Amber's Red Hot Holiday Romper

I've been dreaming of making a holiday romper—something to wear to fancy gatherings, but ideally that can also get some regular wardrobe rotation time. I've had my eye on this brick-red silk noil since last holiday season, but, honestly, we couldn't keep it in stock and it kept slipping out the door before I could get my hands on it!

Pattern: Shelby Dress & Romper by True Bias (View D, Full-length Romper)
Fabric: 5 yards Silk Noil in Brick
Size Made: 8
Modifications: Lengthened leg 2-1/2", used 7 snaps instead of 5 buttons



When Shelby by True Bias arrived earlier this year, I didn't immediately realize there was a romper version! Once I saw it, I knew it had to be my red holiday romper.



The full length romper calls for 5 yards of 44" wide fabric, which seems like a heck of a lot. This year I was able to secure myself enough dreamy red silk, and it's a good thing I got five yards because I really didn't have any room to spare. I lengthened my Shelby 2-1/2 inches in the legs and I had to really work to get my pattern pieces to fit, since I didn't get extra yardage.

I decided I wanted a more minimal look on the front, so instead of buttons and buttonholes, I chose to hand-sew seven, size 3 snaps (1/2") for the front closure.



To give the snaps the cleanest look possible, I was careful to have very little stitching show on the front bodice. When sewing the front snaps, I made sure to catch only the inside facing when stitching the four sides of the snaps. For stability, I then tacked the facing to the front bodice, just at the center of the snap, by sewing a few stitches from front to back through the center hole of the snap. When sewing the back snaps, I sewed the four sides of each snap through both the bodice and facing, since it doesn't show. I really love the result of using hidden snaps!

This romper is magnificent. I feel super fancy, but I also feel like I'm in my pajamas in the very best way. I can do high kicks, sit cross legged on the floor, climb ladders. I can eat too much pecan pie and still breath. Basically I can take care of business while looking like a holiday dream.