DID you know the use of the word ‘sewing’ was coined in the 14th century?

No, Neither did I and, to be honest, I’m only interested in the history of it because it seems over the last few weeks, I’ve become a connoisseur of the needle and thread.

Yes, it’s that time of year where parents get consumed with sorting everything out for the new school term and have the task of stitching hundreds of name tags into uniforms.

Now, As my friends kindly reminded me, there are other options to make life easier, such as iron-on tags or even paying someone to do it, but I really quite enjoy it and it allows me to play a part in the whole ‘starting school’ experience.

Plus for thousands of years, all sewing was done by hand and it was only when the sewing machine was invented in the 19th century things began to change.

If it was good enough for our ancestors, well I can handle a few jabs of a needle and a sore thumb for a short period of time!

It’s quite nostalgic too as I clearly remember my uniform having my name stitched in and still have some of my extra tags from all those years ago in my sewing box.

It made me want to take care of my ‘stuff’ and meant I didn’t lose anything.

I actually liked seeing my name in red threaded print. On reflection, It was my gran who taught me to sew and also to crochet little doilies that she liked to place all over her house which was the interior fashion of that time.

I often wonder if I still have the knack, especially now textile arts are back in fashion and can be quite therapeutic.

But the stitching name tag scenario is a never ending story I’ve just worked out.

I’m now moving on to my littlest who is starting nursery and then of course there’s the growth issue—as soon as I’ve finished, I’ll be needing to buy the next size up and the whole rigmarole will begin again!.