Hot Cocoa v3.mom

I can't believe it has been so long since the Dog Lady wrap up already! The weeks have been absolutely flying by at lightning speed now that the nice weather is here.

I have been getting quite a bit sewing done, but as I've mentioned, it has been moving very slowly since I'm working on two very big projects. Hopefully I'll get around to showing you a few in progress shots soon because otherwise I am going to disappear for a few months again. And that's no fun, now is it?

I did, however, manage to put aside some time this week to complete another Hot Cocoa for my mom for Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Happy Mother's Day to my mother! Word to your mother.

I bought some ponte knit off of fabric.com, in charcoal and in this funky Aztec print. For my past two versions, I kept the sleeves, body, collar, and cuffs all the same, but for this one, I used the two fabric to break up the print and give it more interest. I really like how it turned out!

To be honest, the quality of the fabric isn't super awesome (the more I sew with cotton, the less I like polyesters), it is a little thinner than I was thinking it would be, or at least the Aztec one is, but the print is nice. It should make a nice spring/fall transition piece.

I also added 1.75" to the width to the front and back bodice pieces, 4.5" to the length of the original bodice pieces (update: which I think may be a tad bit too much now that I've given her the top and had her try it on), 1" to the sleeve width, and I sort of winged it with the collar piece. I also added a little piece of ribbon to the collar to make a tag. I think it adds a nice little touch. I hope she likes it!

Did you make anything for your mom this Mother's Day?

{You mothers}

Cake.

Holy cow it's March! We are 1/6th of the way through the calendar year. Crazy! I feel like this year only just started. Regardless, I feel like I've been such an inconsistent blogger this past year that it wasn't really worth doing a year in review/goals for 2015 post like everyone else. Now that we are this far into the year, I have been thinking more about the rest of 2015. I am in a classroom that I feel much better prepared for, I am no longer taking any online courses, my computer is broken (no Internet to waste the evening away on), and basketball season is now sadly over, which means that this year I will have a lot more time to spend sewing. 

(At first I wore this plain, now I love how it looks with a collared shirt)

This has led to me doing much more thinking about what it is that I actually want to sew. I love pretty dresses and I have a ton of fabric just itching to be made into pretty dresses. And to be honest, I actually do get a lot of wear out of the dresses both at work, and out and about. Even in the winter I will throw on some tights and head out in a flirty frosting skirt. BUT. When it feels like minus thirty with the windchill, all I want is cake. I want all the Brontes, and Lindens, and Ensis Tees, and Archers (LANA!!!!!!!!!), and, of course, Hot Cocoas. I want all the lovely graphic, and yes, even plain fuzzy fabrics, and I want all the ribbing too.

(Surprisingly not the most ridiculous photo taken.)

This sweater was an attempt to ease some of that neediness screaming for all the warmth. Let's call it my Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows. Warm and soothing for the soul, with a little bit of sugary sweetness for kicks.

(Without button up...looks like something is missing)

I made this, from cutting it out to finishing it, all on one lazy Sunday, which for me, is a big deal. And it wasn't even a rushed deal. I was doing dishes and laundry and taking breaks like nobody's business!

I wanted a replacement for my original Hot Cocoa, which I literally wear the heck out of. Like I've said, it has grease splatter on the front and I don't care, I still wear that sucker. Nothing new to report, I made the same change of lengthening it by about 3 inches. I've already worn the heck out of this one too. It must be love.

("Please, just put me down.")

On a very vaguely related note, if you are part of the Crazy Dog Lady Sewing Challenge: less than two weeks to go! Weeeeee! Don't forget we have prizes!

OOH! And let's get back into this: best picture award goes to..........

("Hey, can you get in there so I can test the lighting?"..."Sure!")

Please do tell: what are you into right now, frosting, or cake?

{Completely unrelated but hilarious...Rolling Sarcophagi}

In which I show you my most favourite shirt EVER.

I'd like to introduce you to my favourite sweater, the Hot Cocoa from Dixie DIY. This top is my homeboy. It's my BFF. My One True Love. (In terms of my closet!)

I first saw it on Marie at A Stitching Odyssey and fell in love. I had never downloaded a pattern before, AND I had never tried a knit. I felt like this would change all that.

Someone's gotta keep an eye on the dog, amirite?

I made this back in January I think? Somehow, with being on an LTO (teacher talk for a job) while working a night job I found time to do this, and then I got the other LTO so I didn't have time to take pictures (though I had LOTS of time to wear this).

K, imma gonna stop ya right here and just say, I look cranky in most of the following pictures. I'm not cranky, it was way too cold to wear these shorts but for some reason I wanted to wear these shorts for the shoot. So I didn't smile much. I don't know. Just deal with it haha.

I literally wear this multiple times a week. I can wear it to supply teach or I can wear it just puttering around the house. It is PERFECT. There I said it. It is super comfy, and was wicked easy to sew up. In terms of construction, I followed Marie and added three extra inches. I didn't think my principal would like the belly-baring look.

For being my first attempt at knits, I think it turned out pretty damn good. And that stripe matching where the raglan sleeve meets the bodice--totally accidental!! SHUT. UP. (Just don't look at my left side seam please.)

Right side seam, again totally acciden---I mean I MEANT to do that. ;)

I have gotten paint, grease, you name it on this bad boy but she's a survivor. It's like the sweater knows that it is my soul mate. Awwww.

I got this ponte knit at my local fabric store. I think it was about $21 a metre? It was a really long time ago, I can't remember. Totally worth it though.

I just picked up a black and white stripe ponte knit and so I might make me another one of these now that the fall weather is here. Alternately, I might use up my leftover Nettie fabric. I definitely have enough to whip one up.

If you haven't made one of these sweet babies yet, I highly recommend. Came together super quick once everything was cut out. If you've never made a knit, this is definitely one to jump right in with.

And, as per usual (I feel like this is becoming a "thing"), best shot of the day:

I think the best part is how smug I look about accidentally blinking hahaha.

Have you tried the Hot Cocoa yet?

{It will make your day more than my shirt makes my day.}