Tag Archives: peplum

Peplumsy

Black and white V8815

Black and white V8815
top: Vogue 8815 // shorts: American Eagle 

I have three favorite things about this pattern.

1) It legit takes about twenty minutes to put together.
2) It works great with heavier knits with less stretch (I’ve used ponte both times) even though it was drafted for wovens (you just have to take in the seams a bit or go down a size. Let’s guess which route Ms Lazypants over here took.)
3) Every time I wear one to sewing club everyone’s all “Is that 8815?” which is just fun.

And that’s not even getting into the fact that throwing this on with a pair of skinny jeans makes for a cute outfit that even looks like you tried.

 

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Because peplum

Burdastyle open back peplum

Burdastyle open back peplum

Burdastyle open back peplum

Burdastyle open back peplumtop: self-made, pattern here // shorts: AE // earrings: c/o Michal Golan

Burdastyle generously provided a copy of the pattern for this post, but all opinions, thoughts, and ramblings are my own.

I’m so so excited about how this top came out but there was quite a process to get here. I started off with a gorgeous purple and white stripey fabric that was going to be an epic backless maxi dress. Except then I remembered that something like that is pretty far out of my wardrobe comfort zone and would rarely get worn so I decided to go with something a little shorter, possibly with a bow in the back. And then I was doing some spring cleaning and came across this lovely pale blue linen blend and remembered when I pinned this top and decided that I was going to go with a flouncy hi-low peplum top instead of adding yet another dress to my ridiculous collection.

Seriously. SO glad I did. I wear tops and bottoms way more often than dresses these days and I can already envision wearing this with skinny jeans (which I would have worn in this post except that I really really sucked at packing for this trip and completely forgot to bring pants) and heels. Maybe I’ll even try a pencil skirt!

Sidenote: please ignore the shameful zipper. I ran out of invisible ones and had to make do. That one’s being replaced as soon as I’m reunited with my stash. Although i do actually really like the coral constrast.

Did I mention that I’m in California for the week? I don’t think I did. I also finally finished my Masters program! I’m basically a real adult now. (hah!)

Fit-wise this was a bit of an adventure. I think the linen stretched out a bit during the sewing process because while it seemed like it was going to fit great, as soon as I sewed the top to the lining, there was quite a bit of side-boob gape-age. Not in a good way. I added an extra dart there to close that up. The back pieces also didn’t quite fit the shape of my back quite right so I ended up having to cut zipper edge of the fabric at a bit of an angle to compensate. In the future I’ll definitely be doing this instead.

I definitely want to make more of these. I love how the peplum turned out but I think I want something even more exaggeratedly high-low. I left off the sleeve ruffle but it’d be interesting to add some kind of sheer sleeve to it. Maybe a flutter sleeve? Maybe a criss-cross across the back? Maybe shoulder bows a la Laney??

And in closing, I’ve now typed the word “peplum” so many times my brain has turned it into “pee-plum.”

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Olive

Olive

Olive

Olive

Olivetop: self-made, pattern here // pants: Paige // boots: Clarks

I think I have a condition where I can’t say no to peplum tops. I think it’s probably why I currently have three unfinished peplum tops in my sewing queue.

Anyway, meet Olive, the latest creation of Amity of Lolita Patterns. She sent me an email a few weeks ago asking if I’d like to test Olive and upon seeing the line drawing I imploded a little bit. It was the pleats, I think.

Olive comes with two views, a ruffly one with a sheer overlay ( View A) and a more basic one (VIew B). You can find line drawings and more information here.

I chose View B in a size 2 and it turned out ALMOST perfect. It was so quick and simple to put together and the ladies fit without an FBA! (One day I will learn to that one..) The only issue I had was my stupidly long torso, as usual. Even as I was cutting the fabric I was thinking to myself, “You should probably add an inch or two to this..” But alas, I didn’t listen and now the damn thing is about two inches shorter than I’d like it to be.

But anyway, now I know for the next one (which I will be posting after the blog tour!). You can check out the other ladies participating in the blog tour this week here (I’ll keep updating the links as they get posted!):

Three Dresses
Handmade by Carolyn
Velosewer
Peneloping
Quirky Pretty Cute
Made With Hugs and Kisses

And as an extra special bonus Amity’s got a 15% discount with the code sewing15indie for Sewing Indie Month until May 19th, plus she’s now offering two-pack pattern discounts. So head over to her shop to snag an Olive of your own (in print or pdf!).

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Peplos

Red peplum top

Red peplum topRed peplum top

Red peplum top

My sister and I often joke about how living together would save us a ton of money because we own so much of the same stuff. Despite having entirely different styles at least a third of our wardrobes are identical and, off the top of my head, we also have the same slow cooker, curling wand, gym bag, yogurt maker, etc. We think it’s ok because we live literally across the country from each other. She’s in San Francisco while I’m out here in Boston.

So when it came time to talk Christmas presents and she made a few sewn garment requests (she got an Archer and one of these peplum tops), I couldn’t resist making one for me too.

The pattern is Vogue 8815 (recommended by the Crafty Foxes), which I absolutely love. It’s meant for wovens but I just took it in a little at the seams and it worked out perfectly. I used a heavy knit with only a tiny bit of stretch so no zipper needed. Can’t argue with a top that takes twenty minutes to put together.

I have all sorts of plans for other versions of this pattern: one with a collar, one with some kind of a lace overlay, one with beading on the peplum and cap-sleeves, one with an exposed zipper, maybe one with a deep V slashed in the front, one with long sleeves.

My only issue with peplum tops is that I always find myself defaulting to pairing them with jeans. I’ve tried the skirt thing and it just felt like I was trying too hard and not quite pulling it off. Plus apparently you’re only supposed to wear them with more fitted skirts, which I feel weird wearing.

Anyone else have this issue?

 

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