'Make Do and Mend'...or just 'Make It' - HOSIERY

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT..

HOSE MENDING 

After finding quite a lot of these strange things called Hosiery Mending Cards, I became acutely aware just how throw-away we have become in this day and age, once our tights have a ladder we just chuck them in the bin and crack open a chain store multi-pack. But not that long ago ladies kept an array of different coloured thread made of either silk, cotton or nylon for the sole purpose of prolonging the life of their precious hosiery. A valued addition in their sewing box ( or even carried in their handbags) this was specifically used for mending a hole or run in ladies stockings and later tights / panty-hose (I love that phrase!) with a fine needle and delicate stitches.

Of course nowadays the remedy is a dab of nail varnish on the run...OK so you have a shiny spot on your leg in a peculiar colour but it does the same job a lot more easily than getting all this kit and malarkey out!

Makers include ‘Glista’, Stancraft, Coats and Clarks ‘Filosheen’ and Nylusta
I'm not sure when the need for these mending card ended, my latest card must be the free gift from 'My Weekly' magazine ( a publication aimed at the elderly) dated from I guess the mid 70's complete with match-like things with wax on?...but I may be wrong.