Darling Ranges peplum top!

Can you tell I’m excited about this make?! In summer I got really obsessed with the idea of trying to make a peplum top with the Darling Ranges pattern. I was shockingly easy and I am beyond in love with how it turned out!

The one problem with this top is that I don’t feel like there are a lot of bottoms I can wear it with. It feels weird with a skirt, and too voluminous for wide leg pants… so slim leg or skinny jeans and my Harper shorts are really the go. It’s not the end of the world – i feel like i’m being whiney – i was just hoping to wear it every single day with everything i own hehehe. Here i’m wearing it with a pair of slim leg Ash jeans that I made during testing and don’t think I have blogged before? I really like them cuffed like this! The fabric is from MRecht and is called “comfort stretch” and I think that is a pretty great description of how it feels to wear!

Ok so on to the peplum details – this is shockingly simple! I just made the Darling Ranges bodice and used bias tape as sleeve facing using the same method as for the neckline. For the peplum itself, i just used the skirt pattern pieces shortened them. This chambray frayed so nicely that i decided to leave the hem raw. I honestly can’t remember where I bought this fabric – but I think it may have been a Spotlight purchase? I only added buttons to the bodice as I felt like it allowed the peplum to hang more freely. Also I only had three of these gorgeous Arrow Mountain buttons lefts ha! I haven’t had any serious stomach exposures as I usually wear highwaisted/ or medium rise things, so a little bit of skin is the most that ever shows and I’m pretty comfortable with that.

I mean that’s it! Can you believe how simple that is? I am still a little shocked at how quick it sewed up and I have absolutely loved wearing it.

How to sew a Darling Ranges Peplum top

If you’d like to try making yourself a peplum Darling Ranges like this, you can use these steps & links to relevant tutorials:

Step 1: Construct the bodice as per the pattern.

Step 2: Cut a peplum using the skirt pattern pieces. The width will remain the same but the finished length will be 26cm/10 1/4 inches – so you will need to shorten the front and back skirt pattern pieces to be 30cm / 11 3/4 inches long. This includes the regular waistline seam allowance and 1″ of hem allowance. Do not include pockets. Attach the peplum to the bodice.

Step 3: Sew the neckline and placket as per the pattern instructions.

Step 4: Finish the armsyces with bias tape.

Step 5: Add closures to your top. I added only the top three buttons which are on the bodice itself and omitted the buttons on the peplum.

Step 6: Hem your peplum! The pattern calls for a wide hem, but for the purposes of this hack i have included a hem allowance of 1″ (2.5cm), which means turning the fabric in 1/2″ (1.2cm) twice then topstitching. Or if your fabric frays nicely like mine, leave it raw!

I hope that helps a bit with creating your own Darling Ranges peplum top! if you give this a go let me know – I am seriously loving this pattern hack!!

photography by Bronnie Joel