Making bag hose

**Brasilikilt** · 5th January 07, 11:05 AM

Hello all

I'm still putting together a set of decent kit for Jacobite reenactments which requires quite a bit of "do it myself-ing"

One of my projects is to make a pair of hose out of some woolen "tartan" fabric.
One thing I know is that the hose of the 1740's were not elastic, and that the folks in those days often cut the fabric so the tartan would be diagonal which I have read was to provide a little bit of stretch.

Since I am likely going to attend an outdoor event in February, I was thinking of wearing my tall wool hiking socks underneath my hose for warmth.

I figured I would post on here to see if anyone has made the traditional bag hose, and would have some tips or suggestions to offer.

Thanks

Iain

**Caradoc** · 5th January 07, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Brasilikilt

I figured I would post on here to see if anyone has made the traditional bag hose, and would have some tips or suggestions to offer.

I've made two pairs of moggans, but no footed bag hose.

Here's the basics:

Take a piece of cloth that reaches corner to corner from the bottom edge of your kneecap to your toes.

Wrap it around your shin, seam it up the back with a flat-fold seam, leaving the sole of your foot uncovered.

Cut off the scraps, leaving a tube shaped to your leg.

You could probably just cut the outline of your foot and stitch the edges to make a bottom. I know I've seen at least one pair of moggans modified with a leather sole and some hobnails for traction.

**Joe Gondek** · 5th January 07, 12:35 PM

There an article in either Muzzle loader Mag. or On the Trail a little while ago
on making 18th century hose for knee pants it had food instructions and illistrations.
If You'd like I'll dig out my copy, photo copy it and send it to you

**Dreadbelly** · 5th January 07, 12:40 PM

I wonder if I could weave together some bag hose. Slip them over regular socks like leg warmers. Have a thick top over the calf. Could tuck them down in to your boot. Call them Mock Socks.

**Joe Gondek** · 5th January 07, 01:05 PM

[QUOTE][
I'm still putting together a set of decent kit for Jacobite reenactments which requires quite a bit of "do it myself-ing"
/QUOTE]

Are there a lot of Jacobite reenactments in your area? I'd like to Attend one .
Do you belong to a group?

**Brasilikilt** · 6th January 07, 10:24 AM

Hey Joe, PM sent.

About the bag hose, let me see if I have my terminology correct.
What I'm talking about making are knee-high socks made from woolen "tartan" cloth
Am I correct in calling them "hose", or does that refer to the footless socks I see sometimes???

You guys have certainly given me some good ideas to start with!
When I start sewing them, I'll likely have some more questions, but that's later.

take care

iain

**Woodsheal** · 6th January 07, 04:21 PM

Various patterns for 17th/18th C. sewn hose here:

http://www.orbitals.com/self/history/stocking.pdf

The ones on pages 8 and 11 are the easiest. Definitely sew your tartan fabric on the bias (diagonal), and adjust the height to below-the-knee (obviously!). Good luck....

**gilmore** · 6th January 07, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Various patterns for 17th/18th C. sewn hose here:

http://www.orbitals.com/self/history/stocking.pdf

The ones on pages 8 and 11 are the easiest. Definitely sew your tartan fabric on the bias (diagonal), and adjust the height to below-the-knee (obviously!). Good luck....

Thanks. Those are the best directions I have seen, so far.

**kg4zmf** · 7th January 07, 02:22 AM

I agree, that is one of the easier patterns. I have used one very similar to it for the last 15 years. The only change that I make is to alter it so that the whole sole of the foot, from heel to toe, is easily replaced. It is nothing to walk through 2 sets of soles during a reenacting season, and with the handwoven material at $80-90 per yard, it just makes sense to be able to replace the soles. Some of the guys replace it with a longer wearing fabric, especially as the soles of the feet won't be seen by the public, and it is a LOT cheaper. Add to that the fact that you get rid of the seams on the bottom of your foot, and it is a good idea. Add a couple of strips of coat weight red wool, and voila, instant garters.

You will have to play around with it a bit in order to get the size of the ankle right. If you make it TOO form fitting, you'll never get your foot through it. If it is too baggy, it looks bad. Once you get your pattern set, make a permanent pattern. I made mine out of brown grocery bags. Posterboard would work as well.

Here is one of the few pics I have of me at an event, and the only one showing my hose. The baghose are my latest pair (latest of three sets that I have made). The lass in the piccy is my wife. Sorry it is a bit fuzzy, as it is a scan of print photo.

Hope this helps a bit.

Andy

**Woodsheal** · 7th January 07, 11:11 AM

I've made them using that pattern, and it works well. I must admit, though, as a reenactor I prefer the footless version:

If you're at a really wet and muddy event, you have to change socks numerous times during the course of a weekend. Now, you can sew up a number of pairs of footed hose, which is expensive in terms of fabric and invested time, or one pair of footless hose... and just keep changing your under socks!