From the foregoing, it will be seen how essential to the life of the stocking is the reinforcing thread at the points of wear. This thread can be of the same fibre as that used in the manufacture of the whole stocking, or it can be a fibre of a different character, but here it should be mentioned that whatever yarn is used for the purpose is usually specially twisted for hard wear. Generally, in order to give a good matching colour when the goods are dyed, and so contribute to a generally pleasing appearance, the yarn used in the leg and foot of the stocking is plated on the reinforcement thread.

11

FOOT STYLES

Although the main fashion news at any time is centred on fabric constructions which have been developed after months of experimenting, it is very seldom that new styles are created regarding the manufacture of the foot in Fully-Fashioned stockings, and perhaps still less often in the case of Seamless stockings.

Figs. 43 and 44 give in detail good representation of the types of foot which have been perfected and featured by various manufacturers over many years. For the guidance of the reader, these pictorial designs can be used for reference, and in the case of a manufacturer getting out a presumably new style of foot, reference to the plates would determine if such had been used before.

These designs present the best-known major types of foot (heel, sole, toe).

1. This type lends itself for manufacture in all-nylon with “round” heel having high-splicing, spliced sole, and a toe having single narrowing and full reinforcement.

2. Note this foot has the universal style of heel (the top of which is high-spliced) spliced sole, and “quarter” splicing at the toe. This type is used with high-twist rayon, and all splicings are mercerised cotton.

3. Another round-heel design with high-spliced heel, sole, and full toe. Note the splicing steps.

4. The “L” shaped high-splicing (full) is the feature here. Note mid-sole low-splicing, increasing in width as it gets to the toe (which is extra-reinforced).

5. Style quite suitable for a lisle stocking.

6. The design of the foot lends itself to a fine-gauge hose made from high-twist rayon.

7. The “round” heel style is unique, and is used in the construction of 30 Denier, 66 Gauge, rayon hose.

8. This foot is specially suitable for 51 Gauge silk type. Note “quarter” reinforcement at the top of the toe.

9. Lace openwork diamond design in silk, very effective toe and heel, with low sole built for popular open sandal type of shoe.