TABLE CUT LEATHER: Table Cutting is a skill and an art. After carefully examining each individual skin to see the particular amount of natural stretch, the leather is pulled up length ways and widthways to ensure that a fixed and measured amount of stretch is cut into the leather across the width but not in the length. Then the Table-Cutter will cut the gloves accordingly. The skill is to remove the natural variable stretching of leather and to replace it with a custom amount. This ensures gloves give gently widthways but not lengthways, so you don't get overlong glove fingers every time you pull off your gloves! Gloves made from leather that is not Table Cut may feel inflexible and can stretch out of shape very quickly. Unfortunately the majority of inexpensive gloves on the market are made from non-Table-Cut leather as it is much cheaper, unskilled way to produce a pair of leather gloves. In the UK, the traditional skill of Table Cutting requires a 3-year apprenticeship. There are also pockets of excellence in table-cutting around the world - Italy, India, Eastern Europe and the Philippines all have expertise in this area.
MOST POPULAR STITCHES USED FOR GLOVES:
INSEAM:
Mainly used on women's gloves, but occasionally on men's dress gloves. Sewn inside out, which results in both edges being inside when finished. Especially used for unlined or silk lined gloves.
HAND STITCHED:
Most popular in men's gloves and some women's styles. It takes up to 8 hours to stitch one pair of hand sewn gloves. The stitching is a feature and clearly visible.
WHIP STITCHED:
This stitching is also sometimes named brosser, it is a fancy stitch not often used but would be mainly for women's gloves. The stitching is a feature and clearly visible.
PIQUE:
This has a overlapping seam. One edge showing. Used mainly for Ladies' gloves.
PRIX SEAM:
Mainly used for men's gloves. This has two edges showing.
POINTS: Points are the decorative stitching on the back of a glove. Sometimes one point is used but usually three.
BUTTON LENGTH: The button length is the measurement in inches that is used to determine the length/measurement from the base of the glove thumb to the cuff of the glove. The higher the button length the further the cuff comes over the wrist.
STRAP AND ROLLER: Strap and Roller is the strap used for adjusting the closeness of the fit around the wrist. It is used mainly on men's gloves.
VENT: The Vent Is the 'V' shaped cut out of the gloves, which is sometimes at the back of the glove, but is more likely to be on the glove palm. It gives the glove an easier fit around the wrist.
