# SDMB Tactical Craft Ensemble **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 16, 2001, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550 "2001-08-16T13:26:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/1 "2001-08-16T13:26:41Z")
Crafty Dopers, come on out and share what your craft hobby is and what (if anything) you’re working on now! I sew, clothes mostly, and right now I’m in the middle of sewing a bunch of pyjamas for my kids. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/2 "2001-08-16T13:32:29Z")
I knit and crochet and sew. Lately my sewing is boat-related - sail covers and cushion covers and such - plus I’ve made my daughter’s Homecoming and prom dresses. I’ve got an afghan that’s almost completed, and I just bought a new book of afghan patterns. I’m planning to make some and donate them to the local battered women’s shelter. Everyone in the family has at least one of my afghans already, so I figure I’d use my hobby for good instead of for gifts. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/3 "2001-08-16T13:36:14Z")
Believe it of not, I used to sit around with my Granny watching afternoon teevee while knitting. Got a hell of a scarf out of it - the boys down the pub were mightily impressed ! Been a long time now, though. Just aching to get those needles out again 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BunnyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BunnyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyGirl)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/4 "2001-08-16T13:45:12Z")
I sew, quilt, and embroider. Last winter, I made a box with my dad to hold all my essential oils. Pretty cool looking: gloss black exterior with brass hardward and a shiney dragon red interior. Sharp! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/5 "2001-08-16T13:49:18Z")
Trying to teach myself to play the guitar, though I have an idiot for an instructor. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/6 "2001-08-16T13:59:40Z")
I drink like a fish; I have a heroic collection of bottlecaps from around the world. Some people say that’s a hobby more than a craft, but I respond that it takes great talent to imbibe as much as I do. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/7 "2001-08-16T14:08:41Z")
I sew - clothes, slipcovers, upholstery, curtains, you name it. I also quilt, traditional patchwork quilts. I don’t care for applique. I crochet like a demon - or I used to. I haven’t for awhile. I also enjoy doing cross-stitch, and refinishing old wooden furniture. ---
**Author:** ![Pucette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@Pucette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucette)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/8 "2001-08-16T14:41:02Z")
I love needlepoint. Have to lock the cats in the bathroom though, because they really like destroying the threads… I also collect dustbunnies and make little towns and sculptures with them. Ok, not really. ---
**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/9 "2001-08-16T15:35:13Z")
Lessee, Right now I rebuild old computers for fun, and I have a mad weekend of furniture refinishing planned while **moi** is off at Pennsic. (Yeah, I know, I have my reasons) I also occassionaly go out and shoot black powder firearms, though I guess that’s more of a hobby. Till I start building one. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/10 "2001-08-16T16:20:11Z")
Regular Crafts: I’m farily adept and skillful at building stuff, like framing, sheetrock, plumbing, ya know. . . Heck, I built a _really_ nice bar not too long ago. Yes, I said bar. I’ll post pictures tonight. . . **Tactical** Crafts: I’m dang good with a map and compass, and I can build radios, do ropework, and build explosive stuff. I’m a pretty good shot with a rifle, and I’m also good with clearing out a bar of it’s beer stash. I don’t care what you say, they are hobbies and crafts. Tripler Hey, read the subject. It says “Tactical”! ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/11 "2001-08-16T18:04:29Z")
I’m with you on that, **Trip** , I read “Tactical Craft Ensemble” and thought we were building a neato bandito war machine. ::sigh:: Crafts? Nope. ---
**Author:** ![SpaceGhostofArrakis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@SpaceGhostofArrakis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceGhostofArrakis)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/12 "2001-08-16T18:07:57Z")
Same here, thought we were starting our own militia. If so, I’m pretty good with a map, and certified with an M-16. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/13 "2001-08-16T18:22:27Z")
