Haute Couture Fashion Show - Rhonda's Hanging on a Cliff Dressing

It’s so good to be blogging and reviewing patterns again. I hope I never have go this long without it again. Yesterday was the Haute Couture Club Annual Fashion Show. This year, I was honored to be the fashion show chair. The past month has been one of the busiest times of my life, and I’m glad its over. I need some down time.

For a half of a second I contemplated taking a summer course, but that would be bananas; I mean crazy as h*ll. I need a slow relaxing summer full of sewing, movies, get-togethers, just plain ole summertime fun. My daughter said to me, “You need to read something other than application manuals and text books." So on my read list is “Lincoln the Unknown”, recommended by Rhonda.


Okay, let me get back on topic. Today I am reviewing the first of my most recent sewing projects. It’s called the Hanging on a Cliff Dress designed by Rhonda Buss. I like the fact that Rhonda names her designs. My sister, Latricia, modeled this golden frock during the “Precious Metals and Gemstones” segment of the show.  

Pattern Description:This is a Rhonda Buss original design that is featured on her blog for Fabulous Free Pattern Friday. It consists of five rectangles. The dress has a long sleeve on one side and a very deep drape on the other side that acts as a sleeve with a small cuff. The skirt is straight and can be worn above or at the knee.

 
Pattern Sizing: The sizing is based on the length of your torso plus three inches, hip, bicep, and fist measurements. That sounds odd, but it's an accurate description. Rhonda basis her pattern drafts on simple shapes and draping techniques.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, except my drape was on the opposite side.

 

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes they were. It is best to take it one step at a time.


 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: After I followed the basic instructions for drafting the pattern, sewing it together was very easy. Once I had it sewn together, I had my sister try it on. It looked like a bag. We laughed about it. Then we quickly moved into the second phase of making the dress: examination. First, I examined the neckline and the shoulder area. Both looked good. Next step – I examined the fit of the sleeve and cuff. Both needed to be taken in a little bit. Now on to the drape, Rhonda removed quite a bit of it. I think I cut off about 9 or so inches as well. I didn’t want to pluck out the stitching of the cuff. So I just made a new one, smaller than the original cuff. We didn’t like to point on the drape so I rounded off. Moving to the skirt of the dress, based on the instructions it sits three inches below the waist. I moved it up on the waist. I added darts of both sides of it for shaping. I also removed fabric along the sides of the bodice to create more shaping. See illustration here. I did not make a facing for the neck. I just turned the seam allowance to the wrong side and stitched it down. Finally, we chose a length that my sister liked.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the design of the dress. I thought it would be perfect for a golden dress for the Precious Metals segment of the show.

 

 Fabric Used:  I selected an audacious fabric to tie in with the theme of the segment, precious metal. It looks like liquid gold. The fabric is a two way stretch knit for Supreme Novelty Fabrics on Fulton in Chicago. They really have some nice fabrics. You should check them out.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes and yes. I’m going to make it again for my sister in a less "gaudy" fabric. This dress was strictly for the runway. Well, maybe a New Year’s Eve party. The next one will be for everyday life, brunch or date with your significant other.

Conclusion:Loved making this dress. Seeing it come to life was fun and exciting. Drafting my own pattern isn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I can really appreciate seeing how simple rectangles and squares can be used to form interesting and unique silhouettes. I will sew more Rhonda Buss designs in the future.