Time capsules

There was a vintage haberdashery sale at work. One of my colleagues was raising money for the hospice that had cared for her late aunt by passing on her notions to good homes. Her aunt had asked her to promise that she wouldn't throw them away and I think she found the perfect way of honouring that promise. I love picking up used haberdashery and thinking about the projects the remains were part of or the hands that held the tools. We talked about the patterns her aunt had made for her and it was all even more real.

I also love the amount of information you can glean from, and the memories triggered by, something as simple as the price label on this thread. 6 1/2p. Suddenly I'm back in the sweet shop spending my few 1/2 pennies carefully. This must be older than me though; they stopped clarifying theses were decimal pence being charged some way before I could ever read a price label.

I've never seen linen thread before - so strong though - it makes perfect sense. I'll be using it next time my coat button comes off (I've sewed it on three or four times already!) and my thoughts will be of a different time.