25 Oct From Grim to Grinning
What are your plans for All Hallows Eve?
After wearing a ratty black cloak for 600 years, I was in the Mood for a makeover. How do you like it?
Since I’m on call 24/7 , I need a dress perfect for morning, noon or night.
Late one evening I walked through the walls of Mood Fabrics and found this gorgeous Italian wool double-knit. It was quite the bargain requiring only 1 ½ yards of fabric. After so many positive reviews on the Pattern Review website I put down the scythe, bought this Vogue pattern and made the dress in one day!
VOGUE 8593
The back darts allowed me to contour the dress to my shape, but I learned when Vogue describes a garment as close-fitting, sewers should beware! Thank goodness my fabric has two-way stretch. 
I took a cue from Cissie (now on the RTW Fasters page) and used a catch-stitch for the hem after serging the edge. The seams were also serged giving the inside of my new dress a tidy appearance.
I’m loving my new look so much, I would make this pattern in every color if my work wasn’t so dark. 🙂 
Wait……… what?!!!!!
What do you mean all of these years you thought I was a man?
I hope you won’t make that mistake again.
Now……….what ARE your plans on All Hallows Eve? Care to join me?
Carola
Posted at 07:26h, 25 OctoberLove the dress! It’s such a flattering pattern and I’m tempted to buy the pattern for myself too. I’m only just learning to love dresses on myself coz I’m a real jeans or skirt girl… maybe it’s the fact that RTW dresses don’t fit my 6ft height normally, but that’s all going to change now that I’m fasting and can make my own stuff to fit!! 🙂
Oh, and sorry, we don’t do much with Halloween here in Australia so I can’t comment on what we’ll be doing. Enjoy!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:54h, 25 OctoberThis pattern would look great on you! 🙂
angela
Posted at 07:35h, 25 OctoberCute dress! I might have to go see if my local Joann’s store still has some of the wool db knit left and make one of those in black for myself. Would make a great little black dress for winter. Thanks for the post.
We have violin and cello lessons on halloween and will do a little trick or treating after. Then off to bed because they have school the next day 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:58h, 25 OctoberI’ve spent many a Halloween just as you will this year. Have fun!
Rachel Busby
Posted at 07:47h, 25 OctoberTotally a cute dress!! I love reading your blog, it totally inspires me.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:00h, 25 OctoberThank you, Rachel! You’ve got a great website 🙂
Carolyn Boland
Posted at 08:22h, 25 OctoberWonderful , creative ideas! Love your blog!
Sent from my iPhone
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:00h, 25 OctoberMany thanks, Carolyn! Tis the season to be creative 🙂
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 08:29h, 25 OctoberLove your new look, Sarah. Gorgeous dress — and you don’t have to worry about hair and makeup!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:02h, 25 OctoberThank you, Cissie! Wouldn’t you know I was having a “good hair day” when these photos were shot 😉
"Samantha"
Posted at 08:49h, 25 OctoberLove your dress and the clever blog entry; however, I avoid wool except for outerwear and my beloved Smartwool socks. It sounds as if you didn’t have to line this dress. Not the least bit itchy? Honestly — don’t even lust after cashmere if it will be next to my skin!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:03h, 25 OctoberHi Samantha! The dress is unlined and doesn’t itch at all, though I’ve worn lots of wools that do. Should you decide to try wool again you might want to consider double-knit wool jersey. Thanks for writing 🙂
Meg
Posted at 08:50h, 25 OctoberMrs. Gunn … love the dress! It’ll be perfect for the Terrier Ball or the game on Saturday. With the mask, of course!! 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:05h, 25 OctoberThank you, Meg! What a pity you won’t be there this year 🙁
Junee
Posted at 09:12h, 25 OctoberLove this post – the dress, the humor. I admit I never thought of GR as a lady, either.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:09h, 25 OctoberMany thanks, Junee! Poor GR dressed in a ragged cloak all these years…….. 🙂
Lorraine Lahav
Posted at 09:17h, 25 OctoberBeautiful dress Sarah, fits you like a glove, the neckline is interesting, except the mask is very scary, I`d jump out of my skin if you suddenly paid me a surprise visit.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:10h, 25 OctoberI’d jump out of my skin too! Many thanks for writing 🙂
Miriam
Posted at 09:54h, 25 OctoberYou definitely will be the best dressed ghoul on the block! We always decorate, more inside than out and hand out little bags filled with trinkets and candy. I love Halloween, it’s my favorite holiday.
Love your dress it’s beautiful.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:11h, 25 OctoberIt’s one of my favorite holidays too, Miriam! I beg trick or treaters love coming to your house! Thanks for writing 🙂
Carolyn
Posted at 09:54h, 25 OctoberSarah – I love this dress on you! I’ve made a version of it and the neckline has such great detail with a small amount of effort. You definitely should make another!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:12h, 25 OctoberI saw your dress on PR – beautiful – and it inspired me to give the pattern a try 🙂 !!
Shams
Posted at 10:58h, 25 OctoberA cute dress Sarah, and I love your creative and simple Halloween costume. 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:13h, 25 OctoberMany thanks, Shams! Anything for a treat 🙂
Teri
Posted at 11:15h, 25 OctoberThat dress is darling Ms. Grimm. I love the neckline. We will be at a trunk-or-treat in our church parking lot, handing out candy:)
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:14h, 25 OctoberThank you, Teri! Ms. Grimm knows where to come trick or treating 🙂
Katie G.
