Work in the Factory - The Dye House and Boarding Room

LFP 1950-01-13 Holeproof Hosiery London; Dougan 2C.jpg

A photo of two men working at Holeproof Hosiery. One is demonstrating the technique for removing a freshly steamed and pressed stocking off hot metal form. This was a very specific maneuver that workers had to learn both to keep the integrity of the sock but also to protect themselves from injury. LFP 1950-01-13. Dougan 2C. London Free Press Collection of Photographic Negatives, Archives and Special Collections, Western Libraries, Western University.

LFP 1948-06-04 London Hosiery; A Graham.jpg

A photo of the inside of London Hosiery Mills taken during a tour of the factory. A young man demonstrates how they press and steam the stockings to get the desired shape on a metal sock form. LFP 1948-06-04. Graham. London Free Press Collection of Photographic Negatives, Archives and Special Collections, Western Libraries, Western University.

AFC 341-S8-I17 Luxite Textiles factory - dyeing area 2, c1920.jpg

In 1945, Holeproof Hosiery added a lingere factory to their growing operation in London. It was called Luxite and while it was originally part of the Bathurst plant, by the 1950s it moved to Talbot Street. This branch of Holeproof Hosiery made around thirty different items - including panties, gowns, pyjamas, and petticoats. AFC 341-S8-I16. Hines' Studio Collection, Archives and Special Collections, Western Libraries, Western University. 

AFC 341-S8-I16 Luxite Textiles factory - dyeing area 1, c1920.jpg

Holeproof Hosiery - Luxite Factory Dyeing area. AFC 341-S8-I17. Hines' Studio Collection, Archives and Special Collections, Western Libraries, Western University. 

The dyeing, washing, and drying typically took place in a near-by location within the factory. The partially finished socks – that were generally a cream or white colour – were coloured in large quantities in big containers. Then the socks were washed, steamed and dried. Notably, the stockings were dried on metal frames that were the shape of the sock, so that the dried sock would hold its desired shape.

Somann discusses the work that was done in the dye house.

Burns describes a semi-frequent accident that could happen in the dye department.

Burns describes how boarding machines worked and what they did to the stockings.

Work in the Factory - The Dye House and Boarding Room