Tuesday 7 August 2012

A little Label Love

Last week we went to the school uniform shop


Early, I know; but there's a 20% discount if you buy before the end of July. So, on the morning of the 31st we joined half of the rest of town in the queue, which stretched from the door of the shop to - oh, New York, maybe.

It was worth the wait though. I love this place! It's a proper old fashioned glass topped counter kind of a shop with pull-out wooden drawers and shelves stacked high with carefully folded piles. Think card catalogues stuffed with socks. A librarian's dream shop.

We bought a skirt that was nearly long enough to meet the regulations; a new scarf (essential for all fashion forward novice Middle Schoolers); and some extra, extra long trousers. Then we brought it all home.

They asked me if I wanted the bag left upstairs so that I could sew on name tapes and I said yes; and when I went to do it later on in the afternoon - that's when I realised; this is my boy's last "New Year". The last time I'll take him to the shop and wrangle him into something he doesn't want to buy and the last time I'll bring it home and sew his name into it.

So I thought I'd better make a page. And here it is


With some October Afternoon 9 to 5, a Kesi 'art bicycles paper, a bicycle stamp from MME and a Hambly rub on


I'm off to sort through some drawers now and snip the buttons off old school shirts. You never know when they might come in handy..

Storytelling Sunday - I hope you enjoyed it this month. I know I did! Don't forget - you have the rest of the week to join in. It's definitely not too late. And if you are reading in a Reader - please, click through, put your feet up, enjoy..



35 comments:

debs14 said...

I still have some left over name labels that the nostalgic part of me refuses to throw away. Although at almost 26 and 22, it's unlikely either of mine will want their clothes name tagged! My speciality was sewing a tag on beautifully, and then realising it was lop sided!
My son hated cloth name tags as he grew up and I had to resort to writing with indelible ink on washing labels. It wasn't the same !

Amy said...

I am impressed you still sew them on, there are some fabulous iron on ones these days - it's a lot quicker!
It's a big year ahead for you - I know you will make the most of all the ups and downs.

Mary B said...

what a great idea to record this. and well done on sewing on labels, I know I used to do so but that was a good many years ago and there are quicker ways now but not nearly so permanent

Mel said...

Ah I remember that good old back to school ritual. I love the use of bikes on your layout - fits well with the theme!

Alana said...

I'm so glad I don't have to do the labelling and school uniform buying any more....college clothes consist of jeans and a tee:))) with worn holed plimsolls.

Carmen said...

Oh god I now feel so lazy. Black biro does the job for me :D When Devvie first started school I tried the iron in ones, fell out first wash. I tried the sew in ones, am such a bad sewer! She passed me a pen the next time...

Jimjams said...

A lovely page for a simple family moment - for me it was always the night before the term started whatever my best intentions - and sew-on were best as iron on ones couldn't take the washing and biro was no good either. We still have dozens of left over tags though - it seemed cheaper to buy in bulk when they started school!

Lou said...

I'm surprised you didn't take any photos inside the beautifully described shop...A lovely way to have recorded the occassion though xx Brilliant layout, the colours the words the bicycle just perfect x

Beverly said...

Once again loving the everyday, simple parts of your life you preserve. I could picture the shop and long line but school uniforms are not something we've ever dealt with.

Elizabeth said...

It's a really nice layout. I know I was really sad when my daughter no longer wanted me to go back to school shopping with her. They grow up so fast. I, too, would have loved to see the inside of that shop.

Sue Althouse said...

I never went through this ritual, either growing up or with our son. I think that is my loss. Would love to see the inside of this store! Love that you made a page about it. That's why I love this hobby.

scrappyjacky said...

That shop sounds very like our local uniform shop....I loved it....the kids did not!!

Melissa said...

What a great idea for a layout, preserving the memory of this "last" time. I really like that gridded background paper.

Nathalie said...

I love this page Sian and I love the fact that you made it right then to savor that special moment. I too would have loved to see photos of the shop!

humel said...

