Here's an example of 18th century mitts (the painting is called the Lady with the Veil). I love the raspberry changeable silk with the blue lining. Isn't that a fantastic color combination?! It wouldn't work with any of my dresses, so I decided to go with something else. There's something very coquettish, though, about having the tip of the mitt flipped back to reveal the lining.
Here was the inspiration for my project - a pair of silk mitts from Colonial Williamsburg's collection. It helped that there was a reproduction of these available to look at during the workshop. I made a simpler version of this pair: I ditched the inner arm cut-out, green accents instead of blue, no leather lining, and less embroidery because I just don't have the patience.
Here I am getting the muslin for my mitt pattern fitted. There definitely seemed to be an art in getting things to fit properly. Sarah, from the Mantua Maker shop, was a pro and tugging, tucking, and otherwise getting the uncooperative fabric to conform to my hand. 
Here's a shot of the finished product (ignore the non-period fingernails). The fabric is a duchess silk satin. I saw it and immediately fell in love (I was actually holding another bolt of fabric for my mitts when I spotted this fabric underneath a pile on the fabric table). Little did a know that there's a story behind the fabric: the satin was a remnant from Vera Wang! Yes folks, I made a pair of mitts out of the fabric Vera Wang uses in her $5,000-and-up wedding dresses. Pretty neat, huh? 
Here's a shot with the tips flipped back to show off the sea-green silk taffeta lining.
I decided to finish the edge of my mitts the same in the same manner as my inspiration gloves: a herringbone embroidery stitch up the side in silk embroidery thread. 
This is what it looks like when I'm wearing it. The camera didn't do a great job of capturing the stitches, but you get the gist.
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5 comments:
The mitts are beautiful the herring bone or feather stitch is one of my favorites. I also like it on hems and on tablecloths but it provides just that tiny stretch that is helpful as you have used it in the mits!
Beautiful work -- and what a fine score on the fabric! Thanks for showing the distinctive details like the herringbone stitching at the side. One big mystery: is the "S" on the inside wrist decorative or functional? (Ease to get over the wrist?)
I never even though about whether or not the S was functional. When we discussed it in the workshop, it was always referred to as a decorative detail, but you might be onto something.
Love the mitts, the fabric, fit and embroidery, beautiful, I must make myself a pair, thanks for the inspiration
The S is fucntional when out into silk mitts. It allows them to have give to make them easier to put on and to take off.
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