the lace fabric. Choose a lace with a small to moderate amount of stretch, as this will make it easier to work with and ensure a better fit. Additionally, consider the colour of the lace and how it will complement your wedding outfit. Remember to buy enough fabric to experiment with the placement and find the most aesthetically pleasing arrangement for your gloves.

When working with lace, it is essential to choose a suitable backing fabric. Nylon netting is a good option as it provides a slight crosswise mechanical stretch that helps even out the stretch across denser and more open areas of the lace. This ensures that you have enough material at the edges for sturdy seams, resulting in more precise sewing and a better fit.

Finally, consider the difficulty of marking the fabric accurately. Both lace and nylon netting can be challenging to mark, so it is recommended to start by tracing a full set of pattern pieces onto a sheet of tissue paper. This will help you visualise the placement of the motifs and ensure that your gloves are symmetrical.

Cutting the lace

• Prepare the Materials: Before cutting the lace, gather your materials. Ensure you have purchased enough lace fabric to allow for experimentation with the placement of motifs. You will also need a sheet of tissue paper, recycled or otherwise, that is pressed flat, and optionally, a light wash-away stabilizer.
• Create a Pattern: Trace the pattern pieces for both gloves onto the tissue paper. This will serve as a guide for cutting the lace. If you are using a scalloped lace edge for your glove, ensure the pattern includes this feature.
• Align the Lace: Pay attention to the direction of the greatest stretch in the lace, which should be oriented around the hand. Align the lace motifs so that they will fall attractively in the most visible areas of the glove.
• Pin and Baste: Once you are happy with the placement of the motifs, pin the lace thoroughly, keeping the layers flat. Then, turn the piece over and baste within the narrow seam allowance all around each piece. You can do this by hand or machine, whichever you prefer.
• Sew and Trim: If using a scalloped edge, sew with a small zigzag stitch along the top edge of the scallop motif. Choose a thread colour that blends seamlessly with your lace. This stitch will secure the edge, allowing you to carefully trim away any excess fabric for a delicate finish.
• Cut with Precision: Cut the lace according to your pattern, taking care to follow the lines you have basted. Remember to cut both glove halves identically, or as a mirrored pair if your lace pattern allows. Ensure that the motifs complement each other and are arranged symmetrically.

Remember to take your time and work carefully when cutting the lace. This will ensure that your wedding gloves turn out elegant and beautifully crafted.

Backing the lace

When backing lace for wedding gloves, nylon netting is a good option. It has a slight crosswise mechanical stretch, which helps to even out the stretch across the denser and more open areas of the lace. This ensures there will always be enough material at the edges for a sturdy seam, allowing for more precise sewing and a better fit.

When choosing a colour, consider how it will contrast with the lace. For instance, a smoky grey net can add an additional design element to the final product.

Both lace and nylon netting can be difficult to mark accurately, so it is recommended to start by tracing a full set of pattern pieces for both gloves out on a sheet of tissue paper. Recycled paper is fine, just press it flat if it is very wrinkled. You could also use a light wash-away stabilizer if you have one handy, but tear-away might be too tough for such delicate work.

Lay the nylon netting out on top of the tissue, paying attention to the direction of the greatest stretch, which should be oriented around the hand. Add the lace on top, aligning the motifs so that they will land attractively in the most visible areas. Pin thoroughly, keeping everything flat, then turn the piece over so you can see the lines and baste within the narrow seam allowance all the way around each piece.

If you are not time-crunched, it is recommended to baste by hand so that it can be removed later to reduce the amount of thread in the seams. However, using a machine should be fine if time is a factor.

Stitching the lace and netting

Begin by tracing a full set of pattern pieces for both gloves on a sheet of tissue paper. You can use recycled paper, but make sure it's pressed flat if it's very wrinkled. You could also use a light wash-away stabilizer if you have one handy.

Lay the tulle on top of the tissue, paying attention to the direction of the greatest stretch, which should be oriented around the hand. Then, add the lace on top, aligning the motifs so that they will land attractively in the most visible areas. Pin everything together, keeping the layers flat.

Turn the piece over and baste within the narrow seam allowance all the way around each piece. You can do this by hand or machine, depending on your time constraints. Basting by hand allows for the thread to be removed later, reducing the amount of thread visible in the seams.

If you're using a scalloped edge, sew with a small zigzag stitch along the top edge of the scallop motif. Test this stitch on scraps of fabric first to see what blends best with your lace. Done correctly, it should almost disappear. This stitch will secure the lower edge of the tulle, allowing you to trim it away from the scallops and create a delicate lace edge.

Stitch up one side seam to keep the pieces together and easier to handle. Continue assembling the glove according to the standard knit glove pattern. Use a straight stretch stitch if using stretch lace; for a lace with minimal stretch, a standard straight stitch will be adequate.

After stitching, neaten the seams by trimming them slightly. Remove any stabilizers and basting threads. Stitch again with a tight zigzag stitch to finish the seams.

Trimming and neatening the seams

Firstly, separate the glove pattern into two halves and trim the seam allowance down to 2mm. This is necessary because the seams will be visible through the sheer lace fabric. Reducing the seam allowance will create a neater appearance. If your lace has a scalloped edge, you can create a delicate finish by sewing a small zigzag stitch along the top edge of the scallop motif. Test this stitch on a scrap of fabric first to ensure it blends seamlessly with your lace.

Once you are happy with the stitch, sew along the edge, then carefully trim away the excess fabric from the scallops, leaving a beautiful lace border. Next, stitch up one side seam to join the glove halves together. This will make it easier to handle and work with. After stitching the side seam, trim the seams again to ensure they are neat and even. Remove any basting or stabilising stitches that may be present.

Finally, stitch the seams once more with a tight zigzag stitch. This will secure the seams and give them a neat, finished appearance. It is important to take your time with this step to ensure the gloves look elegant and well-crafted. Remember to test your stitches and thread colour on a scrap of fabric first to ensure they blend well with your chosen lace.

Frequently asked questions