Monday, November 10, 2008

With the inner fortitude of a marshmallow

So, I didn't so much fall off the wagon on the weekend , It was more like a flying leap into the great selvedge abyss.

You see, I have rules. I have structure. I have plans and goals and "important-things-that-need-to-be-sewn" ......and then I have selvedges.


Quietly they beckon me from the sewing room , like some dirty little secret. I think I can resist. I tell myself firmly to stay on task. Prioritise. Finish those dollies that people are expecting for Christmas. Work on your secret Santa swap.........I am strong, but still they call.

Softly at first they call me, and I just peek into the baby selvedge box to check the stash. I think about the new project and try to plan some time to get back to it.

I open the box of baby selvedges. This is a BAD MOVE. The sewing machine is already threaded with white cotton , I could just sew a few lines couldn't I? I mean I can stop whenever I want to. I am the grown-up in this...er......relationship. I am IN CONTROL.

I do a deal with myself. (and you all know what I'm talking about here, you know you do)I'll just sew two sections of the new project and then I'll get back to those "important- things- that -need- to -be -sewn"


Two sections quickly (or not so quickly) became five and then six. By now I know I have to finish all eight , I mean it would be silly to stop when I am this close. I may as well just get it all out of my system at once.

Yes I know binge sewing is irresponsible, I need to try to be more moderate, maybe even have a few selvedge-free days each week.........I know these things, I've read the health warnings. I just can't seem to do it.


Up early Sunday morning and sections seven and eight are completed before breakfast. Lets not use the word frenzied here, lets just say I was, by this point, enthusiastic.
All pieced, do I bask in the glow of achievement and return, sated to the other projects?
No way !
It sings to me , loudly every time I leave the sewing room. It waits for me now safe in the knowledge that the seed of the finished project in all its wonderfulness has been planted in my brain.
and then.....the light palpitations , the flushed cheeks and racing heart, the stupid grin , when you sew it all together to realise that it will work - it fits ! It makes sense......oh seriously, there is no going back from this point -we all know that
Small tweaks get tweaked, the "important-things-to-be-sewn" aren't really that important are they?
So close, binding is needed and bought in record time - no time to browse or chat, no I don't need a bag, just pass me the binding lovey and no-one will get hurt.
Home, tweaking, pinning..........not rushing, the end is in sight and the chorus of angels is warming up..................so very very close, ten minutes from the finish line, I just need another pair of hands..........
anyone??????

54 comments:

  1. Be still my heart! I have been waiting for this.

    It blurry well better be sunny when I come home so I can out it to good use!

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  2. Btw Locket - HA! In your face!! Just b/c you have a new dog and everything - I still am the first three commenters today!

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  3. I can't wait to see what the finished project is-I just love what you do with selvedge edges!And if I could lend you a hand I surely would!
    Anxiously waiting...
    ~Tam

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  4. Oh Jod ... you have it baaaaaad!

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  5. Can't wait to see what you are up to now!!!

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  6. So Bad that I think we'll have to arrange an intervention to save you from yourself !!!!
    P.S. But we really love what you create with all thiose baby selvedges!!

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  7. I think I see one of mine! Yay!

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  8. Oh good golly me. She's a binge sewer just like the rest of us. And yes, Gillian the enabler will be posting more selvedges this week.
    tee hee, nothing like helping someone in their addiction hey, especially when they keep you on the edge of your seat like this!

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  9. dear god, tell me you didn't make an umbrella!

    show, show, SHOW!

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  10. still need another pair of hands? on my way over!!!

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  11. She's a binge sewer just like the rest of us.-Andy Guo

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  12. oh Jodie, you are such a tease! When will we see it??? oh, and i spotted some of my lovely selvedge in there too,yay!!

    Selina.

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  13. so WHERE IS IT??????????? I gotta SEE IT !!!!!!

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  14. Can't wait to see the finished product although maybe you should get back to those dolls!

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  15. If I could get my extra pair of hands over to your place quickly to help - I would!!
    Can't wait to see your latest creation.

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  16. Can't wait to see what the newest project might be!!!!! :)

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  17. Jodster..
    you pay my airfare, and my hands are yours!
    methinks you need to attend 'selvedges anonymous'.. I think I seen one or two of mine there.. from the HOLY 30's stash.. so good to see they are being put to use..


    Lissa
    who is feeling poorly at the moment and just sneezed over the puter and also woke the bastard one.. (aka Cosmo)

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  18. IT looks so lovely, how could you resist? I mean I couldn't. I don't have that kind of self control. I often find myself saying "just one more seam, just one more block, just one more . . ." I got a "C" in self control as a kid, now you know why. I'm getting so many compliments on my scarf!

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  19. You are a naughty little selvedge sewer aren't you! I can't wait to see it. You have me in suspenders!! Hee Hee!

