Sewing seems to be a lost art that back in the day was the only way to go.
You've got the patience of a saint to be able to do all of that stitching by hand.
My mom was a real seamstress, she made much of the clothing for our family of seven. She made leisure suits for my dad when they were in style, and she made the wedding dresses for both of my sisters.
I could never do the intricate work you do, but I can sew on a pretty good patch, and replacing buttons is a sinch.
As you stated, most people just throw stuff away rather than even attempt fixing something, and that holds true for most items, what a waste.
Wow, your mum sounds like she was talented! I love the idea of making wedding dresses, but I think that's a bit beyond me.
I find it hard to just sit and watch TV without keeping my hands occupied, so sewing means I can accomplish something at the same time.
I find it rather sad to think that quality has gone so low that things often aren't as repairable these days. My grandmother's sewing kit even had fine threads for repairing stockings, which indicates that she used to have those old ones that could be repaired. Something I've never experienced. Once stockings ladder now, there isn't really any repairing them.
My mom was one of a kind. She could never sit still unless there was a project in her lap.
Needle and thread for stockings, I've never heard of that either.
The only thing that an old pair of stockings are good for nowadays is putting over your head when you want to rob a bank, or as a mask for... never mind.