I never thought I would say I hate egyptian cotton.

but I hate egyptian cotton. I am so frustrated.
last night I started a craft project to die for, and it has been non-stop struggling so far.
problem #1: I bought this really cheap (quality-wise) rotary cutting tool (fiskars 45 mm comfort grip rotary cutter $21.99) and it absolutely did not cut through the tshirt/sheets material I was using for my project-so I had to cut everything with scissors-by hand!
problem #2: I used egyptian cotton sheets. they got balled up into a frayed, tangled mess in the washer and were literally destroyed. bad, bad idea. this is why you don't deviate from instructions!
problem #3: used black rit dye thinking if I used a little it would make the fabric grey. not so much. they're purple.
sigh.
so now I am off to my local joann's-because I am frustrated with michael's-to pick up some actual GREY fabric dye, pinking shears so I salvage some of the egyptian cotton to make into decorative pillow cases, and a legit rotary cutting tool that bill probably cost an arm and a leg.

note to those crafting this rug:
-do not use egyptian cotton sheets ($12 down the drain...)
-read dye box/bottle instructions. twice.
-goodwill has 50% clothing every monday from 12-closing (I spent $0.25 per shirt!)

so far this is what I have spent
$11.98 : egyptian cotton fitted and top sheet (ruined)
$1.50 : six plain white t-shirts (still using)
$5.56 : two bottles of black rit dye (used one, returning other)
$21.99 : rotary cutting tool (it sucks-returning)
$2.99 : latch handle tool (still in the game)
$8.99 : latch hook rug mat (still using)

wish me luck & good luck to anyone else doing this.