Oh, my! I picked up The Tomboy's last ever primary school jumpers (because, frankly, if she loses all of these she can shiver...!) but this is even more of a milestone - and, of course, beautifully documented xx

Sandie said...

That shop sounds amazing - a real time warp. There must be mixed feelings sewing in name labels for the last time xx

Maria Ontiveros said...

We spend so much time documenting the "firsts" of our kids that it's wonderful when we notice and are able to reflect on their "lasts" as well. I got all teary at the last Halloween costume parade of elementary school with Clara and had a really good chat with Henry after his last Little League (baseball) game. But I don't remember the "last" time I rocked either of them in my Grandmother's rocking chair or read them a bedtime story.
rinda

505whimsygirl said...

The little shop sounds so quaint. And oh, how those drawers sound perfect for my craft room (that I don't have but wish for)!

I don't remember my mom sewing in my name to clothing items. Good thing you thought of making a scrapbook page!

Hugs,
Kay

Emily D. said...

I always find it fascinating to read about other's school shopping experiences, especially for those with children who wear uniforms. I wish my kids went to a school where uniforms were required. It seems like it would make things easier....

I love this layout.. fantastic as always.

Anonymous said...

The shop sounds fabulous and you will be amazed at how quickly this last year goes.

Karen said...

The only time I had to sew on labels was for summer camp. The shop sounds like one I would really like--as I do your page!

Missus Wookie said...

Princess had to put labels on her first year at school, they don't have to for sixth form.

One of my few homeschooling regrets is that because Ewok stopped mid term, I didn't get the 'last firsts' I was thinking I would.

Sensible to keep the buttons ;)

Alison said...

I remember going into a shop exactly as you describe for my own school uniforms.....and I have to confess to being a 'biro labeller' latterly!
Alison xx

Barbara Eads said...

I always love school shopping too. Now I get to do it with my granddaughters. Somehow, they tend to get more "stuff" than my girls got. Grammy just can't say "no."

Ginger said...

I love navy and orange together, such a classic combination :) It's a beautifully documented moment Sian. Perhaps there is an album you can keep of the stories that come up this year :)

smcl said...

Hi- Susan from America here wondering why it is the last time for your boy? It is a wonderful layout and I can very well imagine the shop from your description & I can remember the feelings as well of many years of uniform shopping. Thx.

Sian said...

Hi Susan, It's because he is going to be starting his very last year of school in September. This time next year he is hoping to be going off to university with no need for labelled uniform any more

Susanne said...

The only thing I ever marked with my kids names were their gym clothes; and in high school, they were smart enough to leave a place on the outside of the shirt and shorts that you could use markers, so that the gym teacher could remember their last names. But alas, we are past gym in high school.

alexa said...

What an iconic thing to make a page about, Sian! Last time ... there'll be a number of those, I hate to tell you, coming up in the next year. You might have to start a special album for them all!

smcl said...

Gotcha - I thought your son was younger for some reason. My oldest is almost ready to graduate from college, just one or two semesters left.

Anonymous said...

Great looking layout Sian. That shop sounds wonderful. Sounds like it's going to be an up & down year for you with all the last times of your son's year.

Wanda said...

You are a genius at capturing and celebrating every day events. I'm betting your children (and hopefully one day) your grandchildren will enjoy the family history you crafted.

Paula - Buenos Aires said...

I´ll be where you are now next March, putting together his last lot of school stuff. *sigh* I hope to remember your layout idea! :D

Ifa said...

They don't have that kinda shop anymore, do they ? We don't have school uniform for him anymore. I was dreading going shopping with him but he went with dad when I was camping. He opted for suits and shirts, much to my relief!

Jennifer Grace said...

Ooh, got a little distracted there, as you made me realise I haven't got any name labels yet to sew onto little miss's school clothes. Thanks for the reminder! I've ordered them now!

The page looks great, it's a nice thing to commemorate. I like the bicycle stamp on there! x

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