Stockings, white cotton with black embroidery and openwork, 1880s

1880s. White cotton stockings with black embroidery alternating with openwork squares covering the front of the leg from the top of the foot to mid-calf and clocks (ornamentation extending up the calf from the ankle) on both the inside and outside and framing the gusset. The welt (top) is plain. Each stocking is knitted flat and shaped to follow the contours of the leg, reaching from the welt to the toe and joined at the back of the leg with a single seam that runs from the welt to under the heel. The heel is knitted of a piece with the main stocking and given shape by the seam. The gusset and sole are of one piece with the top of the foot and are seamed to the sides of the heel and down the center of the sole under the foot. The toe is closed with a separate seam. Damage from wear has been darned. Machine-made. Hand-darned.

The Irma G. Bowen Historic Clothing Collection digital catalog was produced by the UNH Library Digital Collection Initiative, supported in part by a grant from the Mooseplate program and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Additional funding provided by the E. Ruth Buxton Stephenson Memorial Fund.

Photography copyright, Astrida Schaeffer.