I always like to have matching accessories for my costumes, and so for this brand new dress I made, I decided to make a pair of nude gauntlets!
Gauntlets are great because they cover parts of your arms without adding much weight to the overall look.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make these nude gauntlets that look seamless on your arms. Let’s get started!
To make these gauntlets, you need:
Pattern paper – any paper will do.
Cardboard – about 15cm (6in) x 25cm (10in)
Powermesh – you need about 1/2m (20in) by 30cm (12in) of stretch mesh. I recommend powermesh because it stretches very well and is strong. Find the color that matches your skin tone or a shade darker, so the finished gauntlets will look seamless on your skin.
Matching color thread
Any decoration material you like to use – I’m using a lace applique and rhinestones.
How to Make DIY Nude Gauntlets
Pattern Making
So I have this sleeve pattern I made in my Mirage Bodystocking course. I’ll tell you more about the course in a bit, but if you have a fitted sleeve pattern, fold it at the elbow and wrist and you can use it as your pattern.
If you’re starting from scratch, here are the measurements. Basically, the left side is a straight line, and the top line is half the circumference of your elbow times 0.95.
The bottom line is half the circumference of your wrist times 0.95. And the distance between these lines is your elbow to wrist measurement.
Cut the fabric
Powermesh stretches in all directions, but often there’s a direction that it stretches the most. Fold your powermesh in half right sides together and make sure the stretchier direction is perpendicular to the fold.
Place the pattern on top, with the straight edge against the fold.
Cut according to the pattern, while adding a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance.
Repeat it to make another one.
Sew!
Keep each panel folded in half right sides together, and do a zigzag stitch or use a serger along the long edge with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance.
For the top and bottom edges, I decided to leave them unfinished. This way the edges won’t be as visible and will melt into your skin when you wear them. But if you want to finish the edges, you can fold the edges towards the wrong side and do a zigzag stitch to keep the folds in place.
And the gauntlets are finished! Now it’s time to decorate!
Decorate your nude gauntlets!
Cut out a piece of cardboard that’s as wide as half of your elbow measurement. Cut the corners round so it’s easier to insert it.
Insert it inside your gauntlet, so it’s stretched. By decorating with a piece of cardboard, you can make sure your gauntlet remains stretchy after you add lace and rhinestones.
For one side, I placed my lace applique, and whip stitched around the outline by hand. Then glued on rhinestones to match the dress.
For the other side, I used this rhinestone stencil from Crystal Queen. I did a review on their other stencil last month, and it was fun to use it. See the review here!
So here I tried another one of their stencil designs called Riviera. It made it so easy to create a consistent, beautiful design.
If you’re curious to try rhinestone stencils like this, here’s the special coupon for Sparkly Belly readers! 🙂
Shop: Crystal Queen
15% OFF coupon code: SPARKLYBELLY (valid until end of May 2021)
And the nude gauntlets are complete! They are easy projects, and fun to decorate, and I love how these gauntlets glam up the entire outfit without adding any weight! You can make these gauntlets out of colored mesh or opaque stretch fabric to match your costume. If you feel your arms look naked in your outfit, I highly recommend you give these nude gauntlets a try!
And if you are curious to make your own dress like this, I have good news! I’m adding new lessons on how to make this dress to my Mirage Bodystocking premium course next week!
In the course, you can learn to create your very own bodystockings, perfect for wearing under dance costumes. And in the new lessons, we’ll transform the bodystocking pattern to create a whole new dress! This course upgrade is happening next Friday, and you can find a special sale to celebrate the course upgrade!
Learn more about the Mirage Dress here!
And next week, I’ll share with you how to decorate stretch dresses like this! If you’re curious, subscribe to my newsletter below so you won’t miss it!
Hope you liked this DIY nude gauntlets tutorial, and if you did, please share this tutorial with your dancer and costumer friends!
Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!
P.S. Pin this image for your costume accessory board!
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