If you have seen the Great Escape, you will remember this reference. Donald Pleasance, playing Blythe "the Forger", who did such great work producing fake documents for escaping POWs. But close work, straining to see in poor light, really damaged his eyesight.
I have had my sewing machine out over the weekend - repairing leggings for Liz, and shortening a pair of trousers for myself. Here are my current two Top Tips for needleworkers.
TIP 1If you keep a few bobbins already wound, label a couple white and black. It is incredibly easy to pick up a dark bottle green or navy blue bobbin - or a grey or cream one, in error. It saves a lot of squinting! If you can't see the difference between black and white bobbins, and you can't thread the needle TIP 2 get an eyetest.
I have had my sewing machine out over the weekend - repairing leggings for Liz, and shortening a pair of trousers for myself. Here are my current two Top Tips for needleworkers.
I had my last test in April 2023, but since Christmas I have been struggling with small print, and with needle threading. So I popped down to Vision Express, and discovered the sight in my right eye has deteriorated [fortunately there is no change in the cataract situation 'slight signs, nothing to worry about']
Pleased to report needles and small print no longer an issue. The glasses were not especially cheap - the varifocal lenses cost £££ even if the frames didn't. [I got my eye test free as an OAP]
But it is worth the money, I do a lot of close work. [Sewing, not forging passports] The new glasses are making a very positive impact Off to the dentists this morning - double appointment, first with hygienist then a routine check up. More ££££
Oh the joy of new glasses! My sight hardly changed in 4 years, but my glasses were so scratched that new ones were a revelation!
ReplyDeleteOh Kirsten , however did you scratch them?
DeleteOver zealous cleaning; I am now only using the special cloths and lens wipes! Lesson learned.
DeleteI'm OK then "over zealous cleaning" [of anything] is something I rarely indulge in
DeleteLove your cherry red glasses!
ReplyDeleteHave fun at the dentist ?
Thank you. All went well (but the hygienist says I should always have a drink of water after a strong coffee, to prevent staining)
DeleteMy dental appointment last week resulted in appointments for a filling and a crown!! Your new glasses really suit you and agree about close work being difficult when you are straining your eyes. Catriona
ReplyDeleteOoh! A crown 👑 will cost you a King's ransom 🦷
DeleteAnd made on a CNC router!
Delete🤣🤣🤣
DeleteI like your glasses. Eyes are so precious aren't they? I am so lucky only having to wear glasses for reading or threading a needle. My long vision is still fine and I'm able to drive without wearing glasses. I too have a small cataract but it hasn't changed in years. And I swear I am not copying you but I have a dental check-up tomorrow! Regards Sue H
ReplyDelete🦷 its our age! Next month, the podiatrist 👣
DeleteThat's a good tip about labelling bobbins. I like your new frames. My eyes are a mystery. The left one still gives distorted vision, despite the vitrectomy back in 2008, and I cannot read well with it alone. Yet the brain somehow compensates and allows the two eyes to work together! I'm very thankful to be able to read and see at my age.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to forget that centuries ago, older people really couldn't see very well [mind you, they didn't have small print or computer screens either]
DeleteEyesight is so precious isn't it. I have cataracts forming too and my left eye is getting more blurred. I'm terrified of having the operation so am desperately hoping the cataracts are slow forming ones :0/
ReplyDeleteI love your new glasses. They suit you!
Angie
I'm rather nervous about cataract ops too. But i am much braver about dentists these days, so perhaps I will manage eye ops when the Time comes
DeleteI’ve had both eyes “done” for cataracts. The operations were quick and painless and the recovery time minimal. What a difference it makes to your sight! My brother had his done recently after years of dithering and was delighted to have 20/20 vision for the first time in his life. He’s 77 and had worn glasses for over 70 years.
DeleteYou will manage fine. I was very anxious but managed well-much to my surprise! C
DeleteThank you Lynda and C. That is very reassuring
DeleteDear ange I’ve been following your blog for many years and find it inspirational comforting amusing but I just had to say next time you shop for specs try the “big A” supermarket .After shopping at the SS opticians for years a friend recommended A I was delighted to find only the frames are charged for so even though I have varifocle lenses the price was well under half what I’ve previously paid (just had two cataracts removed so my eyesight is now better than it has been for years ) best wishes Frederica from sunny yorkshire
ReplyDeleteWhat's the Big A supermarket?? Aldi? Amazon?
DeleteAsda I think
DeleteThank you Federica. Spectacles are expensive, and it is always wise to check out what is on offer. I am not fussed about "designer" frames, but I do need to be sure about the quality of the eye test and the lenses prescribed.
ReplyDeleteYou look wonderful in the new glasses and nobody I know of does such close work, reading and sewing, as you do. Vision is so, so important as you say. JanF
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan.
DeleteLovely bright new glasses, we have to look after our eyes don't we. Gosh I remember back in the day being able to thread a needle with no trouble whatsoever, now I always have to reach for my glasses and be in a good light.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're not forging documents. ;-)
👓🧵😂
DeleteI also paid £££'s for new glasses, but got an offer of buy one get another half price. As I have the beginnings of MD, the optician recommended I wear sunglasses in the bright light/sunshine, so my half price pair were sunglasses. That's the trouble with getting old, bits start dropping off! Xx
ReplyDeleteI decided not to get a second pair. Last time I did that I hardly ever wore them!
DeleteAs I only have one working eye, aye, I dread my eyesight deteriorating. You look v smart in cherry red. We have the special visitors at work tomorrow. Ah!!
ReplyDeleteHope it goes ok
DeleteYou've reminded me that I've put off getting my eyes checked for new glasses. Need to add that to my to do list! I like the red frames on your new glasses. :)
ReplyDeleteYes you should get them tested,especially as you too are a needleworker, Bless
DeleteUnfortunately decided not to go with my local independent optometrist who look after my eyes expertly (cataracts detected too) because the lenses alone are coming in at £570!(slimmed down lenses, varifocals). I'm not confident in SS, had a couple of disappointmens with them in the past, although I did buy new prescription sunglasses from them the other week on their BOGOF offer -no need for slimmed down varifocal lenses so just paid normal price. I also got a 'golden ticket from them which entitles me to 50% off but not in conjunction with any of their offers. So, bit of a quandary which way to go. I love my existing specs which cost me dear 4 years ago so deffo need to change them with latest prescription showing small changes.
ReplyDeleteSo expensive!!
DeleteI haven't had my eyes checked since 2020 and I know I need to get it done plus get new glasses. Unfortunately, our insurance doesn't cover the eye doctor and because I wear progressive lenses I know it's going to cost a fortune. But need to do it since things are getting harder to see.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the bobbin tip which will be really useful. I like your new cherry red frames but I'm even more pleased that the glasses have given you better vision for close up work.
ReplyDelete👍
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