Posted at 11:42h, 25 OctoberThe dress looks great!!! I’m loving the new look!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:14h, 25 OctoberThank you, Katie G 🙂 It’s far better than the nasty cloak I’ve been wearing!
Karen
Posted at 11:46h, 25 OctoberWhat a great dress – and a great post – I am laughing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:16h, 25 OctoberThe GR is laughing too!
oh2bejoy
Posted at 11:53h, 25 OctoberVery pretty! I love the front neckline pleats. I have this pattern and have been thinking of making it….Now I will definitely make it!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:16h, 25 OctoberMany thanks! It’s an easy make after you get the neckline pleated 🙂
Clio
Posted at 14:55h, 25 OctoberLOL Well, I guess it’s true that every woman needs an LBD in her wardrobe! Great dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:17h, 25 OctoberIndeed! Many thanks for writing 🙂
Pauline Droy
Posted at 18:00h, 25 Octobergreat looking dress Sarah, seems strange seeing in such a somber colour, but then again in your line of work I guess you need to dress appropriately 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:34h, 25 OctoberHa, Ha, Ha!! Back to brights soon!
Ruth
Posted at 20:24h, 25 OctoberIf only death was as well dressed!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:32h, 25 OctoberI can’t top that one, Ruth!
Lucinda
Posted at 21:02h, 25 OctoberI’m loving the dress and the costume idea! I think your review has now put that Vogue pattern on my “to sew” list.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:35h, 25 OctoberIt’s a good one! Many thanks for writing 🙂
Joyce Love
Posted at 23:48h, 25 OctoberBwahahahaha! Love your post & your new dress! So you are the Grim Reapette?!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:13h, 26 OctoberYou said it best – the Grim Reapette!!!!! Thank you! 🙂
Heather
Posted at 23:58h, 25 OctoberI love this dress, and I really love using it for your costume. How efficient!
We are going to an outdoor Halloween party this Saturday. Temps will be around 35, so I’m trying to find a way to use my ski pants and jacket as a foundation for a costume. They are mostly brown, so I may fashion some ears and wings and go as a bat.
Halloween will be spent trick or treating with my 8 and 2 year old. It will likely be cold then as well, but it’s easier to stay warm when you are running from house to house for a boon of candy!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:15h, 26 OctoberThank you, Heather! You and your little daughters will be cute no matter what the temperature or costume! Have fun! 🙂
carolinascallin
Posted at 00:49h, 26 OctoberSo cute! I’ve been looking at that pattern – it turned out very nicely!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:16h, 26 OctoberMany thanks! It’s a great pattern. Are you NC or SC? 🙂
Andrea fabricepiphanies.blogspot.com
Posted at 03:07h, 26 OctoberYour dress is just the sort of dress I like for winter. We are going into summer in New Zealand but I will be sure to put it on my wish list for next winter.
Halloween isn’t celebrated here in New Zealand. The retailers try to push it but I guess the seasons are all wrong down under for such a tradition. Trick or treating looses something when it is daylight until 9pm.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:20h, 26 OctoberThank you, Andrea! I’ve never thought about Halloween in the Southern Hemisphere before but I can see how it’s not the same during summer weather. 🙂
Dagmar
Posted at 13:46h, 26 OctoberHi Sarah!
Great dress and I can’t wait to see it in colours. I have the pattern too and I was wondering where you found it to be closer fitting than expected as I am also planning to make it. Thanks!
P.S. Decorating my house and long driveway amounts to a 2 day project…making costumes with my kids (locked out NHL Hockey player and a lady bug) takes me another few days and perfecting my ugly witch make-up for door opening duties as trick or treaters arrive is another bit of time…thank God my costume is already waiting in the wings!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:41h, 29 OctoberYou’re going to have a blast on Halloween, Dagmar! I found this pattern tighter than I expected through the hips, abs and arms. Fortunately I made a muslin and made adjustments for the dress. Look forward to seeing your version 🙂
Martha
Posted at 23:13h, 26 Octobergorgeous dress. who knew it had such comic possibilities?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:43h, 29 OctoberHi Martha and thanks for your comment! Possibilities galore with this one for sure 🙂
Rose
Posted at 09:40h, 28 OctoberThe dress looks terrific. I have some red wool knit jersey that would be perfect for this dress. I also have the pattern – just haven’t gotten to it yet. I’ll be pulling it out of the drawer soon. On All Hallows Eve, I’ll be dressed in my witch hat and chasing the neighborhood children. After seeing your mask, I’ll have to work on my mine. (I like to be appropriately dressed!)
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:45h, 29 OctoberHave fun on Halloween, Rose. I’ve just been told my mask is too scary for children….but I seriously doubt anyone will be scared if I’m wearing the dress too! I believe the dress would sew beautifully in red wool knit – good luck!
Amy
Posted at 10:17h, 29 OctoberWhat a post! Love the holiday spirit, and the neckline and fit of the dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:50h, 30 OctoberMany thanks!, Amy – there’s no holiday like Halloween! 🙂
ZoSews
Posted at 05:55h, 30 OctoberLol. That mask is really scary!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:49h, 30 OctoberJust as long as the dress isn’t scary 🙂 🙂 🙂
ZoSews
Posted at 03:11h, 31 OctoberNope, dress is definitely not scary 🙂