Hot Patterns Metropolitan Chimera Vest and Jacket

I have enjoyed sewing Hot Patterns lately.  After watching Trudy's video about the Metropolitan Chimera Vest and Jacket, I couldn't resist.  She always gets me with her videos.  There are many options with the pattern.

As you can see, you make a jacket/ cardigan, vest, short sleeves, long sleeves, belt, patch pockets, faux pockets, etc.  The instructions are fairly good.  There is a back facing piece that I didn't notice until I was finished with my first project, the vest.  I don't think it's really necessary.  Fabric recommendations are mid weight knit, such as ponte.  In the video, Trudy shows a vest made out of denim, but the back is a printed knit.

Having a fabulous scuba knit left over from a skirt I made, I decided to use it as the back of a vest.  The knit is from Gorgeous Fabrics.  I had never sewn with scuba knit before, but it won't be the last.  The Front of the vest is a tencel denim I purchased form Louise Cutting years ago.  I had made one seam pants with it, and had scraps left over.  I made faux pockets, and elastic on the center back to cinch in the waist.  The results:

Next was the cardigan.  I had a beautiful double knit from The Sewing Workshop.  I had been drooling over it on the website for a few days, when miraculously, it went on sale.  (The gods were with me that day.). It has a beautiful black, bronze, and grey print on one side, and charcoal grey on the other.

This version was long sleeves with patch pockets.  I felt the sizing ran large, which is often the case with Hot Patterns, so I took it in about 1/2 inch on each side.  The dress under the cardigan is drafted from my sloper from Sure Fit Designs.  The knit is an incredible quality from Emma One Sock Fabrics.  I had enough leftover for a t-shirt.  I matched the fabric with my Pantone swatches, and it worked great.  

I wore this outfit to a meeting yesterday and received lots of compliments.  This illustrates the many reasons I love to sew:  working with gorgeous fabrics, ability to choose from several design elements, and having well fitting clothes.