If you have recently tried on, or ordered a pair of TNF eTip gloves, unless your hands are exactly like the fit-model's, you've learned that there is not such thing as a Unisex-one-size-fits-all glove (or anything for that matter). In my case, I have a wider hand with shorter fingers, so while the length of the fingers of eTIP (size small) are ok, the gloves are way too tight. The problem with tight gloves is that they cut down on circulation, and thus result in cold hands. However, while the palm and fingers of the eTIP (size large) is comfortable, the fingers are too long. So while circulation is not restricted, the longer finger tips decrease dexterity, making simple tasks, like putting keys in your front door, difficult. So, being a fairly "sewing machine proficient" person, I decided to buy a pair of large gloves and alter the fingers down to size. The following pictures show the extra fabric that I had to take off.
Before I jump into this, I should note that this alteration is pretty tough. From start to finish, it took me about 45 to 60 minutes to alter three fingers (the pinky, ring and middle finger) on one glove. Also, I did not alter the index and thumb as those fingers have the silver fabric, so I didn't want to mess with that. Also, they weren't too long, or at least as long as the other three fingers. On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being easy and 5 being very hard, I would rate it as a 4, maybe even a 5. That said, unless you are a pretty proficient sewer, I'm not sure that this is something you want to take on, but if you are good with a sewing machine, its definitely a doable alteration.
**Doing this will almost certainly void your warranty!
STEP 1 - What makes this a difficult alteration is that the fingertips consist of the four panels of fabric that have are sewn together, the top panel (fingernail side), the bottom panel (finger print side), and two side panels. Using a seam cutter, cut the seams along the top panel, so it folds away from the side panels, as in Figure 1 below. BE CAREFUL and don't cut the actual fabric, but the thread of the seam ONLY.
Figure 1 - cutting the glove tip open with seam ripper
Do this also with the bottom panel, but do not cut the seam that joins the two side panels at the very tip of the finger. Figure 2 shows both top and bottom panels with the seams cut, and peeled back away from the side panels.
Figure 2 - Seams of top and bottom panel are cut, at this point you're done with the seam cutter.
STEP 2 - Turn the glove fingers inside out, as most sewing is done inside out. First, you shorten the entire finger by resewing a new seam on the side panels (parallel to the old seam) to the new length you want your fingers (Figure 3). I sewed it back about 1/4 to 1/2 inch, closer to 1/2 inch
Before I jump into this, I should note that this alteration is pretty tough. From start to finish, it took me about 45 to 60 minutes to alter three fingers (the pinky, ring and middle finger) on one glove. Also, I did not alter the index and thumb as those fingers have the silver fabric, so I didn't want to mess with that. Also, they weren't too long, or at least as long as the other three fingers. On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being easy and 5 being very hard, I would rate it as a 4, maybe even a 5. That said, unless you are a pretty proficient sewer, I'm not sure that this is something you want to take on, but if you are good with a sewing machine, its definitely a doable alteration.
**Doing this will almost certainly void your warranty!
STEP 1 - What makes this a difficult alteration is that the fingertips consist of the four panels of fabric that have are sewn together, the top panel (fingernail side), the bottom panel (finger print side), and two side panels. Using a seam cutter, cut the seams along the top panel, so it folds away from the side panels, as in Figure 1 below. BE CAREFUL and don't cut the actual fabric, but the thread of the seam ONLY.
Figure 1 - cutting the glove tip open with seam ripper
Do this also with the bottom panel, but do not cut the seam that joins the two side panels at the very tip of the finger. Figure 2 shows both top and bottom panels with the seams cut, and peeled back away from the side panels.
Figure 2 - Seams of top and bottom panel are cut, at this point you're done with the seam cutter.
STEP 2 - Turn the glove fingers inside out, as most sewing is done inside out. First, you shorten the entire finger by resewing a new seam on the side panels (parallel to the old seam) to the new length you want your fingers (Figure 3). I sewed it back about 1/4 to 1/2 inch, closer to 1/2 inch
Figure 3 - Shorten the finger by sewing the side seam. I did two passes, one forward, and one backwards for added strength.
Next, cut the excess fabric, to the outside of the new seam (Figure 4). You will be cutting off the old seam of course.
Figure 4 - cut off excess fabric on side panels
STEP 3 - Depending on how much you shorten your glove finger, cut off the excess fabric from the top panel and bottom panels so that they match up with the new finger length (Figure 5). Figure 6 shows the crescent like shape of the excess glove tip.
Figure 5 - the top and bottom panels have been resized and are ready to be sewn together.
Figure 6 - The excess fabric of the top and bottom panels
STEP 4 - Hand sewing. This step is optional if you are really, really good with a sewing machine OR, this could be your last step if you are really good at hand sewing...but to be safe, I first hand stitched the top and bottom panels to the side panels with a needle and tread (Figure 7) using a single thread (not doubled up). This is essentially the same as "pinning" together two panels of fabric before sewing with a machine, but the area is way too small for pins to fit.
Figure 7 - The hand stitch will help keep the proper form of the finger when I sew with the machine.
STEP 5 - Resew, along the hand stitched seam with a sewing machine (Figure 8). I'm not gonna say much as this is something that you have to figure out, as this tutorial assumes you're proficient with a sewing machine. Also, if you don't have a sewing machine, and do a tight hand stitch in STEP 4, you could probably skip this step. Figure 9 has shows the finished product. Don't forget to snip all the extra string ends.
Figure 8 - Sew with the sewing machine. This is actually what took me the longest as you're sewing tight curves in a small area, where 4 panels of fabric come together.
Figure 9 - Done sewing. Just snip all the string ends before turning the fingers right-side-out.
STEP 6 - Turn the gloves fingers right side out, and try them on for size. Hopefully got it right the first time... Here's what the fingers look like after the alteration.
As for the fit? Here is the before picture:
Here is the after picture:
Finally, all the steps above were for the middle and ring finger only. When altering the pinky finger, it was much faster. After turning the pinky finger inside out, I just sewed the tip across to the length I wanted and cut the extra fabric away.
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