Toddler Girls Peplum Top Tutorial

Today my best friend Janelle has sweetly sent me this tutorial to share with you! Check out this cute little peplum top tutorial for your cute little mini!

Supplies:

Child's good fitting shirt (for template)

½ Yard Knit stench fabric  (I used the leftover scraps from a maxi skirt)

Scissors

Thread

Sewing machine

Tutorial:

Step 1: Cutting out the shirt.

Use one of your little girl’s shirts as a guide to make the pattern.

Start out by folding your fabric on the selvedge edge and then fold your template shirt in half and match them both on the fold. Fold the back part of the neckline so it is even with the front, as a guide for cutting. Then cut around shirt about 1/2" wider for seam allowance, to make the front of your new shirt. (some of the photos came out blurry, sorry)

Note: When cutting the front and back shirt pieces, it's a good idea to make the armholes bigger on this type of sleeve otherwise they will be too narrow with no wiggle.

When you’re finished cutting out the front, then use the back part of the neckline as template for the back of the shirt. I used the front shirt piece as a pattern and then used the cut shirt piece as the template for the back with the addition of the back part of the neckline. Everything matches up better this way! Ok, now set those aside.

Step 2: Creating the ruffled peplum.

Now time to add the pretty peplum!

Depending on the size of shirt you’re making and how ruffled you want, determine the length and width of the peplum panel. Mine was about 4 1/2 inches and the length of the panel was 20 inches before ruffling.

To make the ruffles set your machine on the longest stitch setting, then sew down the side you want the top of the ruffle to be on (about 1/4 inch seam.) Make sure to leave the threads a little longer on each side for pulling. Pull the bottom threads in and start to work your ruffles in towards the center, then even them out.

Pin the ruffles to the shirt pieces (right sides facing toward each other). If you don't have a serger just use the zigzag stitch for stretch, and sew them together.

Step 3: Sew up sides and shoulders:

Pin and sew up the shoulder and sides of the shirt, using the zigzag stitch again for stretch.

Step 4: Finish the edges.

Next fold in and pin your neckline, sleeves and hemline, (I just folder mine over once, but you can fold over twice if you like). Sew.

When I finished making the top, it just needed a little something extra. I dressed it up with a little ruffle and then attached some buttons over the center of the ruffle. Get creative and add whatever embellishments you'd like to doll it up!

Thanks Janelle for sharing this adorable little top and the tutorial with us! I think I might have to try it for a shirt for myself!