For Day 11 of the Charm Halloween Extravaganza, we’re bringing a little extra sizzle  to your Halloween plans! Meet the Elvira Gown–– featuring a plunging neckline and a vampy slitted skirt, it’s the perfect sultry twist on the Morticia Gown. With this project, I experimented with using a separator wire to keep the neckline from splaying and it worked like a charm! 

This one comes together in a flash, so it’s just perfect as a last minute Halloween costume (you slackers!). With so many spins on the Morticia, we’ll be keeping you very busy–– get your ghoul gang together and make one of each!

Supplies:

• Black neoprene 

• Separator wire

• Small amount of lightweight black jersey for neckline binding

• Bryant Gown pattern (Pieces 1, 2, and 3)

• Morticia Gown expansion sleeve piece

Tips and tricks:

• Lengthen the main Bryant Gown pieces (1, 2, and 3) so they are floor length, tapering to a narrowed hem. I used the hip length adjustment line as a starting point and added 27" to mine.

• Leave a slit on the left princess seam (as high as you dare!) and trim away the seam allowances on the slit.

• I cut my back dress piece on the fold (eliminating the back seam allowance).

• I narrowed the Morticia sleeve to a slim bell shape and smoothed out the batwing shape at the hem. I created tatters in the sleeve hem by cutting with shears before sewing the underarm seams.

• Leave all hem and sleeve edges raw.

• Remove the seam allowances from the dress front and back neckline. Using a separator wire, trace the shape of the wire onto the dress neckline. I made mine plunge almost to the waist in true Elvira style! Trim away the neckline, following your tracing.

• Finish the neckline by binding; I used a lightweight black jersey (as the neoprene would get too bulky). Cut a 1-inch wide strip of jersey that is as long as the neckline. Stitch the strip to the neckline using a ¼-inch seam allowance. Flip the binding to the inside of the neckline and secure it by stitching in the ditch, leaving an opening to insert your separator wire.

• Insert your separator wire into the opening and close the opening. You can shape your separator wire to make the neckline more open--if you dare!

• To get Elvira’s cleavage, try boob tape or a frontless bra! You can also use contouring and highlighting to accentuate your assets. Use double sided tape to hold the neckline in place and prevent wardrobe malfunctions!