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.
