Shedding blood for the cause

Here's a handy tip for anyone stupid enough to use that many pins on a fairly small area of fabric - when you inevitably impale yourself on one several and bleed on the present you are making for someone else, wad up a length of thread and soak it with saliva. Then dab at the blood with it until the immediate area is soaked and the blood will magically disappear! I was told this by a friend who made costumes for Opera Australia and bugger me if it doesn't work! Something to do with the enzymes in the saliva apparently. It certainly saved my bacon when I made my wedding dress - and in this case too. Drops of blood may be all very romantic in fairy tales when they fall on the windowsill or the snow, but not in real life!