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Teen Refuses To Mend Her Dad’s Shirt After He Called Her Interest In Sewing A ‘Useless Hobby’

Volha Flaxeco/Unsplash

The chance to say I told you so can be so so satisfying. We often don’t do things specifically for that reason, but we certainly don’t hate the moment if it comes along.

One Redditor found herself in that exact spot, and she posted about it on the “Am I the A**hole (AITA)” subReddit.

The Original Poster (OP), known as remus_r3 on the site, led with a simple title:

“AITA for not fixing my dad’s shirt”

It all began when OP took up a new hobby.

“I (16-year-old female) picked up sewing as a hobby in late 2021, I started because getting dressmakers to hem my clothing was becoming expensive…”

“…(I also wanted to add pockets into any dresses I owned because we need pockets).”

Not everyone was a fan. 

“My Dad (45-year-old male) said I’d lose interest in a week and move onto another hobby and then was a useless hobby anyway and he wouldn’t help me fund it…”

“…(He never did, I bought sewing needles, pins, thread and materials with money from my job and allowance that I saved up)”

“When he said this I told him ‘you’ll regret that when you need something fixing’ “

After that, OP just followed her nose. 

“Since I started sewing I’ve hemmed nearly all my clothes to be the right length, have fixed rips, tears and popped off buttons on mine and my friends clothing as well as adding pockets and even making some dresses and skirts myself”

“Yesterday my Dad asked if I could mend a tear in one of his work shirts, I nearly agreed willing to set aside the other projects I had but then stopped and told him”

OP immediately recalled the recent past.

“I thought you said it was useless, go to a dressmaker or something”

“He said a dressmaker was too expensive and I said that’s exactly why I learnt to sew and maybe he should just do that”

“He told me I was being petty and refuses to talk to me I offered to put it with the other things I need to do but he told me that was still being petty and I should just fix cause it’s a little tear”

“I’d need to sew half the arm and side of the shirt because he caught it on something and it ripped”

“Am I being too petty for not mending the shirt?”

Anonymous strangers weighed in by declaring:

  • NTA – Not The A**hole
  • YTA – You’re The A**hole
  • ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
  • NAH – No A**holes Here

Most Redditors took OP’s side. 

“NTA. Parents are humans, and as such, they make mistakes. Most try to learn from them. Yours doesn’t want to. At minimum he should apologize to you. He’s upset because you said his own words back to him.”

“I would make that my hill, too, and fully understand why you did. As you should. You are neither petty nor wrong. Carry on. And congrats on learning how to sew!!” — KaoJin-Wo

“So he didn’t support you learning to sew, then when he needs your help he demanded you use it to benefit him, admitted he didn’t want to pay someone to do it and then acted like a child until you generously offered to help him on your time for no reward? Nope, definitely NTA.” — dmbxox

“Do you hand sew? If you do, that’s not a little job ☠️ lmao” 

“You tell him he can either walk back what he said and help you fund your hobby (a bit, not much) or take it to the dressmakers.”

“NTA obvs.” — Reasonable_Series156

“I like how some people call something ‘useless’, or ‘impractical’, and then, when they found out it’s good or need it and don’t get it, they get offended and mad. It’s like karma.”

“NTA, of course.” — Jozkings

Others  if they did slightly agree with her concerns. 

“NTA. While it is a little petty, he’s the one who insulted your hobby and now that it’s convenient he wants you to help him. He can go to a dressmaker or he can wait in line for you to do his when you finally have time” — Pluto-verse

“Haha. You’re petty but it’s fair- it’s kinda justifiable AH territory.”

“Your dad is the AH here for being so dismissive of an incredibly useful skill you’ve learned and seem to be very good at.”

“NTA and don’t fold! Don’t sew his shirt.” — mickydonaldsy

“NTA. You are being petty, but really, your father kinda gave you a reason to be petty. He should apologize, and wait in line behind all the other stuff that needs to be sown.” — Zazzog

“NTA lmao good for you! It is a little petty but it’s pretty funny, he played stupid games and won a stupid prize, maybe next time he’ll be a good parent and supports his kids interest.”

“If you wanna patch things up, sit him down and tell him about how his original jab hurt you and you’d be happy to fix it (if you still want to lol) if he would apologize and be patient. Good luck queen!” — AdventurousGas9173

And some just laid right into OP’s dad. 

“NTA what jackass says learning to sew is a useless hobby?” — citizensfund82

“Nope, don’t do it. Knitters talk about people who are ‘knit worthy.’ Those who value the things we make and respect the work that went into it. Your father is NOT. NTA.” — Neenknits

“Your dad was an a****** to you about your hobby that you are still enjoying and now he doesn’t get to just demand that you do things for him for free.”

“Tell him he can go to a dressmaker or seamstress or he can pay you exactly what they would charge.” — milliebarnes

Perhaps if OP’s dad takes a more supportive approach to her hobby, he can ask for her help every once in awhile.

Written by Eric Spring

Eric Spring lives in New York City. He has poor vision and cooks a good egg. Most of his money is spent on live music and produce. He usually wears plain, solid color sweatshirts without hoods because he assumes loud patterns make people expect something big. Typically, he'll bypass a handshake and go straight for the hug.