Indigenous Gauntlet Mitt Making Workshop Kit

CUTTING OUT THE PATTERN

Included in the mitten pattern are top, palm and thumb pieces, they are numbered 1-3.

1.Cut out pieces 1-3.
2.Traces pieces 1-3 on sherpa lining twice. You will need to flip piece number 2 upside down to make the left and right mittens.
3. Cut out lining.
4. Trace pieces 1 and 3 twice on to the cotton fabric and canvas.
5.Cut out cotton fabric and canvas pieces.
6. Trace piece 2 on to leather twice.
7.Cut out leather pieces.

SEWING THE LINING

Attaching the thumb piece to the palm.

1. Place the palm piece down and lift the thumb part up so the fluffy side is facing up.
2. Place the thumb piece (pattern number 3) over the thumb part of the palm. Use a butterfly clip to secure the tips of the thumb together. Line up the bottom of the thumb with the bottom of the palm piece. Use a butterfly clip to secure.
3. Anchor the tip of the thumbs together with thread.
4. Anchor inside corner of the thumb piece to the palm piece.
5. Starting from the outside corner of the thumb sew along to the inside of the thumb and down to the bottom. Knot three times to secure.
6. Repeat for other side.

Attaching the top and the palm.

1. Match up top and palm pieces, ensuring the fluffy side of the sherpa lining is facing inward when sewing. Use butterfly clips to help secure pieces together while you sew.
2. Repeat for the other side.

SEWING THE MITTEN

Prepare the Sinew

1. Unwrap the sinew laces and split each lace into four strands by separating the ends and pulling apart carefully.
2. Thread the needle with one strand.
3. Knot the end of the sinew three times.

Choose which side of the leather you would like to have on the outside of your mitts. (Smooth or matte).

Create the thumb

1. Place palm leather piece down with the desired side facing down and flip the thumb up. Insert leather trim lace, ensuring the length is even on both sides.
2. Match up fabric and canvas thumb cut outs ensuring cotton fabric is face up over canvas.
3. Place cotton fabric and canvas material facing down on top of the flipped thumb and trim lace.
4. Anchor the tip of the thumb stitching all four layers together. Knot three times.
5. Achor sides of the thumb at the fold. Knot three times.
6. Start on the outside of the thumb stitching towards the top. Towards the top make four one-millimeter tucks with the cotton fabric. Continue from the top down making the same number of tucks.
7. Continue sewing from the inside corner of the thumb to the bottom of the mitten. Use a butterfly clip to keep all four layers together. Knot three times.

Attach the Top and Palm

1.Place the cotton fabric on top of the canvas pieces.
2. Place palm down with thumb facing up.
3. Insert leather trim lace ensuring to leave excess length on either side.
4. Place cotton and canvas pieces on palm with the canvas facing up.
5. Anchor the four layers together at the top and corners.
6. Stitch along the edge of the pattern ensuring an even seam. Knot three times.
7. Flip mitten inside out and trim off excess leather trim, being careful not to cut into the fabric.
8. Repeat for the other mitten.

ATTACH RABBIT FUR TRIM

1. Line up the cuff of the mitten with the rabbit fur trim by placing the fur trim on the inside of the mitten with the fur facing inward touching the inside of the mitten. Secure with butterfly clips.
2. Start stitching around the cuff, leaving a 1 cm gap from the edge of the rabbit fur trim and your first stitch. Continue around the cuff using a whipstitch. When you reach the starting point trim off excess rabbit fur leaving 1 cm excess.
3. Stitch up the side of the rabbit fur trim to create a seamless cuff. Knot three times.
4. From inside the moccasin, make the first stitch outward through the hide and fur.
5. Pull the thread straight out.
6. Push the fur upward with your finger so you sew only the hide, not the fur.
7. Make the next stitch about 1 cm from the first.
8. Pull tight and ensure no fur gets caught in the thread.
9. Continue stitching evenly around the entire cuff, keeping stitch spacing consistent.
10. When you reach the starting point, tie the thread three times on the inside of the mitten.
11. Smooth the fur into place. Repeat for the second mitten.