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Darling Ranges peplum top!

Darling Ranges sewing pattern sewn as a peplum top!! Megan Nielsen Design Diary

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. It was shockingly easy and I am beyond in love with how it turned out!

Darling Ranges sewing pattern sewn as a peplum top!! Megan Nielsen Design Diary
Darling Ranges sewing pattern sewn as a peplum top!! Megan Nielsen Design Diary
Darling Ranges sewing pattern sewn as a peplum top!! Megan Nielsen Design Diary

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 hehe. Here I’m wearing it with a pair of slim-leg Ash jeans that I made during testing and I 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 and 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 high-waisted/ 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 armscyes 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!!

Darling Ranges sewing pattern sewn as a peplum top!! Megan Nielsen Design Diary
Darling Ranges sewing pattern sewn as a peplum top!! Megan Nielsen Design Diary
Darling Ranges sewing pattern sewn as a peplum top!! Megan Nielsen Design Diary
Darling Ranges sewing pattern sewn as a peplum top!! Megan Nielsen Design Diary

photography by Bronnie Joel

About Author

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

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Fiona Parker
4 years ago

Megan this is absolutely gorgeous! I may have to copy you!
I really like the raw hem of the peplum in particular

Eliz~
4 years ago

I would love to make this top ! Its perfect for me. But I am a size 20 top and 22 bottom. My bust is 45″ , my waist is 42″, hips 48″. Your pattern would require me to add/re-draft. I’m happy you carry paper patterns, I’d buy this today. But it won’t fit me.

Eliz~
4 years ago
Reply to  Meg

Wonderful! I’ll be back!

Megan
4 years ago
Reply to  Meg

Thats so good to hear, Meg! I own this pattern and graded it up, but I had to grade it up so much that I think some fit issues emerged that would not be there in a pattern drafted for a larger size range. I hope there is a discount offered for those of us with the smaller size range! Thanks.

Lia
Lia
4 years ago

Holey moley this is cute!! I love the raw hem too.

Abbey
3 years ago

I absolutely love this chambray peplum!!! So cute and such a versatile piece for your wardrobe.