What a find:

Lately I have found myself wondering into charity shops when out and about. To day I found myself in the British Heart Foundation charity shop on Bold Street. At the back of the shop they had quite an array of books. I began looking through them to see if there was anything of interest and look at what I found. Mrs Beetons Book of Needlework which was first published in 1870 alas my copy was published in 2007. However,it is an absolutely fascinating read, as you can imagine because it relates to the needlework crafts and fashions of her time. It has patterns for linen collars trimmed with tatting, a cravat end in raised embroidery. It even has instructions on how to make a knitted bodice (something that Mrs Beeton herself would have probably wore)and a Lady's veil in net and tatting. As I sat on the bus going home looking through the book, I transported back in time when these crafts and hobbies we call today were an essential part of life. Now how many people can get all that for just £2.75.