matraina

Gosh, I know how you feel. I must wear compression hose, too. They cost nearly $100/pair. They have a buy two, get one free. I have tried to mend those I have (by hand) but then they're uncomfortable to wear. I usually get the holes in the big toe area. Mine are prescription and I'd be afraid any alteration would ruin the prescription. Don't know this for sure, though.

ArchaicArcane

Thanks for that warning. I know I would have found out the hard way. We've definitely slowed down to smell the roses and appreciate the simpler things. We're definitely celebrating the baby steps too.

Thanks for this! I was planning on using the slightly tighter one as a template but sneaking up on the proper dimensions sounds like a good way to do it. There's a lot of scar tissue and skin grafts that I don't want to have a seam wearing against, so I will definitely approach it like you mention.

You're right, he's wearing long pants for the most part but interestingly he's always been like that - to the point of his legs practically glowing when we went to Mexico a few years ago! - but he's wearing shorts more now at home because he got used to it when he was laid up.

I don't recall what these ones cost but I think it's higher than that. They're working though and insurance is reimbursing us for most or all of it. That's helping a lot (other than cash flow of course) What is making them uncomfortable after mending? Is it the seam itself, the bulk if any that's left, something else? I have the same problem you have with socks. I often blow holes in the big toes of my socks. It's usually my toe nails that do it. If they get a little too long they cut the threads of the socks. I wonder if clipping the toes out of a regular sock and putting it in the stocking first would help?

Mimiqwerty

Once you get it adjusted to the right compression, it still may not stay up. That's what happened with mine. I used a product called "It Stays" and it worked great for me. It comes in a bottle like a roll-on deodorant, and you just roll some on your calf and press the stocking onto it for a few seconds. It doesn't hurt the fabric or your skin and it washes off with water. It worked so well on my stockings that I started using it to keep those pesky bra straps from drooping. Not affiliated with this company, but I really like the product IMHO.

jitkaau

It is recommended that they only be used for 6 months before re-newing so I suggest you have a look at the "use by" date before going to a lot of trouble. I have heaps of trouble with mine not staying up but have found the glue that Jobst produces to keep them up has solved the problem. A roll -on bottle costs about $22 in this country and it is called "It Stays". You should be able to buy it from the place you buy the stockings or the chemist/drug store. You don't need to use much. I use about 3 bottles per year.

ArchaicArcane

Strangely whenever we receive the stockings, they're basically a loose stocking in a shipping envelope - if sent by mail by the hospital - or handed to him opened. I suppose we can go by the date his CC was charged and add a week or so for the expiry date.

Well, I received a PM that said that modifying the stocking could cause problems - ie blood clots if not well done, so I won't modify and will look into the roll on some more. The concern I have is how safe it is for a relatively new skin graft. I haven't been able to find ingredients in an admittedly short look - I found a funnel page for the product itself - didn't like that and then possibly a manufacturer link that showed me dealers in my area - mostly the medical aid shops.

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions. I do appreciate it!

matraina

Archaic Arcane, yes, it's the stitching repairing the hole. Insurance does not cover any of this type of hose for me but I have to have them because of titanium heart valves.

cricket_iscute

I've faced this issue with knee braces. How about an old-fashioned (but maybe masculinized) garter belt? You can get the metal garter parts cheaply at JoAnn's Fabric. No warranty wrecked, hopefully, and he can adjust via the garter belt adjustment (like a bra adjustment) that you can build in. A garter belt has two garters, but maybe he needs four. Still, it's a cheap solution and an afternoon's work.

If you do sew on the stocking, use a rounded point or ball point needle and, I agree, don't take the current seam out. I would not use a serger (I know you like vintage machines) because it is intended to cut the fabric. I would use a zig zag stitch if possible, one that takes smaller stitches in every zig zag, i.e., a stretch stitch.

I hope he does better every day. Hang in there!

maviskw

Finally someone came up with the hint about the needle. That is very important when sewing on knits, and even more so with this application. I would sew a new line down the whole leg, making it narrower. That way, one line of sewing medium to large stitches would suffice.
And everybody: cut those big toe nails. I don't have that problem anymore. My fungal nails don't grow, so don't cut up my socks. Ha ha!
And good luck.

DOTTYMO

I would do the same as Tartan says with the stitch to ensure it is tight enough. Then, when that seam is in the correct place then cut and strengthen.