Handkerchief Peplum Dress DIY + Mini Tutorial

Have you seen Jean in her white dress?  If you have, you can guess why I all of a sudden wanted one too :)  Shopping for a white sheath can be a bit of a nightmare because I need a dress with the following qualities: must not be see-through, must fit proportions well, must hide tummy, and must be a "deal" of some sort.  That's a tall order, and one unlikely to be filled without a good deal of shopping around, so I went to the fabric store instead.  While searching for a white ponte knit (and getting disappointed by the $13/yd price tag), I found a heavy white knit instead (on crazy sale for $2.50/yd).  It's a little thicker than ponte and a little less stretchy.  Both qualities help in the "hide tummy" camp :)

I started with the white sheath and felt like it needed a little extra something when I finished.  I decided to add a removable handkerchief peplum.

Dress with and without peplum - I prefer the "with" (at least for now)

DIY White Sheath Dress w/ Removable Handkerchief Peplum

Amrita Singh Sag Harbor Necklace, Lapis 

Gucci d'Orsay Pumps, Camel
Michael Kors Watch
Hermes & J. Crew Bracelets
Melie Bianco Ariana Bag (giveaway win via Kileen of Cute and Little)

Handkerchief Peplum Tutorial

So how do you make a handkerchief peplum?  Remember my pencil skirt + removable peplum tutorial here?  Follow the same instructions to determine the radius for your waist cut-out.

Cut out that arc and then hem your edges.  Voila, handkerchief peplum!

(Note: Since this fabric was a plain white solid, I folded it into quarters and cut out the waist.  This results in a large square with a circle in the middle.  Simply cut from one edge of your square up to the circle, hem the cut edges, and add closure to get your removable peplum.)

What kind of peplum do you prefer - round, handkerchief, other?

J. Crew Natasha Inspired DIY Top

Polka dots, gingham, anchors, stripes...they've been in constant replay in my mind.  Today's DIY was inspired by J. Crew's Natasha top.  I loved the dots and ruffles combination so decided to give it a shot.

I typically don't line my tops (too much of a pain) but a cami underneath the chiffon just wouldn't have the same effect.  I think the extra effort paid off in this case.

Inspiration:  J. Crew Natasha Top in Polka Dot, $80 (buy here)

DIY:  Polka Dot Top w/ Ruffled Placket & Collar, $10 in materials

DIY Polka Dot Top

Macy's Black Skirt (old)

The Limited Leopard Belt (old)

Target Mossimo Pearce Pumps

J. Crew Crystal Stripe Link Bracelet

Kate Spade Take a Bow Ring (avail in Kate Spade Outlet for $28)

H&M Black and White Bangles

Hermes Clic H

What kinds of prints have you been in love with lately?

Nautical Peplum Top DIY

When I saw this lighthouse fabric, I was instantly drawn to the nautical vibe of it.  I briefly thought of making this into a skirt but I decided it would be more fun as a peplum top.  I'm also in midst of making a little dress for Baby E in the same fabric :)

Trying to figure out what looks best with it.  Are the red pants too much?

DIY Nautical Peplum Top

DIY Blue Pencil Skirt

New York & Co Slim Crop Pants (slimmed legs for better fit)

Gap Always Skinny Jeans

Melie Bianco Ariana Bag

Gucci d'Orsay Pumps, Camel

Frye Joy Vintage Slide

Amrita Singh Sag Harbor Necklace, Lapis (buy here)

LOFT Rhinestone Bracelet

DIY Pearl Bracelet

Hermes Clic H

Timex + J. Crew Strap

DIY Leatherette Bracelet  (refashioned from belt)

On the dress form for a better photo of the silhouette

Used bodice from Simplicity 2444 and peplum (slightly modified) from vintage McCall's 2948

Do you think peplums look better with skirts or pants?