Red Peplum Winner...

Thank you so much for your input!  I loved your comments and took your votes to heart.  In the end, I went with Option #1, which had the most votes.  To finish off the neckline, I added a biased edge from the project scraps.

I also loved your idea to pair the top with a statement necklace.  I decided on a necklace that I made a few years ago, using pearls and sea glass.  This went nicely with a 100% silk brocade Tori Richard skirt that I found at Goodwill (with the tags on!) for $4 and a pair of purple heels that I scored for $3.50. 

I can't wait to wear my new red peplum this Holiday season!

  

Holiday Peplum Refashion

Happy Holidays!  I hope your Thanksgiving was as peaceful and refreshing as mine. I was blessed to be with my son, husband, and some good friends. 

Today I have a Holiday inspired peplum refashion for you, and I need your advice on how to finish it. I was excited when my mom gave me this red jersey polo because I knew right away that it would make a great Holiday top.

Don't you think this outfit would have been perfect for Turkey Day?

80's Top to Floral Peplum Refashion

When I first saw this shirt at a garage sale for a dollar I was immediately brought back to the 80's - mall bangs, french rolled jeans, jellies. 

I admit this top isn't all that bad.  Minus the shoulder pads, it's actually kind of cute.  But...  I had other plans for it.  Because the bottom was already gathered, I could see that it would be an easy sleeveless peplum top refashion.  I began by getting rid of those outdated shoulder pads.  I'm starting to get quite a collection, and I need to think of a way to reuse the.  Any ideas?

Once I freed the shirt of its pads, I cut the sleeve off of one side. In order to make both sides even, I folded the top in half and used this sleeve to cut the sleeve on the opposite side. 

And I ended up with mostly even cuts on both sides.

I wasn't too keen on the buttons down the front, so I put the top backwards on my dress form.

 

As for the collar, I just eyed it and cut a curved neckline. Next, I sized and pinned up the sides for a nice snug fit.  I noticed some bulge around the breast area so I pinned in some darts on each side.

 After the sides and darts were stitched up, I stitched a hem for the collar and sleeves.  In less than an hour I had a cute and stylish floral peplum top. It was a perfect top for a Friday sunset on the beach.

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