Sewn cloth hose... How is it done?

[Pleater]

They are called cadagh and there was a thread about making them not long ago in this section.

I suspect that they are not made so much now because they are cut on the bias, and so take up quite a lot of cloth, and the abilities of the domestic knitting machine rose to be able to knit the multicolour technique called intarsia - knitting machines have been around for over 400 years.

The bias cutting makes a more elastic tube than cutting them on the straight grain of the cloth.

I suspect that the use of a zip fastener, the sort which opens completely would make it easier to shape them to the leg more closely, so if they had hung on until that was invented they might possibly be more of them around.

Knitted hosen have the advantage that they can be repaired, even entire new feet put onto them, so as well as being more frugal with the coloured yarn they last longer.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Alan H]

I made a pair. They're made on the bias, like Anne says. Aside from that, I improvised. They came out fine.

[Smayniac]

I suspect that the use of a zip fastener, the sort which opens completely would make it easier to shape them to the leg more closely, so if they had hung on until that was invented they might possibly be more of them around.
Anne the Pleater :ootd:

If I did this, I'd either have to put a nice facing on the inside of the zip or be VERY careful doing them up, otherwise I'd lose hair, rather painfully I'd think.

Bob

[Pleater]

Ah - yes, it would be wise to have the zip fully concealed - I have put zips into costumes too often, I never thought of doing it any other way.

Metal zips can be dangerous if not fully covered - not just for their hair snagging but also heat conducting properties. I have seen a long and very painful burn produced by a heavy gauge metal zip just exposed to sunlight and a smaller but no less painful one from a cooking fire.

Nylon ones can be melted onto the skin, so care needs to be taken.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[OC Richard]

I made a pair. I got the pattern from Sketchbook 76, which is full of patterns for Revolutionary War stuff, including hose.

They came out OK. You don't need a zipper. The cloth is cut on the bais and therefore is a bit stretchy, has a bit of give in it.

When you wear these you find out why they used garter ties!