fabric bracers/gauntlets

[gypsylakat]

I'm not sure what their called obviously, which may be why I can't find anything online. (grr) But I have some leftover fabric from the bodice I just did for my friend (just need the pictures, it's DONE) and I can't figure out the best way to construct them.

I was bored so I tried using 2 layers of fabric one of twill and one of the fashion fabric brocade type stuff she chose, and sewing them right sides together and then turning them, but it came out all puffy and the two layers don't stay together it's like there is air inbetween the layers and Like if I press on them they stay flat but that's about it.

The Way I chose to cut them was by using the measurment around my wrist and the measurment of my arm a little higher up and drawing lines the same length as those two measurments the same length parallel to each other and then I connected the two lines...

SO yeah, is it best to bind them with bias tape (which is how I did the bodice), just fold the edges under and hem them because they're gauntlet things and you're not going to see the underside anyways? I don't know.... any ideas?

[AnyuBoo]

Both ways can work out pretty good.  With the first way, (sewing right sides together and turning) the trick to getting them to stay flat is to either put in grommets to lace them up (which will flatten at least two of the seams), or to topstitch close to all the seams (with or without a trim).  Or binding with bias tape works well, especially if you find some in a metallic colour which will then look like expensive trim.
I'm hungry, so I'm not too coherent, but I hope this helps.   

[gypsylakat]

Ok. I hadn't finished putting in eyelets ( I like to handsew them now, it's fun) and had only gotton one in last night, but that was difficult because without them lying flat I was afraid of getting them crooked to where I would have a ripple of fabric on the underside...

[gem]

IRON THEM.

That will help. A LOT.  Concentrate on making nice crisp edges--rolling the seams into place with your fingers (and pinning, if necessary).  Your iron is your friend.  Trimming the seams before turning will help a lot, as well.

Also, as Anyu suggested, topstitch around the top and bottom edges and along the opening.

Did you put boning along the opening (something lightweight and flexible)?  That might help them from "scrunching."

[gypsylakat]

no I didn't use any boning... This kinda started as an "I'm bored, and bf is playing video games... I need something to do... how bout handsewing some gauntlets!" kinda thing lol

[Lady Toadflinger]

I recently made some bracers from fabric left over from my "pirate" waist cincher, and they turned out well, if I may say so myself.  I used one layer of the fashion fabric, one of duck cloth, and one of the same liner that I used in the cincher.  I basted the whole thing together and then finished them with bias tape.  I had no trouble keeping them flat this way. I used grommets to match the cincher.  The "pattern" was a pair of bracers that my friend bought at Faire. It was a fun, quick project.

[gypsylakat]

I think I may start over and just use bias tape...

[Marietta Graziella]

 I've made two sets of fabric bracers.  Both sets done right sides facing, trimmed, ironed (and ironed), turned right way out, ironed, stitched closed, grommeted.  I'm happy with both sets. 

Maybe you just need to iron them more, paying particular attention to the edges. 

As for the eyelets, perhaps some basting stitches to hold the fabric in the right place while you sew would help.

[Lady L]

I have made a dozen at least. I made my own pattern for them. They are wider at the top than the wrist, but just straight sides. Yes, I too sewed right sides together, no boning, then turned them, ironed them, hammered in the grommets. I did not have any problem with them bunching up or not laying straight. I also used the same left over fabric as the bodices. I did not top stitch mine. I believe Very Merry Seamstress has some on her website, as well, if you need to see some.

[Mythrin]

If you want them to have the rough "look" of leather bracers, ie thick and semi-stiff, you can put a inner layer of heavy interfacing between the fashion fabric and liner.  In my case I wrapped the fashion fabric around the interfacing called Tymex (sp?) ( this stuff is used to make fabric bowels and hat bands.)  The fashion fabric was wrapped around the edges and toped stitched down.  I then made the lining so that the raw edge was ironed under on all fours sides and was just slightly less than the interfaced section.  I then topped stitched the lining in place so that on the fashion fabric side it looked like I had a double row of top stitching.  I also made a pair that I used metallic thread to do decorative stitching that finished connecting all layers together. I grommeted the bracers and they have worked very well for 4 seasons now for my friend.