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Post by WinterMoon on Oct 19, 2014 9:36:01 GMT
I've always wondered about this, but kept forgetting to ask. The stockings that people wore with breeches, what were they made from? In portraits they always look tight-fitting, without any creases suggesting they had been wrapped or folded around the leg. Since elastic fabric was about 150 years away from being invented, how did they achieve this effect? Is there any natural fiber that has a stretch to it? Many years ago, I had a discussion with Mom about this. She said that tightly fitting stockings were an impossibility, and that they'd be loose-fit and held up with a garter or ribbon. But why do they look tight? Is it just stylistic painting? Were they sewn around the leg, and removed with scissors when it was time for a new pair? Clueless WM is clueless.
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Post by LadyJamers on Oct 19, 2014 18:58:22 GMT
From what I gather is that they were made from cotton, silk or wool. You attached garters to them and your breeches would hold them more in place. Thus them looking tight.
Also things were made to fit, rather than mass market, so your calves would be measured so they fit you just so. Hence why Horatio had to stuff something in Bracey's stockings, so they would fit.
A
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HMSCody
Lieutenant
Happy to be of service, as ever.
Posts: 427
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Post by HMSCody on Oct 20, 2014 1:22:39 GMT
Some stockings were knitted, with really tiny needles and very fine yarn. As Jamers said, some were silk, and some were wool.
I'm pretty sure cotton and linen stockings were of woven fabric and sewn.
If you lay any of them flat, they have the precise shape of a leg. I'll go see if I can find any photos for you.
edited to add: Here's a link to the V&A museum and a pair of linen stockings. Linen Stockings
HMSCody
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Post by WinterMoon on Oct 20, 2014 8:58:01 GMT
Here's a link to the V&A museum and a pair of linen stockings. Linen StockingsHey, cool! They seem to have a bit of lacing to them, to make them fit closely around the ankle! Thank you for the link.
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mmt
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Avatar thanks to the talents of Sundowner
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Post by mmt on Oct 20, 2014 23:53:12 GMT
If you look on the National Maritime Museum website and search for 'Nelson's stockings' you'll find a very nice pair of what they've called 'non-regulation' stockings.
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Post by Rum Inspector on Oct 24, 2014 14:46:35 GMT
What they've said, and also, if you cut your cottons/linens in bias, you'll get some stretch in otherwise un-stretchy fabric... something that has been used in India for a long time, but now I'm not sure when Europeans figured that one out and if it was used in regular socks. Also, I'm sure some "photoshopping" was done to the creases in the socks in most paintings Here is the basic pattern to a sock, and more on the stocking: www.marquise.de/en/1700/howto/struempfe.shtml
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AnneElliot
Midshipman
Waving, not drowning.
Posts: 75
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Post by AnneElliot on Nov 18, 2014 15:23:04 GMT
GAR! I can't imagin having to knot something like this. For those of us who went to Shaker Village in 2012, do you recall that the Shakers there were known for making very fine stockings? I marveled at the tiny stitches. To me it seems like knitting pantyhose.
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Post by Rum Inspector on Nov 21, 2014 15:25:46 GMT
To me it seems like knitting pantyhose. I have recently come across the miniature (doll house) world - they knit with sewing needles!!!
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Post by WinterMoon on Nov 21, 2014 20:06:45 GMT
I have recently come across the miniature (doll house) world - they knit with sewing needles!!! I've seen that! It's crazy! Would you all look at this insanity?! I take my hat off... O.o
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AnneElliot
Midshipman
Waving, not drowning.
Posts: 75
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Post by AnneElliot on Nov 21, 2014 20:07:32 GMT
To me it seems like knitting pantyhose. I have recently come across the miniature (doll house) world - they knit with sewing needles!!! oh, my eyes!
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Post by shipoftheline on Nov 21, 2014 20:46:16 GMT
I have recently come across the miniature (doll house) world - they knit with sewing needles!!! I've seen that! It's crazy! Would you all look at this insanity?! I take my hat off... O.o That's amazing!
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Post by Rum Inspector on Nov 23, 2014 14:19:33 GMT
omg! I just saw a norwegian sweater miniature, thought that was insane, but these socks are even more crazy! I mean, just marvellous... but crazy
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