Tropical Shelby

ooobop shelby romper in tropical print
What bliss, when you have precious little time to play with, but you have a sewing pattern that you know fits straight out of the packet! I’m back again with another True Bias Shelby Romper suit. And I love it just as much as the star version… don’t make me choose!

The fabric is a beautiful quality viscose from SewSewSew. Once again the sewing community came to my aid when I asked if anyone knew where I could get my hands on some tropical print. And Amy from Almond Rock so kindly pointed me in exactly the right direction

Tropical print version of True Bias Shelby Romper

I feel all ‘holiday’ in this one, ditching the Docs for a pair of espadrilles. Believe it or not, I’ve never owned a pair owing to my fat feet and inability to squeeze my toots into them. But Asos have a wide-fitting shoe section and I thought I’d give them a shot. Mostly very happy, especially with the fit. I just have to learn to walk in them and keep my heels from lifting out. Any tips?

Ooobop Shelby Romper

Despite having a mahoosive collection of salvaged and inherited buttons, I still couldn’t muster up five that were just right, so I bought from a seller on Ebay Number-Sixty – who have a huge selection of buttons at very reasonable prices. You can’t really see from the photo but they are olive green with subtle swirls and following the last episode of The Great British Sewing Bee, I was totally inspired by one of the contestants, Nicole,  to sew them on with a pop of contrasting orange thread.

close up of buttons sewn on with orange thread

There was one little tip I forgot to share last time which is so helpful. The instructions advise to stitch in the ditch on top of the shoulder seams and centre back seam to secure the facing piece down. I can’t believe up until now I have been painstakingly handstitching the facing to the seams. This advice will be carried through to all my projects where applicable. It’s so much more effective. And quicker!

I really do love this pattern – the ease at which it sews up right through to finished romper suit. It truly is so much fun to wear. So much so that I can’t wait for my next order of fabric to arrive so I can make my next one. Haha… I make no apologies. It really is that good!

ooobop Shelby Romper

Lovely photos of course by Daniel Selway

 

10 Replies to “Tropical Shelby”

  1. I love this! Thank you so much for posting about the shoes. I have wide feet and given up on the thoughts of a shoe like this!! I seen a pair in my future. 🙂

    1. Thank you Shirley. It’s really difficult isn’t it. I’m sure manufacturers assume if you have wide feet you have absolutely no interest in style either!!

  2. Love the dress, I too have a wide foot, and have ordered my shoes through mail/online for years. I am in the US so my sources won’t help you. But I am sure you can find a UK source for pads you can buy to put on the inside bottom front that prevents the foot slipping forward so the heel doesn’t pull out.

    1. Ah I didn’t think of it that way round. I was thinking more heel grippers but that may well be the answer! Thank you x

    1. Thanks Lynne. I get so excited when I find a wide fit shoe that isn’t boring! I have very little in the way of arches to my feet so I need that width!

  3. SO fun and summery!
    There are little sticky inserts that you can put on the inside of the shoe. In the US they’re called heel grippers. Might help

    1. Thanks Gayle. Yes I must try some of them. These shoes have an odd piece of elastic on the inside of the heel which sits away from the heel fabric if you know what I mean. I’ve just been flip flopping around in them in the meantime, which kind of feels normal now!

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