Nothing but Cotton Stockings!

[BonnieJean]

Here in the Midwest, winter has come back with a vengeance. The cold, brisk wind feels terrible with a dress and regular nylon stockings. When I used to do Victorian living history I wore cotton stockings. I remember they came in a beige color and I dyed a pair black. Does anyone have a U.S.A. resource for cotton stockings? I can't remember where I got them years ago. I recall that the cotton stockings, while not nearly as attractive as the sheer nylons, felt very warm on my legs. As of late, I've fallen back into wearing more of my modern jeans because my legs get so cold. Hubby asked me the other day what women did back then in the winter with just nylons on their legs. I told him they probably were very cold! I can't wear wool because the itch of it drives me crazy and I'm not a big fan of tights, but if I could find a reasonable source for cotton stockings, then I think I could really weather this winter weather in warmth and style!

 

[Sunny]

Check out www.sock-dreams.com. They have a truly dizzying array of socks, stockings, and tights! I've bought from them before, both wool and cotton stockings for Civil War. My white "O Chevrons" are just lovely for dances. They've got some fishnet stockings (100% nylon, not thigh-highs) that I'm definitely going to try. They also sell the Hosiery Mate soap I've seen recommended here on the FL for washing nylons. Use the drop-down search on the right hand side to find cotton, or browse by style.

Best of all, their shipping is FREE!

 

[LizzieMaine]

I've gotten cottons in the past from Vermont Country Store -- nothing fancy, just simple, sturdy, heavyweight seamless cotton knit. The sizes tend to be a little odd -- some pairs tend to run a bit larger than others, even with the same size printed on the package -- but they do shrink a bit in the washing!

I wear them by themselves with housedresses at this time of year, but if I'm going out and it's really cold out, I'll sometimes layer them under nylons. If you get the garters just right, they're barely noticeable that way -- and much warmer!

 

[Lady Day]

sock-dreams.com is real cool as Sunny said. Ive ordered from them and they were super nice.

But in the end I just made my own. It was easier. And cheaper

LD

 

[BonnieJean]

Make your own?

LD,
How did they turn out? I saw somewhere that someone made their own on a website. They suggested you lay out and trace around your leg to make the pattern. Is that what you did? I'm interested in this. Do you have any suggestions/hints on how to do it? Or did you use a ready-made pattern? I think I read that the important thing is cut them on the bias so there is a little give, especially with non-stretchy fabrics. I would probably use a simple cotton fabric. I just want something warm to wear around my legs during really cold days in winter. I'm not looking for anything really stylish--just practical.

 

[Lady Day]

LD,
How did they turn out?

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=13987



LD

 

[BonnieJean]

I don't know how I missed that thread (no pun intended). Those are neat! But I've got another question that no one appears to have asked. Are they comfortable? I mean, do the seams bother you, particularly in the foot area? Is the main seam in the foot along the middle of the foot.? I'm kind of sensitive to seams in the foot area. I wore a vintage pair of stockings once and the darn foot seam just bugged me all day! Doesn't it feel "weird" to walk on that foot seam? And if you don't mind, another question. How did you come up with your original pattern that you made with that old t-shirt fabric? Did you trace your leg and foot? Will I need a 'partner' to help trace the pattern out? I'm really intrigued with your ingenuity. Simply amazing! Have you worn them anywhere yet? And most importantly, do your legs stay warm? Sorry about all the questions, it looks so easy, but I'm sure I'd find a way to mess them up!

 

[Lady Day]

Hey BonnieJean,

Nope, the foot seam does not bother me. Ive worn them out a normal day, and its fine. also tend to wear those little foot booties beneath my stockings for better traction.

The socks are a pretty snug fit which is what I wanted. The mock up sock is just my leg in profile. I measured around it taking in about an inch depending on the fabric's streachabiliy. Once sewn and trimmed, the seam is not really felt. I dont know how sensitive you are to seams, so I would suggest you try one out and wear it for a while to get a feeeeel.

As for warmth, oh yeah they are! You can make them out of any fabric you like (with a good streach) wool even!

Let me know your progress, and good luck.

LD

 

[CanadaDoll]

Hi BonnieJean!

I just saw a seller on ebay under the name gogovintage who is selling cotton stockings, maybe they'll have what you're lookin for.

