Confessions of a Repeat Offender

It isn't often that I reveal the fact I have a rap sheet. That would be Report of Arrests and Prosecutions to you. (And you must imagine hearing that in a Morgan Freeman/Shawshank Redemption-ish sounding voice-over.)

But alas, sadly, it's true. I'm guilty of...you guessed it...

using the same pattern over and over again.

Remember last summer? It was B4789, Maggy London's crossed bodice dress for knits? I made it maybe 6 times and another 2 times for a friend. Here I am shamelessly flaunting number 5:

I can't help it. I like doing it. It makes me feel good. It makes me happy. It can become mindless, blissful sewing with very little brainpower needed. It's not hurting anyone so how can it be wrong?

And now, my friends, I must clear my conscience and tell everyone that the addiction has escalated. I am now repeating fabric as well as patterns. Remember this B4789?

I simply love this fabric. I wanted more of it....needed more of it.  I couldn't stop myself. I didn't go to High Fashion today hoping  for a chance meeting...I went there on a mission, with no shame or fear of reprisal. It's been almost a year since we first met, for heavens sake...what were the chances anyone would recognize me much less peg me for double dipping? Adrenaline coursed through my veins at the mere possibility of seeing it again. Simply stated, it was the euphoria of addiction.

I made my first pass along the knit aisle. These are all bolts I know...I'm embarrassed to say most of them I've touched intimately. No sign of my friend but I did make eye contact with another new fish and we both had that unspoken knowing...that love at first sight physical attraction that can't be denied. "Love"...ha! For the briefest of moments I felt cheap...almost tawdry but, unable to help myself, I yanked the heavy roll out of its resting place and lugged it around with me, clutching it tightly under my arm, so that no one else could flirt with it, or worse, defile it with the gleaming shears. In an offhandedly nonchalant manner, I made several more unsuccessful passes along the knits  before sheepishly taking my newest conquest to the cutting tables. The feeling of power was heady.

In afterglow, overcome by guilt at how easily I was taken in by the cunning advances of a total stranger, I felt obligated to take one last look for my heartthrob. And then something caught my eye... an empty cardboard spine whose limp posture had caused its knit cocoon to shimmy down and become hidden beneath and between the girth of the competition. Out of the bowels of darkness and despondency I grabbed the cardboard and pulled its wrapping up into the light...and there it was...

my fabric...my love:

Of course, I'll be using V1124 again for both of my fabrics. It's my "Summer Pattern 2012":

So... I have now aired my dirty laundry regarding my criminal past. And in a spirit of contrition I repent and have sought help for my addiction. They say if you admit to God and another person the exact nature of your wrongs then you have taken the first step. Does it matter that the other person is my dressform, Maggie the Cat? I think not.