All seams should be strong and flat to stand up under strain, and should have a nice, clean appearance, their smoothness obviating uncomfortable bulges in the feet. If a seam has stitches widely and unevenly spaced, causing heavy ridges, the stocking is immediately stamped as inferior.
Any repairable defects found, such as dropped stitches or break in the seam, are taken to the Menders’ department, where an expert needlewoman takes the stocking in hand to repair the injury.