Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Pattern Review: Vogue 8815 - Peplum Top

Peplum

Every year I do it. I go on a mad sewing jig, and make myself nothing but dresses, dresses and more dresses. And that's fun for a while - I mean, who doesn't love a good frock on a sunshiney day? - but one day you wake up and think "Gah! I have hairy legs, a thumping headache and I've got loads of running around to do. Today is NOT a day for dresses. I simply cannot be bothered. Today is pants."

But my problem is that I then go to the wardrobe and do you think I can find a half-decent top amongst all those dresses? The sad truth, which I discover and then obviously promptly forget on a yearly basis, is nope. Nut. Nihna nihna zero. But this year I decided to buck the trend. I was going to make some tops, and make them funky! So when I saw that Vogue had a peplum pattern out, I was all over it.

Now, normally I don't really follow fashion trends. I tend to just buy patterns that I like, and often it can take me years to get around to sewing them, but because I'm not slavishly trying to emulate what is currently in the shops then that isn't a problem. But I cannot go past a good peplum. Even the name is good. Pep. Lum. Yum! So for once I find myself in the curious, for me, position of being on-trend. I figured that since I was embracing the whole 'wear-what's-in-the-fashion-mags' thing that I may as well go the whole hog.

So peplum? Check! Florals? Check! Fluros? Check! People turning to stare at me when I wear this down the street because it's so peplummey/florally/fluroey? Check!

This pattern was easy peasey to sew up. I made a couple of adjustments, namely creating a double layer peplum, plus I omitted the binding from the armholes. Instead of using binding there, I did a narrow hem instead.

The double peplum was simple to create - I simply measured off one that was half the length of the original peplum pattern piece. When it came to attaching the peplum to the bodice, the pattern asks you to sew each peplum piece to the corresponding bodice piece, then sew your side seams together. Instead of doing that, I sewed my bodice pieces together first, then sewed my peplum side seams to each other. I then basted the two peplum layers together, then attached those to the bodice. That way my peplum floats free all the way around the bodice.

Would I make this pattern again? Sure! It's comfy to wear, hides the mummy-tummy well (also means you can eat far too much at lunch and nobody will ever know - cue evil self-satisfied laugh) and fits well thanks to the double darts in the back. And it only takes 1m of fabric. Can't go wrong with that!

Project Details
Pattern - Vogue 8815, view A
Fabric - 1m of Amy Butler fabric from the Lark collection, purchased from GJ's Discount Fabrics.
Notions - 51cm invisible zip, yellow bias binding for the neckline, hook and eye.

23 comments:

  1. Very fresh and springy! With this hairdo and glasses you should audition for the Season 6 of Mad Men :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great wardrobe addition - it's so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That just POPS! I imagine those staring Melbournites are just jealous that they only ever wear black and you, you wear colour with relish! This top is a triumph :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The fabric and pattern fits very good together. Love it on you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love it and it looks awesome on you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So beautiful - both you and the top!

    ReplyDelete
  7. delicious!! and i adore your hairstyle :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is one of the best versions of this top I've seen yet. That print makes me want to dance a jig of joy. And I could not agree more about pants these days... I feel like if I actually put on tights to wear with a dress I cannot deny that fall is ACTUALLY HERE (Groan).

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah yes! The wardrobe full of dresses conundrum! I know it well... This is such a fun and beautiful top - and you look so put together! Usually on my "pants days" I look like I just came back from the laundromat! I love the double peplum addition. Because one peplum is just not nearly enough!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love it! A wonderful top and I like the peplum modification you made.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love! Hair looks fabulous too x

    ReplyDelete
  12. It looks marvelous on you! Excellent work as always :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gorgeous! Love the fabric and the double peplum! I need to get this pattern!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love everything about this top. I must have one just like it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fantastic top! I love the twin peplums - double the fun!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I adore that on you! I love dress too though. Mostly I love dresses on someone else. I have an issue with shoes... If it's a casual dress, I can never figure out the shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cute fabric! Love peplums!! I'm tossing up between this pattern and the NL6130!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Perfect! Just what you need for spring. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. You look lovely! Your sewing is wonderful and I love your hair!! :) I lived in Australia for a couple of years in the 1990s. I spent a few months in Melbourne and loved it - loved the relaxed but pretty style of the people there. I am like you - I tend to wear and sew and knit what I like, rather than what is trendy, but the peplum is a great feature. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This looks fab on you! I'm finally getting around to this pattern..

    ReplyDelete
  21. This looks fab on you! I'm finally getting around to this pattern..

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello, I like your shirt! And your glasses! Can you please tell me which brand are they?

    ReplyDelete

Leave a comment! Make my day!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.