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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to make 'stuff'

228 replies

Tinklewinkle · 31/05/2015 15:09

I had a bit of a...I wouldn't call it an argument really...with a friend last night. I know I shouldn't let it upset me, or pay it any attention, but I've been stewing on it a bit and I am quite upset about it.

I've been hunting for a rug for DD's bedroom, but we couldn't really find anything that DD liked, was the size we wanted and wasn't silly £££.

I like craft (sewing, knitting, crochet, etc) and find sitting still in front of the TV quite hard so need something to fiddle with and usually knit or crochet. I've just made some granny square blankets and am over knitting at the moment, so I thought I'd have a go at making a rag rug. It's the ultimate in mindless craft, I can do a bit each evening with one eye on Eastenders and not have to concentrate on it too much.

Anyway, friends were over last night, their kids play with ours, we get a takeaway and usually have a nice evening. Friend came in and clocked the half done rug folded up over the arm of the sofa.

She asked what I was making now, with a bit of eye rolling, said I was having a go at making a rag rug, she was a bit "oh, FFS Hmm" I just laughed it off, and said "oh, you know what I'm like" and left it at that

A bit later she bought the subject of the rug up again and had a huge go at me about it. "Why can't I just buy a rug like normal people?", that I'm making my kids a laughing stock with all the handmade stuff "what's wrong with Disney Princess/Frozen/whatever stuff", why do I always have to be different and that it's intensely irritating that I'm so arty farty about everything

I said that I enjoyed making stuff and the kids had never complained about anything I'd made them (I don't make clothes, I'm rubbish at dress making, but I like messing about with stuff like bunting and cushions and house-y guff)

Initially, I was a bit "fuck off and mind your own business" but like I say, I've been stewing a bit and am a bit upset by it. It feels like a huge criticism of me if that makes sense. And, the kids/laughing stock comment has cut a bit.

OP posts:
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HeyDuggee · 02/06/2015 17:04

Next time she she tells you she find something you do intensely irritating... You should do something about that then, because I've no intention of changing.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 02/06/2015 17:27

Long live the Stuff Makers!Grin
Brew & Cake for allSmile

Elvish · 02/06/2015 18:15

OP, I now have an urge to make a rug for my study craft cave Grin

Can someone please help me out, what is the easiest way to make a rag rug like the OPs and where do I buy the backing stuff?

Links would be much appreciated - TY Flowers

catmaze · 02/06/2015 18:50

I took the top off of my old dresser and turned it into a bookcase, the bottom is used to keep the telly on in the dining room. I can't be arsed with sanding so both have been painted a pale greeny grey colour that I mixed myself. I like an eclectic look and my new neighbour came in the other day, and said she loved my house, it's exactly how she would love to have hers. I was flattered but I do things that I like and if other people don't care for it I don't mind at all.

I'm always sawing, painting, sewing and such like and I've saved a fortune over the years, but that's not why I do it. My DD calls it recycling.

Just be confident about your own taste OP, I love everything to be pale and sun bleached too, it makes me happy and it's beautiful.

I read once that all nastiness is based on jealousy and as I've got older I think I've come to realise there is some truth in this.

I think I would love your home.

Allofaflumble · 02/06/2015 18:57

Not a very "friendly" thing for her to say to you.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 02/06/2015 20:22

Elvish if you can crochet all you need is a big ass crochet hook and longish strips of fabric tied together and rolled into a ball.

there are tutorials on Pinterest/YouTube on how to cut up old t-shirts (or any bits of fabric really) to make long fabric strips.

Elvish · 02/06/2015 20:56

Thanks Zing, I will have a look on you tube. I don't crochet (yet) but I'm looking for something else to try!

By the way OP, I felt it was obvious that your "friend" was BVU by the unanimous vote of MN, but I should have mentioned it - I just got carried away with excitement at rugs BlushGrinThanks

Elvish · 02/06/2015 20:56

Thanks Zing, I will have a look on you tube. I don't crochet (yet) but I'm looking for something else to try!

By the way OP, I felt it was obvious that your "friend" was BVU by the unanimous vote of MN, but I should have mentioned it - I just got carried away with excitement at rugs BlushGrinThanks

Tinklewinkle · 02/06/2015 21:15

Sorry, got distracted with the kids

Elvish. I posted some links on the bottom of page 1 to the tools I bought, and I'm just using normal hessian

You can use this stuff too but it wasn't big enough for what I wanted

I'm using sheeting fabric for the rags, it's cheap, very wide and I already had it kicking about, but you can use old clothes, anything really.

OP posts:
ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 02/06/2015 22:09

I'm really tempted to post photos of the hexagon patches I'm soon to assemble to make a beautiful "I spy" quilt for my children.
anyone care to twist my arm?
(just so I don't look like I'm braggingWink Grin )

Elvish · 03/06/2015 07:54

Thanks Tinkle!

Yes please Zing, I'll appreciate them for you.

Your friend might not think your crafting is worthwhile Tinkle but you've really made me excited about rugs WineSmile

Tinklewinkle · 03/06/2015 08:34

Thanks! I am much happier about it all now and refuse to give it any more head space.

Yes Zing, post pics!

This is my rug so far

to make 'stuff'
OP posts:
KittiesInsane · 03/06/2015 08:45

Go on Zing!
I could post my only ever attempt at a hexagon quilt but I gave up after about 10 patches, so it's a place mat. We do have several square patch ones not done on the sewing machine, definitely not

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 03/06/2015 09:42

Here are my 5.5" hexagons. Most are basted and ready to go,some still need a bit of work (including the patches that will have the numbers 1-12 appliqued on and not shown).

to make 'stuff'
to make 'stuff'
KittiesInsane · 03/06/2015 09:44

That's stunning even before it's sewn together, Zing!

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 03/06/2015 09:47

Thank you

SoupDragon · 03/06/2015 09:58

And it too so much arm twisting to make you post it :o

Moreisnnogedag · 03/06/2015 10:35

Oh zing that's lovely. Are the letters just appliquéd on? How do you bind your hex quilts?

tinkle that looks lovely and soft - how big will it end up?

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 03/06/2015 10:57

I know SoupyGrin

More I don't bind them.
I add extra hexagons that form the edges of the back. then I roughly cut the wadding & backing to the right size and shape and slip the edges into the opening (like your foot into a slipper). then quilt.
I don't know how to explain better so will post a few pics of the back of my Christmas mat.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 03/06/2015 11:03

Here is back of Xmas tree mat.
I hope you can see what I mean.

to make 'stuff'
to make 'stuff'
to make 'stuff'
slithytove · 03/06/2015 11:13

Wow zing that is just gorgeous! All hand stitched?

I would love to be able to quilt, but I have no dexterity or neatness whatsoever, I can't even cut straight.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 03/06/2015 11:43

yes, handstitched.
but it's just stuff you see, my poor kids are soo embarrassed by it!Wink Grin

slithytove · 03/06/2015 11:59

You're right, my children should be grateful Im so cack handed and uncreative. Dodged a bullet there Grin

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 03/06/2015 12:01

arfGrin Grin

windymila · 03/06/2015 12:51

I love all this crafty talk, I learnt crochet last year and I've had nothing but good vibes from people who have seen the (wonky) blanket I made. I think she is jealous of your creativity! You should definitely consider Annie Sloan chalk pain for your dresser. I had a horrible pine one and this is what it looks like now... took me one weekend, and that was mainly stripping the varnish for the bit I wanted kept wooden.

to make 'stuff'
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