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'Ware
NeedlesYour dire warning (The World of Embroidery, March 2000) reminded me of another and similar catastrophe which happened some years ago when I was working in a chest hospital. A nun was admitted who had been in the habit of holding pins and needles in her mouth (which many people do) but, unfortunately, she had taken a breath in and down went one of the needles. X-ray showed it sitting in the middle of one of her lungs. She had to suffer a lobectomy to have it removed.
You can imagine that I am now always nervous when I see people doing this but, on the whole, it seems to be more of a habit among dressmakers then embroiderers. However, take heed.
Phyllis Lee
Swindon, Wilts
...and...November 2000
On the wall of the church at Dedham, Essex (Constable country), there is a memorial tablet to an 18th century (I think) lady who choked to death on the pins she was holding in her mouth as she did her sewing.
Connie Charlton
Enfield, Middlesex