“We should not touch the needle and we should not stitch the clothes at nighttime”
A saying, we all were told by our parents and grandparents (for 1990 Borns). But do you know the real scientific reason behind it? Well, this is post is all about it.
We were told not to use the needle or to stitch clothes at nighttime, these words have been in practice since ancient times. Itwas said considering the situations of those days. In olden days we don’t have electricity, and during nights, lamps that run on oil were used. In that lighting only they will do works that are essential at that time. Using a needle in that low lighting environment for stitching clothes is a bit difficult.(Feel free to try it, if you don’t believe me. Just turn off all the lights and light an oil lamp and start working). This also results in eyesight problems.
To our luck, If we lost the needle in that lighting god knows what, How difficult it is to find it and chances are there that someone might get hurt while walking. Considering all these issues it was told that “ we shouldn’t touch the needle at night times.”
But this is not applicable to present days. We have all the electric light facilities now and it’s almost like we are working in the daytime, and we also know that many tailors work in the night only.Some people say stitching in the nights is a sin. But now I think after reading the real reason everyone realizes the fact.
7 thoughts on “Why we should not stitch clothes at nighttime?”
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Very right. In old days there was no day type lighting arrangements and hence the reason for not stitching at night was valid at that time. This turned into superstition. Even today, shopkeepers don’t sell needle after dark.
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Thanks
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See AlsoBenefits of A Sewing Side HustleYa correct
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why we should not stitch old clothes in Tuesday
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My grandma said that if you stitch at night, it will affect your eye sight. It may get blur.
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Thank you so much!Now I know what the reason is.Why my mom and grandma told me not to stitch in the evening or even cutting the nails.
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As a seasoned expert in cultural practices and traditional beliefs, I can confidently shed light on the scientific reasoning behind the age-old advice of not stitching clothes at nighttime, as mentioned in the provided article.
The saying, "We should not touch the needle and we should not stitch the clothes at nighttime," has roots in historical circ*mstances that are deeply intertwined with the technological limitations of the past. In ancient times, when electricity was not yet harnessed, people relied on oil lamps for illumination during the night. This limited and dim lighting posed challenges for various tasks, especially intricate activities such as stitching.
During those times, the practicality of using a needle in low-light environments was a genuine concern. If you were to turn off all lights and rely solely on an oil lamp, you would quickly realize the difficulty of carrying out tasks like stitching. This not only affected the quality of the work but also had potential health implications, particularly on eyesight. Stitching in poor lighting conditions could strain the eyes and lead to eyesight problems over time.
Moreover, the risk of losing a needle in such low lighting was a real issue. In the dim light, locating a small object like a needle could be challenging, and there was a possibility of someone getting hurt while walking barefoot. To mitigate these challenges and risks, the advice was passed down through generations: "we shouldn't touch the needle at nighttime."
However, it's crucial to emphasize that this guidance is rooted in the historical context of limited lighting technology. In the present day, with the widespread availability of electric lighting, the constraints of working at night have significantly diminished. Many tailors and individuals now work in the evening or nighttime without any adverse effects.
The comments from individuals in the article echo the sentiment that this advice has persisted as a superstition even in contemporary times. Some mention that shopkeepers still avoid selling needles after dark, showcasing the lasting impact of traditional beliefs.
In conclusion, understanding the historical context of cultural practices allows us to appreciate the evolution of such advice. While it made practical sense in the past, advancements in technology have rendered this guidance obsolete for modern times.
