Fully fashioned stockings
Encyclopedia
Fully fashioned stockings (FFS), are stockings that are knitted flat and then the two sides are sewn together forming what is the seam
. The seam is an integral part of the stocking and not sewn on afterwards as is the case with more modern stockings. Fully fashioned stockings are becoming increasingly rare—only a handful of manufacturers worldwide now make them regularly.
Fully fashioned stockings are sized to the height and shoe
size (generally) of the wearer and as such have little or no stretch in them as they have no lycra contained within the yarn
.
In addition to the distinctive seam they also come in a number of heel
designs (covered below) and the top of the seam where it meets the welt at the top of the stocking is completed by the welt being turned over and a finishing loop applied. The loop is needed to allow the needle
sewing the seam to be withdrawn.
Heel styles vary from the original French (pyramidal) or point heel which was made most famous by the Aristoc
Point Heel design to the Cuban and Havana heels—darkened reinforced heel design finishing in a square top rather than pointed top—the Cuban heel being defined by being much thinner and finishing higher up the calf
than the Havana heel.
More recently a number of manufacturers have also started manufacturing different heel styles—most specifically the Manhattan heel which is a cross between the two above and French brand Gerbe
coming out with some more distinctive design
s around the heel.
Most manufacturers now offer fully fashioned stockings in a number of different colours, but also contrast seam designs and also contrast seam and heel designs have become popular, definitely a flash back to the vintage
years, generally in champagne/copper with a black seam and heel.
Seam
Seam may refer to:* Seam , the line where two or more layers of fabric are held together by stitches* Seam , a stratum of coal or mineral that is economically viable; a bed or a distinct layer of vein of rock in other layers of rock...
. The seam is an integral part of the stocking and not sewn on afterwards as is the case with more modern stockings. Fully fashioned stockings are becoming increasingly rare—only a handful of manufacturers worldwide now make them regularly.
Fully fashioned stockings are sized to the height and shoe
Shoe
A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration. The design of shoes has varied enormously through time and from culture to culture, with appearance originally being tied to function...
size (generally) of the wearer and as such have little or no stretch in them as they have no lycra contained within the yarn
Yarn
Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, suitable for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery and ropemaking. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern manufactured sewing threads may be finished with wax or...
.
In addition to the distinctive seam they also come in a number of heel
Heel
In human anatomy, the heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower leg.- Human anatomy :...
designs (covered below) and the top of the seam where it meets the welt at the top of the stocking is completed by the welt being turned over and a finishing loop applied. The loop is needed to allow the needle
Sewing needle
A sewing needle is a long slender tool with a pointed tip. The first needles were made of bone or wood; modern ones are manufactured from high carbon steel wire, nickel- or 18K gold plated for corrosion resistance. The highest quality embroidery needles are plated with two-thirds platinum and...
sewing the seam to be withdrawn.
Heel styles vary from the original French (pyramidal) or point heel which was made most famous by the Aristoc
Aristoc
Aristoc, located in Daybrook in Nottinghamshire, is a British marketer and manufacturer of hosiery, founded in 1924. The company makes most of its products in the Amber Valley in Derbyshire.-External links:* *...
Point Heel design to the Cuban and Havana heels—darkened reinforced heel design finishing in a square top rather than pointed top—the Cuban heel being defined by being much thinner and finishing higher up the calf
Calf (anatomy)
In human anatomy the calf is the back portion of the lower leg . In terms of muscle systems, the calf corresponds to the posterior compartment of the leg. Within the posterior compartment, the two largest muscles are known together as the calf muscle and attach to the heel via the Achilles tendon...
than the Havana heel.
More recently a number of manufacturers have also started manufacturing different heel styles—most specifically the Manhattan heel which is a cross between the two above and French brand Gerbe
Gerbe (lingerie)
Gerbe, located in France, is a marketer and manufacturer of hosiery and lingerie. Gerbe was founded in 1895.-External links:*...
coming out with some more distinctive design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
s around the heel.
Most manufacturers now offer fully fashioned stockings in a number of different colours, but also contrast seam designs and also contrast seam and heel designs have become popular, definitely a flash back to the vintage
Vintage
Vintage, in wine-making, is the process of picking grapes and creating the finished product . A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year. In certain wines, it can denote quality, as in Port wine, where Port houses make and...
years, generally in champagne/copper with a black seam and heel.