So many of us are so dependent on the stores to provide us what we need, until recently myself included. I've begun to realize that there are very few things that we actually need to depend on someone else to make for us .
When I moved into my apartment 3 years ago, there was an atrocious brown-grey mat in the front hall. I kept it because there were more important things to spend my money on.
A few weeks ago, the edges started to fray and curl so that closing the door on my way in or out was a battle that ended with me kicking or throwing the mat into the dining room.
One day, with a little time to spare, I started to look online for patterns for homemade welcome mats. I found so many beautiful ideas! Mats can be made at home out of stone, cork, fabric, anything you can imagine!
Having a suitcase of old fabric and no knowledge of sewing, I decided to braid a rug.
A few hours on the floor listening to music and wrapping strips of black and red cloth, and it was done! My own welcome mat I had made myself!
Looking at it there in my front hall, it feels so good to know that I made it myself at no cost.
So many things we buy in the store we can easily (and cheaply) make ourselves at home - blankets, throw pillows, coasters, bags, clothes.
It's so much fun to do, and it feels great to avoid stores full of overpriced and low quality items not made with the same love and care. I've been needing a new wallet for a couple months now, so if you'll excuse me I'm going to get started on one.
I remember I started to make a rag rug after reading Sylvia Plath's diaries -- she made one, and I was a little obsessed. I braided a whole lot of rags, but never sewed it together.
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