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  20. Jodie,
    Perhaps a 12 step programme is in need here. Good on you, have fun, enjoy, when the moment takes you, well you have to accept and take the moment.

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  21. haha! great post! Can't wait to see the finished project :)

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  22. Aha! Nobody expects the Selvedge Inquisition! Our chief weapons are... actually, that's quite a nice bit of selvedge isn't it?... what am I saying?!!

    Put the selvedge down ma'am. Put it down and step awaay from the sewing machine... You know there are dolls waiting... not to mention Jude and Eloise want their breakfast...!!

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  23. Hello... This is the selvedge porn helpline......we have machines threaded and ready on standby!

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  24. I think I know a good rehab if you need some help with your "habit". I am sure you will be in good company with the rest of us sewing loons. Can't WAIT to see what you are up to.

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  25. This post made me laugh on a wet and windy Monday morning in the UK. It's got to be a parasol - to go with that fabulous full-skirted dress I saw (your willing model can pretend to be Mary Poppins in the next photoshoot!)

    I only found your blog yesterday - I hope you have told Selvedge magazine all about your amazing work?

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  26. she fallen off the wagon again.............lol..........

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  27. oh and get working on the SSCS........only 15 more sleeps til postage............lol..........

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  28. Brilliantly written! And you've described me and my quilting to a T!

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  29. "You just call, out my name, and you know I'll always be there . . .

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  30. Oh that Trashy! So immature! (not like me at all!!!)

    Very exciting selvedging going on there!

    Lucy x

    P.S. I also have the inner fortitude of a marshmallow - and unfortunately the figure to match!

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  31. you sound like me as i'm making up one of my "girls"...
    as i tell the kids....yes popcorn is perfectly healthly, and nutella sandwiches for dinner, why not...
    knock yourselves out...

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  32. Can't wait to see what you're making. I know the feeling...you know there is a difference between NEED and WANT. I NEED to finish projects but I WANT to do something else! Happy Endings.

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  33. Oh my gosh. You're killing us here! I'm finally catching up to all the fabulousness that is you -- Holy Cow! I. Can't. Wait. to see what it is that you've given us a peek of -- oh, the excitement! And I'm terribly impressed that you can concentrate on anything with that adorable new little Jude -- what a cute post you've done with little kitty!

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  34. you CRACK me up. mostly because i know exactly what you mean. i get like that with sewing. i get like that with reading (just one more page of the book, just one more blog . . . )oh, i know.

    and i can't wait to see what this one is!

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  35. i'm so glad i'm not alone...

    quit being a tease and show us!

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  36. The hilarious thing about this is that I found myself reading faster and faster .....

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  37. Would a selvedge addict be called a selvaholic? A selvejolic? You could start Selvejolics Anonymous - except we all know who you are, so that's no good.

    We all know those addictive feelings though ... I read just one more blog on my Google Reader, then another. I do a deal - I'll stop at 10 past the hour. Whoops, still here at half past.

    Whatever it is you're making, I know it's going to be good.

    x

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  38. i'm here for you...thread in one hand, plane ticket in the other.

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  39. You are a very funny girl. Can't wait to see the result.

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  40. Oh No! I have just been bitten by the bug! I spent a few hours last weekend going through my stash, collecting selvedge. I made a little zipper pouch last night---my first selvedge project. Now I'm hooked---no end in sight.

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  41. Jodi - you make my day! I love reading your blog!

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  42. Ha! I found myself reading faster and faster, too! Then I had to read it aloud to Larry. Is it a Christmas tree skirt? I can't wait to see, you amazing creative gal.

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  43. What are you up to now? An umbrella? I'm curious ('cause i just love the things you make)

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  44. Beware the siren call of the selvedge....

    Of course, being someone with steely self control I have absolutely no idea what you are on about ;-)

    Can't wait to see what your lastest selvedge hit results in :-)

    xxx

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  45. I wanna see! I wanna see! Please, please PLEASEEEEEEEE =)

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  46. I know! A giant teacup, of course.

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  47. oh MY... too, too funny! i love it! can't wait to see.....

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  48. Palpatations! You gave me palpatations!!! Bloody hell and then you don't show it!
    Anyhow, I thought that ball of fluff with the green pom-pom had cured you as we'd not heard the 's' word for a few posts. (Obvioulsy not LOL)

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  49. January you start the year off fine, February you're my little Valentine....Yea, yea I love my little calendar girl, every day every day of the year......

    One of my favorite Neal Sedaka songs!

    Tea Cup Lady (Sandy)

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  50. OK. That's it. I now have an official bag in my sewing room for selvedges. There won't be many, but they're all yours!

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  51. I have a friend who does tailoring. The other day she confided that she was on the verge of actually starting a quilt, which she had been previously avoiding doing. Why?

    "I think quiltmaking is only slightly less addictive than heroin."

    I think she's right.

    This is a marvelous post, and I loved (and identified) with every word!

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Hellloooooo !!!!