Learn how to sew this cute diy peplum cami top. This sewing project requires no sewing pattern, is beginner friendly and really fun to make! Made using small scraps this project is the perfect way to use up your favourite fabrics that are not big enough for other garment projects.

diy peplum cami top by makyla creates

I love to go over to Pinterest and make mood boards for inspiration, which is where this idea came from. I was kindly gifted this fabric from a friend at uni who thought it was more my style and I was so overjoyed by the generosity. When searching for inspiration I came across Cecile Bahnsen a designer from Copenhagen.

My fabric is a sheer embroidered floral, which has some stiffness to it so naturally I saw this and thought YES!

The best way to get ideas out is to sketch your thoughts onto paper then you won’t forget anything. Plus you can go back and make changes if you need to. I used my Fashionary sketch book for my rough ideas, its honestly such a time saver. If you like to sketch fashion illustrations you probably know how long it can take to draw a body!

Below is my design idea for a small cami top. I had drawn the dress when in Uni and pulled inspiration for this also.

Please note this post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclosure here. 

diy peplum cami top by makyla creates

DIY PEPLUM CAMI TOP TIPS

  • If you have small pieces like me patch them together first to make a bigger piece of fabric.
  • Sew with french seams if your fabric is sheer like mine.
  • You can sew the back seam closed if you prefer.
  • If you have more fabric make the peplum width x2 the bust to get a fuller look.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

HOW TO SEW A DIY PEPLUM CAMI TOP

Measure, cut, and press fabric. Measure your bust and divide this by 2.

Cut one front bodice piece (1/2 bust + 2cm for seams by 12cm long) and two back bodice pieces (1/4 bust + 4cm for seams by 12cm long).

Cut out the same again in the lining fabric.

Multiple the bust x2 for the peplum width. Cut the peplum (double bust by 33cm long).

Cut 2 strips for the straps 2cm wide x 30cm long.

PREPARE THE STRAPS

Fold the straps in half lengthways and press to crease.

Fold in the raw edges towards the centre crease and press again.

Fold in half lengthwise with the raw edges hidden inside and pin in place.

Edge stitch the straps closed.

Repeat for the other strap.

MAKE THE BODICE

Place the front and back bodice pieces right sides together and pin at the side seams.

Sew the side seams with 1cm seam allowance.

Pin the straps to the appropriate places on the front and back bodice. *Tip is to pin the straps onto the bodice and try it on yourself to see how its sitting. Be careful not to twist your straps! Pull them out straight when pinning to the other side of bodice.

Sew the straps securely in place.

I added button loops to the back of my bodice but you can add a hook and eye or sew the back seam closed. (watch the video tutorial for more on this).

Join the side seams of the bodice lining.

Right sides together place the lining on top of the main bodice with the straps facing towards the inside. Pin around back and top edge of the bodice.

Sew the lining to the bodice with 1cm seam allowance.

Trim the corners and turn through to the right side then press.

MAKE THE PEPLUM

Fold the centre back seams in 5mm and again 5mm then edge stitch to finish.

Change the sewing machine stitch length to 4-5 .

Gather the top edge of peplum with two rows of gather stitching. 1st row 5mm from raw edge than the 2nd row 1cm from the raw edge.

Pull stitching to gather up the peplum. Fit this to the bottom edge of the bodice.

SEWING THE PEPLUM TO THE BODICE

Pin to the peplum to the bottom of the bodice main fabric right sides together.

Sew around with a 1cm seam allowance.

Fold up 1cm to the wrong side of the bodice lining and press to crease.

Pin the bodice lining the main bodice to hide the peplum seam and edge stitch closed.

If you can adding buttons or a hook and eye you can sew these on now.

Then voila you’re finished!

DIY Cami Top

DIY Cami Top

How to make a cute DIY peplum cami top with a small amount of fabric. If you have cute fabric scraps laying around this project is perfect! This sewing project is beginner-friendly and really fun to make!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty Beginner
Estimated Cost $20.00

Materials

  • 1 metre fabric (like cotton, linen, rayon, tencel)
  • 25cm x 115cm lining fabric
  • Optional: Buttons or hook and eye

Tools

  • Thread
  • Sewing machine
  • Fabric shears
  • Tape measure
  • Pins

Instructions

  1. Measure, cut, and press fabric. Measure your bust and divide this by 2. Cut one front bodice piece (1/2 bust + 2cm for seams by 12cm long) and two back bodice pieces (1/4 bust + 4cm for seams by 12cm long).
  2. Cut out the same again in the lining fabric.
  3. Multiple the bust x2 for the peplum width. Cut the peplum (double bust by 33cm long).
  4. Cut 2 strips for the straps 2cm x 30cm.
  5. Fold the straps in half lengthways and press to crease the fabric.
  6. Fold in the raw edges towards the centre crease and press again.
  7. Fold in half lengthwise with the raw edges hidden inside and pin in place.
  8. Edgestitch the straps closed. Repeat for the other strap.
  9. Place the front and back bodice pieces right sides together and pin at the side seams.
  10. Sew the side seams with a 1cm seam allowance.
  11. Pin the straps to the appropriate places on the front and back bodice. *Tip is to pin the straps onto the bodice and try it on yourself to see how it's sitting. Be careful not to twist your straps! Pull them out straight when pinning to the other side of the bodice.
  12. Sew the straps securely in place.
  13. I added button loops to the back of my bodice but you can add a hook and eye or sew the back seam closed. (watch the video tutorial for more on this).
  14. Join the side seams of the bodice lining.
  15. Right sides together place the lining on top of the main bodice with the straps facing towards the inside. Pin around the back and top edge of the bodice.
  16. Sew the lining to the bodice with a 1cm seam allowance.
  17. Trim the corners and turn through to the right side then press.
  18. Fold the centre back seams in 5mm and again 5mm then edge stitch to finish.
  19. Change the sewing machine stitch length to 4-5. Gather the top edge of the peplum with two rows of gathered stitching. 1st row is 5mm from the raw edge and the 2nd row is 1cm from the raw edge.
  20. Pull stitching to gather up the peplum. Fit this to the bottom edge of the bodice.
  21. Pin the peplum to the bottom of the bodice main fabric right sides together.
  22. Sew around with a 1cm seam allowance.
  23. Fold up 1cm to the wrong side of the bodice lining and press to crease the fabric.
  24. Pin the bodice lining the main bodice to hide the peplum seam and edge stitch closed.
  25. If you can add buttons or a hook and eye you can sew these on now.

Notes

  • If you have small pieces like me patch them together first to make a bigger piece of fabric.
  • Sew with french seams if your fabric is sheer like mine.
  • You can sew the back seam closed if you prefer.
  • If you have more fabric make the peplum width x2 the bust to get a fuller look.

Did you make this project?

Please consider leaving a 5 star review if you enjoyed this project! Don't forget to share this project to Pinterest for later!

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