Seamed Tights and Stockings

Originally stockings could only be made with a seam as they were produced flat on the knitting machine and were then sewn at the back, usually by hand. The invention of the circular knitting machine meant that stockings without seams could now be produced. Seamless stockings became more popular as they were easier to wear as the wearer didn’t have to keep checking to see if the seems were straight.  Although some women still prefer seamed stockings. During the Second World War when stockings were scarce women would often draw seams on the backs of the legs to give the appearance they were wearing stockings.