 

[Amelie]

Check out www.sock-dreams.com. They have a truly dizzying array of socks, stockings, and tights! I've bought from them before, both wool and cotton stockings for Civil War. My white "O Chevrons" are just lovely for dances. They've got some fishnet stockings (100% nylon, not thigh-highs) that I'm definitely going to try. They also sell the Hosiery Mate soap I've seen recommended here on the FL for washing nylons. Use the drop-down search on the right hand side to find cotton, or browse by style.

Best of all, their shipping is FREE!

Thanks for the link to sock dreams! I've just orderer four pairs of cotton stockings and one pair of wool ones! I'll have a warm winter! (Since I am always wearing skirts, even when it's -30 outside, these are really welcome) I can't wait to receive them! They are so cheap, and the shipping costs to Canada are really low too, that really made my day.

It's a really good idea to make you own socks though, but I just couldn't wear those. When I was a child, I used to make HUGE crisis to my parents because the seams on my socks bottered me... I just can't imagine what it would be if I had to walk on seams all day long

 

[BonnieJean]

Thanks, CanadaDoll for the eBay tip. I think they may be a little small for me. I usually get 9 1/2 stocking size and since these are cotton, I'm wondering if they'll shrink a little. But I'm watching this auction just the same.

I'm not sure I can make comfy cotton stockings. Lady Day is so talented, I believe she can make anything! Besides, I already have a list of stuff to sew.

I'm still looking for those old timey beige stockings. I saw a couple of them on eBay, but they were too small!

I know of a company that sells old timey clothing and wares, mostly from the Civil War era through the Victorian. He does offer the stockings I'm looking for, but the owner is not a very nice man to deal with and I don't want to give him my business. So I guess I'll keep looking....

 

[BonnieJean]

Cotton stockings substitute--well...almost!

Earlier I had posted a thread asking where to find cotton stockings. I was looking for something to keep my legs warm here in the snowy Midwest. I had just about given up and had decided the skirts and dresses may have to stay in the closet until the weather warms until I found a good substitute today.

But to back up a bit...earlier in my previous thread, Lady Day mentioned that she sewed her own and even showed us pictures of her completed work. I can sew, but lack the confidence to just "wing it". (Lady Day, you are an inspiration to me because you fearlessly tackle what seems to me to be impossible sewing projects!) Today, I bought an inexpensive pair of ribbed tights at the local discount department store ($3.96 plus tax). I cut the top off and ended up with a pair of stockings. Most tights have a kind of ribbing at the top before it meets the crotch area and that's where I cut it at in case it would unravel. But they aren't unraveling at all and so, so comfy! They "ride" just fine with my garters and don't even move around. I can't wait to try other textures and colors. The kind I picked were a mixture of cotton, nylon and a little lycra. The only thing missing is a back seam, but I can live without it during the winter if I can wear skirts and dresses again. Lady Day had mentioned to me that she also tried "cutting off tights", so this isn't an original idea. Its a real inexpensive way to keep my legs warm and still be stylish.
Yeah! It's true, necessity is the mother of invention, even if I borrowed the idea from LD.

 

[Lady Day]

Why thank you for mentioning me But Im poor so if I can I try to make it out of what I can find. If not, I splurge on fabric, thus keeping me poorer and poorer...

But the cut off tights thing is a great idea! Lookit you!

If you ever wanna try and make your own, I can send you pics.

Here is to keeping warm.
:beer:


LD

 

[BonnieJean]

LD, the cheapest cotton stockings I could find on the web was $7 a pair plus shipping, so for $3.96 that's a bargain for me. I just recently weeded out most of my fabric collection and I think I gave away some that would of made an interesting pair of stockings. :eusa_doh:

I think I can figure out how to sew my own from the pictures and descriptions you gave in the other thread, but I'm just not sure about creating a pattern for it. Do you think I could lay out a regular nylon stocking and trace around that for a pattern? (Maybe not the foot part, but for the leg part?)

I'd really like to sew a pair, but right now I'm swamped with business and I've got other priorities screaming for attention. I've still got to work on my New Year's resolution of sewing tap pants for myself. At least I've got the fabric now. If I can only find the time...

 

[Lady Day]

**merged thread**

Questions on cotton stockings? Well lookie here

LD

 

[missjo]

I bought 10 pairs of original prewar cotton (ish) stockings with seam for 20 dollars...