I’m in the middle of embroidering a tablerunner for my mother and I’m about ten squares into an afghan for my sister. Lately, it’s been so gawdawful hot I don’t even want to think about picking either of them up, but luckily that seems to be changing. I recently aquired a backstrap loom, and I’m _dying_ to try some tablet weaving, but I have resolved to finish at least the tablerunner first. Meanwhile I’ve got my eye out for some premo cardboard to make tablets out of. I knew I was getting a little too hardcore, crafting-wise, when I realized that I’m pretty sure that if I knew how to spin, I could make enough cat-hair yarn to knit a pair of mittens. Hey, we brush a handful off her every day–why not do something useful with it? ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/14 "2001-08-16T18:31:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BunnyGirl \* > \*\*I sew, quilt, and embroider. Last winter, I made a box with my dad to hold all my essential oils. Pretty cool looking: gloss black exterior with brass hardward and a shiney dragon red interior. Sharp! 😃 \*\* :eek: You do realize how incredibly sinister that sounds, oh aspiring Ed Geines wanna-be. Did you use all of your dad, or just parts? ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/15 "2001-08-16T18:49:30Z")
I embroider with floss and/or silk ribbon, cross-stitch, knit, crochet, sew, and quilt. I can tie or untie some pretty mean knots. The skills were taught to me by my grandmother who did not consider them “crafts”. I don’t consider myself a “crafty” person. I rarely come up with my own designs but can follow directions or a pattern admirably just tweaking color or fabric selections to suit myself or the intended recipients tastes. I have started keeping pictures of my work before I give it away, and regret not having done that all along. ---
**Author:** ![Sengkelat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Sengkelat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sengkelat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/16 "2001-08-16T19:11:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by slortar \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by BunnyGirl \* > > \*\*I sew, quilt, and embroider. Last winter, I made a box with my dad to hold all my essential oils. \*\* > > :eek: You do realize how incredibly sinister that sounds, oh aspiring Ed Geines wanna-be. Did you use all of your dad, or just parts? \*\* No, no, you should have made a box to hold your essential _salts._ Haven’t you read _The Case of Charles Dexter Ward_? But good job making it out of your dad. Polished bone looks great in most homes. As for my craft hobbies, I occasionally make little critters out of Fimo. I made two Elder Things, one in a top hat and the other a veil, as cake toppers for my wedding. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/17 "2001-08-16T19:24:50Z")
Right now I’m not sure if this thread is mistitled or has been hijacked by a quilting bee. . . 😕 Tripler But quilting bees and militias - I see the connection! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/18 "2001-08-17T08:44:01Z")
All right, all right! I was having a little fun with the thread title. It was inspired by the “Ladies’ Sewing Circle and Terrorist Society” (mentioned on another thread, now I can’t find it) and the Turtle Mountain Naval Base Tactical Wind Ensemble, famous for its sensitive renditions of the work of that near-forgotten semi-genius, P.D.Q. Bach. If the mods want to change the thread title, **fine**. \ I’m jealous of those who knit. I’d like to learn, but everyone here is supposed to learn to knit in school. Seriously. Around sixth grade, everyone is supposed to knit themselves a pair of mittens in art class. (I have it on good authority that the truly hopeless are told to knit a potholder as a Christmas present for a parent, grandparent or other unsuspecting relative. If your hands work and you can’t knit a square potholder, apparently, there’s no hope for you.) As a result there aren’t any courses (that I’ve found at least) for an adult who has a vague notion that knitting involves needles and yarn and not too much else. Tried learning from a book, but I couldn’t get the hang of it. As for making things from your dad, perhaps when mine shuffles off his mortal coil, I’ll use the skin from his prize-winning beer belly to make a leather flask. I think he’d appreciate that 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/19 "2001-08-17T09:06:57Z")
Well, I’m kind of a weird gardener. I can make absolutely _anything_ flower. Polka dot plants, bonsai, grass, you name it and I’ll make it grow a flower. Professional plant people find this very strange… Of course, I now focus on growing food I can eat-- because otherwise it’s a great big waste, i figure. And yes, they still flower, even my radishes. As for other crafty stuff, I’m pretty good with a paintbrush as long as I’m painting things that are small. Little lead men (and elves, and dragons, you get the idea) come out smashing. I’ve done some nice work in pottery studios. My favourites are an incense holder shaped like a hand holding a torch, and a smurf head candle snuffer. And I would do more heavy metal knitting if I had the time. Yes, I make chainmail folks. Mrs.B likes to make beaded jewelry of various kinds. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Stewart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Dave\_Stewart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Stewart)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550/20 "2001-08-17T09:27:51Z")
I garden too. That is, when I used to have a garden. Strawberries and chillies (which anyone can grow), and staghorns. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-tactical-craft-ensemble/76550.md?page=2)