I must have been about ten, or eleven, and we were still in the Vicker's house on Caillard Road ( before Mother and Dad, in a really bold move, bought the house in Rectory Close). Mother had bought two aprons, with faint designs stamped on each one's pocket. My task was supposed to be embroidering them, for her.

Well, I didn't want to do it! Never made a move to start them. She sent me up to my bedroom to get with it ... this was no USA child's room, no heat and no entertainment devices. I cried and sobbed, producing no relief, and, finally set about embroidering. It even grew interesting.

After Ted and I married and he bought me a nice machine, I really learned to sew. I even learned to do it the haute couture way - lined, interlined and beautifully finished. We had matching shirts and it was fun. Polyester double knit was big at that time and I sewed a lot of it.

I also enjoyed sewing for Philippa and made her several things, including that little, yellow smocked dress made of a soft satiny fabric.

Now, I still sew things like curtains, comforters and crate blankets but , no longer, clothing. The shape lacks a certain encouragement!