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peplum top: made by me (fabric c/o online fabric store) — buy an almost identical one here for just over $30!
similar leather jacket here and here
gap jeans (similar)
similar bagPHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA WALK
For some reason I cannot get enough of gingham this season. It’s such a classic print and goes with absolutely everything — I can’t stay away! (In fact, I just bought a pair of gingham Christmas pajamas). I’ve been wanting to make a drop waisted peplum top for a while now, so when Online Fabric Store sent me this gorgeous gingham cotton, I knew just what to do with it.
This is a super easy top that you can make in an afternoon, so if you’re looking for a good weekend project (or even a fun Christmas gift for your sister or friend), definitely try this tutorial. And pick up some fabric at Online Fabric Store this weekend while they’re having a huge Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal — find all the details right here!I also posted a couple of gift guides this week here and here, and there are a ton of good sales going on this weekend at my favorite stores, so make sure you’re taking advantage of them while you’re doing your holiday shopping!

J.Crew Factory: 50% OFF everything and free shipping on orders over $50.00

Old Navy: up to 50% OFF store wide & 50% OFF in stores, get an extra 15% OFF with code GRAVY


GAP: 50% off everything TODAY ONLINE ONLY with code BLKFRIDAY

ASOS: 30% OFF everything with code TGIBF
Sole Society: 30% OFF and free shipping through Dec. 1.

Nordstrom: up to 40% OFF select products.

J.Crew: 30% OFF with code HOLIDAY and additional 40% off sale + free shipping, no minimum.

Click through to find the full step by step instructions for the peplum top!


Materials:
– 1 yard fabric (any lightweight woven fabric or heavier weight knit works great — mine is this one)
matching thread
zipper or button (optional — I didn’t add any)
1. First cut your pattern pieces. You’ll need a BODICE FRONT (cut on the folded edge), 2 BODICE BACK pieces (if you don’t want to put a zipper or keyhole in the back, cut the BODICE BACK along the folded edge so it is just once piece like the BODICE FRONT), NECKLINE LINING (cut 2), 2 SLEEVES (cut along the folded edge), and 2 rectangular pieces for the PEPLUM (measure your hips where the peplum will hit and double that measurement for the length of one PEPLUM piece. And mine was about 7″ tall, but you can make it as long or short as you’d like).


2. Sew darts into your BODICE FRONT piece.

3. Sew the BODICE FRONT and two BODICE BACK pieces together at the shoulder seams (with right sides together).

4. Now it’s time to attach the sleeves. Line up the top of the sleeve with the bodice shoulder seam (as shown) with right sides together. Pin in place.

5. Continue pinning the sleeve to the bodice, and then sew along the arm hole with a straight stitch. Repeat for the second sleeve.

6. With right sides together, sew the sides of the bodice up with a straight stitch. If you want to insert a keyhole or zipper in the back, do that now. Otherwise, move to the next step.

7. Sew the two NECKLINE LINING pieces together, with right sides together, to make a circle. Then, with right sides together, pin the NECKLINE LINING to the neckline of the BODICE. Stretch as you go so it fits evenly around the neckline. Sew around the neckline with a straight stitch, stretching as you sew so you don’t get any tucks. Flip the NECKLINE LINING inside and press your seams flat, then sew around the entire neckline again with a wide straight stitch to secure the NECKLINE LINING in place.
8. Take your two PEPLUM pieces and, with right sides together, sew the short ends together, as shown.
9. Now sew around the edge of the entire loop of fabric with a basting stitch.
10. Pull the basting stitch strings to gather the peplum. Gather it until it’s roughly the same size as the bottom of your BODICE.
11. With right sides together, pin the PEPLUM to the BODICE, and sew around it with a straight stitch.
12. Hem your sleeves and your peplum to your desired length, and you’re done!
This post is brought to you by Online Fabric Store

DIY FRIDAY: GINGHAM DROP WAIST PEPLUM TOP

peplum top: made by me (fabric c/o online fabric store) — buy an almost identical one here for just over $30!
similar leather jacket here and here
gap jeans (similar)
similar bagPHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA WALK
For some reason I cannot get enough of gingham this season. It’s such a classic print and goes with absolutely everything — I can’t stay away! (In fact, I just bought a pair of gingham Christmas pajamas). I’ve been wanting to make a drop waisted peplum top for a while now, so when Online Fabric Store sent me this gorgeous gingham cotton, I knew just what to do with it.
This is a super easy top that you can make in an afternoon, so if you’re looking for a good weekend project (or even a fun Christmas gift for your sister or friend), definitely try this tutorial. And pick up some fabric at Online Fabric Store this weekend while they’re having a huge Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal — find all the details right here!I also posted a couple of gift guides this week here and here, and there are a ton of good sales going on this weekend at my favorite stores, so make sure you’re taking advantage of them while you’re doing your holiday shopping!

