How To Make A Peplum Top With Free Pattern

I have a cute new top to show you today! I’ve been in the mood for a fun new top and after shopping around, I still didn’t find what I wanted. So, I decided to make it! I’m going to show you How To Make A Peplum Top With Free Pattern! This is a super cute top and I love it! The sleeves are so unique and fun and the peplum design at the hem will give you a stand-out look. When my friend, Debbie, showed me this sewing pattern I knew that I would be making a few of these. This top fits a lot like a tunic and is flattering on many body types. I used some nice patterned woven fabric for my top and I think it turned out great. You can use the fabric that works best for you. I wanted my top to be light and flowy and it turned out great. The included free pattern makes putting this top together a breeze and helps you size this to the perfect fit! I love making my own clothing and I am totally spoiled by the number of items in my closet that fit so well.

Chic and trendy for the upcoming week should be your main goal. With its playful sleeves and floaty peplum, you will feel very confident at work or play in this cute peplum top. Gather up your supplies from the list below and let’s get started!

What You’ll Need:

• 1.5 Yards Of 60′ Wide Woven Fabric – Georgette, challis, rayon, lightweight cotton, gauze, gingham or any fabric with a bit of drape will go well with this pattern.
• Matching Thread
• 18” invisible zipper
• Free Peplum Top Sewing Pattern
• Invisible zipper foot (optional)
• Iron
• Pins
• Scissors 
• Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
• Measuring tape 
• Thread nippers
• Sewing machine
• Fabric marker

Size Chart:

Imperial (inches)	Small	Medium	Large
Chest	34	36	38
Waist	28	30	32
Hip	38	40	42

 This pattern is drafted for a height of 5’ 4”- 5” 5”. Wanting to sew this in a smaller size or a bigger size? Then check out our post on Pattern Grading. 

Printing Instructions

This peplum top pattern has layers so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print.

Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.

Trimming Pages

Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together. 

Pattern Assembly

After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment.  When done your pattern should look like this: 

Pattern Pieces Checklist

Once you have printed and assembled your pattern you will cut:

• Front Bodice   – Cut one on fold
• Back  Bodice   – Cut 2 Mirrored
• Skirt Cut 1 on fold
• Sleeves Cut 2 mirrored
• Front Facing c- Cut 1 on fold
• Back Facing – Cut 2 Mirrored

Seam Allowance

Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed.  

General Instructions

Where applicable, sew all knits with a stretch stitch such as a zigzag or a lightning stitch.  Always use a ballpoint needle when sewing knits. 

Finish all raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch. 

How To Make A Peplum Top With Free Pattern

The first step in this how to make a peplum top with free pattern sewing tutorial is to wash, dry, and iron your fabric. This process acts as a preshrink to that your stitches don’t get messed up the first time you wash your cute top. Once you have done that, use the included printable pattern to cut out all of your fabric pieces.

Next, transfer your darts from the pattern to the bodice. 

Place a notch mark at the end of the notch in the dart.

Fold the fabric at the dart right sides together. Align the notch marks and pin. Continue folding the dart along the marked lines and pin. 

Sew the dart from the hem leaving long threads. Tie the threads to secure the dart. 

Repeat for all the darts on the front and back bodice pieces. 

On the front bodice, with right sides together, pin the main fabric piece and the facing right sides together at the neckline and sew. 

Clip the curves in the neckline and turn the facing to the wrong side of the bodice. Repeat the same for the back facing and the back bodice pieces.

Now on the peplum top tutorial, we will put them together. Ensure the facing is folded to the wrong side for both the front and back bodice pieces. Pin the front and the back together aligning the shoulders.

Pin and sew them together using a 3/8” seam allowance.

With right sides together, pin the front and back bodice together at the side seams and sew. 

Now on this diy peplum top sewing tutorial, we willl work on the sleeves. Hem the sleeves by double folding 1/2” or use your serger and finish the raw edges. 

Finish the raw edges of the facing, and back bodice seam

With right sides together, pin the sleeve to the armhole, and sew.  Be sure that the narrower part of the sleeve is pinned at the underarm. 

You may need to fold small gathers at the shoulder sleeve to get the sleeve to fit. Sew the sleeve to the armhole. Repeat for the other sleeve. 

Now we will work on the bottom of our peplum top. This is the “skirt” portion of our top that is it’s defining feature. Divide this section into quarters.

Place the skirt and the bodice right sides together. Pin the first and last skirt quarter marks to the bodice side seams, and pin the center skirt mark between the front bodice darts. Make small pleats in the skirt and pin it to the bodice. Sew the skirt to the bodice. 

Next we will add the zipper to our top. With the back of the bodice right sides up, and your zip wrong side up. Pin the zipper to the left-hand side of the bodice ensuring the zipper stop is in line with the top of the bodice. 

Pin the zipper to the bodice aligning raw edges. Attach a regular zipper foot to your sewing machine. Sew the zipper to the bodice sewing as close as possible to the zipper teeth. 

With the zipper closed. Align the other side of the zipper and the bodice ensuring both sides of the bodice line up. Place one pin to secure.

Open the zipper and continue pinning the zipper to the bodice. 

Sew the zipper to the bodice sewing as close as possible to the zipper teeth.

Close the zipper and pin the rest of the skirt from where the zipper ends to the skirt hem.

Trim your zipper if it was longer than what you need and finish sewing the skirt piece.

Double fold the skirt hem by 1/2” and sew.

Trim off the zipper overhang at the top of the bodice or fold over to the wrong side and hand baste in place.

And that’s it! know you know how to make a peplum top with free pattern! This is a fun and trendy top you can make yourself in about an hour. This is one of my new favorite tops and I know it will be for you, too!

If you liked learning how to make a peplum top with free pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

More Sewing Patterns:

• How To Sew A Classic Tank Top With Free Pattern
• How To Make A Tunic Top With Free Tunic Top Sewing Pattern
• How To Make A Fabric Beverage Holder (Koozie)
• How To Sew A Crop Top With Free Pattern
• Flared Sleeve Top with Sewing Pattern