Fit fingers

sir – What a shame that sewing is now considered sexist (report, June 13).

Many surgeons sew in order to keep their fingers supple. I have sewn samplers and tapestries for years, and it has given me much pleasure. Once, I completed a miniature sampler for a doll’s house on material which had 84 stitches to the inch – now that’s small!

All children should learn how to sew. It helps to develop hand-eye co-ordination – a skill which carries over into many other areas. David J Hartshorn

Badby, Northamptonshire