J.Crew Factory: 50% OFF everything and free shipping on orders over $50.00

Old Navy: up to 50% OFF store wide & 50% OFF in stores, get an extra 15% OFF with code GRAVY


GAP: 50% off everything TODAY ONLINE ONLY with code BLKFRIDAY

ASOS: 30% OFF everything with code TGIBF
Sole Society: 30% OFF and free shipping through Dec. 1.

Nordstrom: up to 40% OFF select products.

J.Crew: 30% OFF with code HOLIDAY and additional 40% off sale + free shipping, no minimum.

Click through to find the full step by step instructions for the peplum top!


Materials:
– 1 yard fabric (any lightweight woven fabric or heavier weight knit works great — mine is this one)
matching thread
zipper or button (optional — I didn’t add any)
1. First cut your pattern pieces. You’ll need a BODICE FRONT (cut on the folded edge), 2 BODICE BACK pieces (if you don’t want to put a zipper or keyhole in the back, cut the BODICE BACK along the folded edge so it is just once piece like the BODICE FRONT), NECKLINE LINING (cut 2), 2 SLEEVES (cut along the folded edge), and 2 rectangular pieces for the PEPLUM (measure your hips where the peplum will hit and double that measurement for the length of one PEPLUM piece. And mine was about 7″ tall, but you can make it as long or short as you’d like).


2. Sew darts into your BODICE FRONT piece.

3. Sew the BODICE FRONT and two BODICE BACK pieces together at the shoulder seams (with right sides together).

4. Now it’s time to attach the sleeves. Line up the top of the sleeve with the bodice shoulder seam (as shown) with right sides together. Pin in place.

5. Continue pinning the sleeve to the bodice, and then sew along the arm hole with a straight stitch. Repeat for the second sleeve.

6. With right sides together, sew the sides of the bodice up with a straight stitch. If you want to insert a keyhole or zipper in the back, do that now. Otherwise, move to the next step.

7. Sew the two NECKLINE LINING pieces together, with right sides together, to make a circle. Then, with right sides together, pin the NECKLINE LINING to the neckline of the BODICE. Stretch as you go so it fits evenly around the neckline. Sew around the neckline with a straight stitch, stretching as you sew so you don’t get any tucks. Flip the NECKLINE LINING inside and press your seams flat, then sew around the entire neckline again with a wide straight stitch to secure the NECKLINE LINING in place.
8. Take your two PEPLUM pieces and, with right sides together, sew the short ends together, as shown.
9. Now sew around the edge of the entire loop of fabric with a basting stitch.
10. Pull the basting stitch strings to gather the peplum. Gather it until it’s roughly the same size as the bottom of your BODICE.
11. With right sides together, pin the PEPLUM to the BODICE, and sew around it with a straight stitch.
12. Hem your sleeves and your peplum to your desired length, and you’re done!
This post is brought to you by Online Fabric Store
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16 Comments

  1. Natali says:

    Fantastic top and sunnies! You look beautiful in this casual outfit!

    http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com

  2. Laura Jones says:

    such a pretty top, i love it! and i’m both jealous and in awe of how you always seem to find the time to sew all these lovely items! x

  3. 204park says:

    I have such outfit envy right now – we are officially in a winter wonderland in edmonton so gone are the cute jackets and shoes and out come the parkas and boots! haha I love this top, so impressed you made it, makes me want to dust off my sewing machine! XO, D

  4. Megan Fox says:

    I love gingham!!! It’s my favorite. I totally have my eye on those PJ’s from J Crew Factory. I think I might buy the blue and the red.

  5. i’m a sucker for peplum!! i’m not a super skilled seamstress, but i might just try this!!

    xoxo, kiely
    http://www.pocketofblossoms.com

    • Merrick says:

      I use my clothing as patterns — lay your clothes on pattern paper, trace around them, and then use those pattern pieces to cut your fabric. Hope that helps!

  6. Irene says:

    classic feminine! absolutely love the result!

    Irene
    http://www.thedailylace.com

  7. Bogi Vrg says:

    Love printed peplum tops and one of my favourite is gingham print!

  8. Laura says:

    How were you able to get it to fit but still be large enough to get it on? Did you add an extra inch or two on the sides as compared to the shirt you used as a pattern?

    • Merrick says:

      I used a boxy shirt as a pattern, but if you are using a regular shirt you should definitely add a few inches on the side (or add a zipper or keyhole, like I suggested as an option in the tutorial). Hope that helps!

  9. Meghan Jenson says:

    Love this. It reminds me of your black gingham skirt.

  10. chris says:

    Beautiful top. Where can I find the PDF pattern? Thanks

  11. MisSy farris says:

    Where on the blog are the Printable pattern pieces for the peplum blouse?

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