Today I'm going to show you a quick tutorial on how to move the waistline of a peplum top. I'll be using the Rosemary Raglan* from Peekaboo Pattern Shop. I love this pattern! It fits my daughter really well and is packed with options.
The peplum on this pattern is designed with a dropped waist, a waistline below the natural waist. For this project I moved the peplum up to the natural waist, and here is how you can do it, too:
Start with a multi-size pattern. If you're using a PDF pattern with layers, I recommend turning on layers with your size and a couple sizes bigger and smaller. (Out of respect to the designer, whole pattern pieces are not shown.)
{This post contains affiliate links, indicated by an asterisk*. Please refer to ‘About’ in the top menu for more info.}
Take a look at your front bodice piece. This pattern tells me if I'm sewing the peplum option, I cut my bodice on the 'Peplum Tunic Cutting Line". Instead of doing that, I'm going to mark my daughter's natural waist on the pattern. You may want to hold the pattern piece up to your child (or your body if you are sewing for yourself) to check the position of the new waist.
The new waistline at the natural waist is shorter than the old waistline. Because the body is smaller at the waist than at the hips, this will affect which size peplum I cut out.
Using a ruler, draw a lineparallel to the center fold, starting from the side of your new waistline and extending down to your old waistline. (Shown in PURPLE.)
This line intersects with the 18 month size, so I know I will need to cut an 18 month size peplum. I want the width of the 18 month size, but my girl is a 2T so I'm going to add about 1" around the bottom edge of the peplum pattern piece, and then cut out my peplum.
Going back to the bodice piece...fold your pattern piece on the new waistline. You can fold and tuck the lower part of the pattern out of the way. It's time to add your seam allowance.
Cut your bodice pattern 1/2" lower than the edge of the new waistline to allow for your seam allowance.
Repeat with the BACK BODICE pattern piece, folding it at the waistline and adding your seam allowance before cutting out.
Sew you peplum and bodice together according to the instructions.
My daughter loves her new floral raglan shirt! (She also will pose for bubbles, if you couldn't tell.)
This adjustment is easier than it looks and it's so fun to get another look out of this pattern!
I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! For more sewing help, visit my 'Tutorials' in the menu at the top of this page. Happy Sewing!
