Skip to main content

Pretty Peplum Top Sew Along: My Finished Tops + Submit Your Finished Garment!!

If you've been following along, you may have seen that the fabrics I use on each tutorial are different. That's because I made four versions of the Pretty Peplum Top! All the fabrics I used are either sold out from our website or from my stash, sorry, we don't have them available for sale! When someone is doing a sew along, they have to practice the pattern until they understand it well enough to help other people. I learned a lot about this pattern and I have to say the fourth one was my best because I worked out all the issues in the first three!

The first top I made was from a ponte knit. When making this top, I cut out a size medium rather than a small. I have no idea why I did this because my high bust was a small. I guess I got scared! I ended up altering the pattern a lot and ended up with size small alterations. I used the un-darted bodice pattern piece for this top. I really wish I would have cut the darted piece because I have some folds around the underarms that could have been eliminated by using the dart front. I also took about an inch off the bottom of the bodice pieces to raise the waistline to a more flattering position. I cut out the scoop neckline and made 3/4 length sleeves. Ann, our of our contributing bloggers, had the same problem with her peplum top. See here.  



Here's a lovely photo of me attempting to show you the folds at the underarm/bustline. 




On the second try, I made tested out turning a peplum into a dress. I cut out the pattern in size small but used the un-darted bodice pattern piece again. I didn't use the darted front because I thought that by shortening the armhole that it would help the underarm folds. Once again, I had some folds, but I also had a lot of pulling around the bust and neckline. I used a scoop neckline again and 3/4" sleeves. 




On the third top, I made a size small still without the darted front again. I was hoping that by making it from a lighter weight fabric that they would show less. They did show less, but there is still a little bit of folding. I also shortened the armhole and waistline. I put a keyhole on the back of the top and used the jewel neckline for the front. I also made 3/4" sleeves.






And the last one I made was a size small WITH A DARTED FRONT, cap sleeves and elongated the waistline. I finally decided to use the dart and it was GREAT! I'm telling you, if you were having the same problems I was and had the 3"  difference in the high bust/regular bust measurements. CUT THE DARTED FRONT! 

I'm not sure what the difference was with the waistlines, but I took it back to the original pattern length and it looked better. I'm thinking that the fabric weight has something to do with it, but I also think that the darted front allowed the waist to sit on my body better. I used the jewel neckline and just so happen to have a coordinating solid that matched one of the colors in this knit fabric. I wore it with a belt to accentuate my waist too. 





Now it is time to share your finished peplum tops with me! Remember, when we started, I mentioned there would be a random drawing at the end of the sew along! Now's your chance to enter!! 

Send me your name and at least one photo of your finished peplum top. Also tell me what alterations you made to the original pattern. I think by sharing this information with everyone will allow is to understand the pattern even better! All entries need to be emailed to me (fabricmartblog@gmail.com) by Thursday, March 5! Any late entries will not be accepted. One winner will be randomly be selected on March 6. Winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Fabric Mart AND a $30 gift certificate for Pamela's Patterns!

I can't wait to see everyone's peplum tops!

Comments

  1. I LOVE the prints you chose for your tops!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are great. And I know that you mention being frustrated with the non-darted fronts, but you can wear them as you wear them well! But yep, that last one looks the best. What a great fit.

    I did the same thing with the softly pleated dress, I probably should have cut the extra-small but I got nervous, so I cut the small. I still ended up loving the fit, but maybe I will try the extra-small when I make it from a more stretchy knit.

    I can't wait to see other versions from the people who sewed along!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This has been so much fun!f I had to take an iinch off of mine on the sides so it wouldn't be a tent. I want to make another in a different color fabric. Just wondering if I should make the smaller size or just adjust the seam allowance to the changes I made.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad you've enjoyed it! When you cut out the top did you cut based off of your high bust measurements? If so, then you should be fine in just taking it in at the side seams. You can also mark your pattern with how much you took off the sides then you don't have to keep trying to remember how much you took off. I hope this helps!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks. Yes, I used my high bust. I kept track so I'll know what to do next time. I bought the twin set pattern too is it going to be a similar cut?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Although I have not made the versatile twin set before, I would say that it is a similar cut because she tries to be consistent in her pattern line.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made by a Fabricista: Milo + Citrine

Hello sewing friends! It’s Andrea - @happy.things.here on IG and today I’m on the blog to share some sew inspo on one of my favorite kinds of garments to make – cardigans! I absolutely love making them and wearing them year-round, whether it’s an extra layer for around my house in the winter, as my outermost layer in Spring and Fall, or paired with a dress on a cooler summer evening. I love love love cardigans! And there are so many great cardigan patterns out there – chances are that each of your favorite pattern companies offers multiple cardigan patterns. Button-less cardigans are great beginner patterns, and a handmade cardigan is a lovely personalized gift since it’s more forgiving for fit and you don’t have to know someone’s exact measurements to make one. And you can make them in all sorts of knit fabrics too.  Today I chose two cardigan patterns to share with you that I think bring a little something extra to the table. They are the Seamwork Milo and the Made by Rae Citrine.

Week 4: Jeansmaking- What They Made

This is it, the final round! And we certainly did not go easy on our three remaining contestants this time. This round they had to make their own pair of well fitting jeans. I think they all did an absolutely outstanding job! Take a look what these ladies accomplished & be sure to vote for your favorite! (Link at bottom of post.) And, don't forget to show us your me-made jeans on Facebook or Instagram. Details at the bottom of this post. Danesha from  Classyfied Life So first I must say that this entire challenge has been just that...a challenge! Two weeks ago there was hurricane Irma and I was blessed enough to not lose power and then I went out into the aftermath to capture some photos of my submission. Then two weeks ago I had a big trip planned so I had to do EVERYTHING  in two days . Then the BIGGEST challenge of all...THIS week! I got the challenge and I was super excited to have an extra few days and then before I could even get started I ended up in the eme

Made By A Fabricista: Taking My Time

At the start of the new year I like to reflect on how I will go about my makes for the year.  I noticed this year a lot of people created a Make Nine chart of the 9 main looks they want to make for the year.  For me I had taken a hiatus from sewing towards the end of last year and was fighting to get my sewjo at the beginning of the year.  Making this blog forced me to sit down in front of my machine and these pieces are the first full sewing projects to kick off my year. Starting off I did not know exactly what it was I wanted to sew but I knew I loved working with denim so I got denim and sateen with the initial intent to make a full look with the pieces together.  Once I received the fabric I realized the hand was a little bit different than what I expected and changed my plans. The denim set I am absolutely in love with and was inspired by a look I saw online and decided to recreate.  My favorite details are the zip removable pockets on the pants.  For this look I used McCall’s M81