The thread stitching is only on the surface. If you loosen the leather lacing (open the knot on the side and take in some slack) you can pull the slack around to the base of the glove, which allows you to separate the front from the back. I was super-careful not to pull so hard as to bring the end of the leather lacing through its hole. If you're confident in your ability to re-lace the glove, it would probably be a lot easier than what I did. I am not that confident...