Saturday, March 29, 2008

Constructed Stockings


I intended to finish my new drawers today (and still do intend, alas!) but after stitching the hems and tucks and trying feverishly to press the chronic wrinkles out of the tops of them I gave up, washed the separate legs over again and am now hoping their second cycle in the dryer will help relieve some of those dratted wrinkles. (NEVER wash an entire twenty-five yards of muslin and dry it all at once. It will twist and become terribly wrinkled in the twisted places. Plus it will make your washing machine hum strangely and then galloop strangely.) So this afternoon I got out my new Kannik’s Korner stocking pattern and decided to make a trial pair, to see how they would fit and feel.

What can I say? The stockings went together with incredible simplicity and ease. After ascertaining that I was not really any particular size I followed the instructions on how to create my own custom stocking pattern. The finished stockings fit exactly right and are so comfortable. Bravo, pattern!

My material was an old cotton knit dress. It was a thing of hideous aspect but I saved it faithfully knowing I could use it for SOMETHING and it came in quite handy. Mustard-brown and black stripe. I used to wear it with a dark blue quilted vest, back when I was Weird and Trying To Be Different in my late teens. I sewed the stockings with a small zig zag on the machine, as the pattern instructed for machine stitching and I sewed the very corners of the sole by hand.

Obviously, I need to improve my skill in that area. There are some small puckers. But I will learn.

I could only make these just above knee length since my dress wasn’t long enough to make the thigh-high stockings. Well, next pair I make I’ll have enough to make them that long. I will still need garters, I think, but these fit so much better than the standard old white stocking that sutlers sell. Plus I think they are Very Cool and would make a snazzy addition to a modern outfit.
I’m going to see if I can use the same custom instructions to make patterns for David and the babies. Never again will I buy another stocking for living history purposes. I have found my sock destiny.
Love,
Sarah

4 comments:

  1. Hello Sarah!

    I resently found your blog and I just wanted to say that I have made stockings from the KK pattern and I love them too! The ones you made reminded me of my silly sister; she loves socks!

    ~Nona (from the Sewing Academy)

    PS Here's my blog, I sew alot!

    http://miss-lottiegirl.livejournal.com/

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  2. Hi Nona! I have been a somewhat faithful reader of your sewing blog since I discovered it almost a year ago lol you do BEAUTIFUL work!

    Thanks for your comment! :)

    Sarah

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  3. lol, Thanks! That's cool that you read my blog too! Do feel free to post comments on it! Even if you don't have a LJ, you can comment on it.

    ~Nona

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  4. Thank you for your kind post :-) I actually used an old corset and retro-fitted it for the Regency Era. My husband made the busk for me out of walnut. I am terrible at woodworking of anykind. Luckily I'm married to a man who grew up doing cabinetry :-) I love the stockings you made. It is tempting me to purchase the pattern. God Bless!

    P.S. I love reading your blog. Your babies are so beautiful.

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Thank you for your lovely thoughts!