Made by Me: Patterned Peplum top

I've been making a real effort to make some separates recently, rather than more dresses, and today I have another top to show you.


I bought this fabric recently at the Knitting and Stitching Show, from the Stitch booth.  It's a medium weight jersey - 100% polyester I think - but it's very light and has lovely drape to it. 

I knew I wanted a top of this shape - I have a plain black woven one in my wardrobe that I love - but I couldn't find a suitable pattern.   However I had recently downloaded the Republique du Chiffon Ludivine dress pattern, and decided to use the top of that for the basis of my peplum top.

To do this I cut the pattern pieces to finish at the waist, then used a 10 inch deep strip of fabric to make the peplum.  This was gathered onto the bottom of the bodice. 



I added some thin elastic to the seam to help it keep it's shape.   Unfortunately I didn't stretch the elastic quite enough when I sewed it on, so the finished seam is a little bit wavy.    The print hides the worst of it, but I decided to add belt loops  so I could wear a belt to cover the seam. 

I added a loop at each of the princess seams and both side seams.  They're positioned just over the waist seam. 


The pattern itself when together really easily, which is good, because the only instructions are in French.  Luckily I didn't need them at all.   The pattern pieces matched up perfectly, and I'd definitely use this pattern again, as the dress it's intended to be.  It's designed for knits but I think with a little adjustment (and a zip) it could work for a woven fabric too. 



I'm really happy with my new top.  Now I just need the lovely warm weather we had the other weekend to return so I can wear it without freezing to death!

17 comments

  1. Such a beautiful top! I love the length and shape of the sleeves as well as your clever idea to add a peplum. Very stylish result. I never tried the patterns of Republique du chiffon because they draft for a length of 1.65 m, but maybe those patterns are worth some adjustment work after all!

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    1. Thank you Marianne. I'm really happy with the length of the sleeves, I think they finish things off well.

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  2. I really like this! I don't often like peplum tops, but I think it's the little bit longer length on yours that makes it work.

    Also - how did you get the Ludivine pattern to print the right way?!?! I tried everything I could think of, and could never get the test square to come out the size it was supposed to! I really wanted to make that dress, but decided it wasn't worth all that frustration because I could cobble something together from a pattern I already have that would be very similar.

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    1. Thanks Gail. I don't like peplums when they're too short - or too full.

      I got the pattern to print right first time - I just made sure I checked the "print actual size" box on my printer preferences. How annoying that you can't get it to work as it should!

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  3. This is so flattering and the print is pretty!!

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  4. That is a really pretty top! I love the fabric.

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  5. That's really pretty Sam. I used the top of a Sew Chic dress for a peplum top last year and it was worth making.
    Your version is great.

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    1. Thank you. It feels really Spring-like, I can't wait for the weather to get a bit warmer so I can wear it without freezing!

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  6. This top looks so right on you Sam -pattern, colour, style, everything. As does your new haircut. I must follow your example and take some time out to do the Wardrobe Architect course.

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    1. Thank you Sarah Liz. It's really good to get someone else's feedback that this is right for me. I highly recommend the Wardrobe Architect series, it has really helped me focus on what I actually like to wear, rather than what I just like the look of.

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  7. lovely! the fabric is great and i really like it with the belt!

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    1. Thank you. I should have photographed it without the belt for comparison, but it definitely looks better with one.

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  8. That's lovely (fabric and style) and such a great wardrobe piece, I can see you'll get lots of wear put of it, really pretty :)

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    1. Thanks Jacq, yes I think this one will be worn a fair bit.

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  9. I love it! So cute. The fabric is beautiful!

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Thank you so much for your comment, every one is read and appreciated. It means a lot to me that you take the time to read and comment on my posts.