How to Make a Peplum Dress

Hello everybody! This week's tutorial is a super awesome, super easy pattern hack to one of our favorite Liberty Jane patterns.

By this point, you've probably heard of (or maybe even made) the LJC Peplum Top. It's a great little pattern that features a zipper closure in the back -- so you get to learn a new skill or two, while making a super cute top!

But this little top can easily be made into an adorable dress, as well. It's super easy to do -- since the peplum is cut from a rectangle, all you have to do is cut a slightly larger rectangle, and then continue on as before. 

(Click on the image, or the link above, to view this pattern on Pixie Faire...)

 

**GIVEAWAY UPDATE: We have a winner! It's Anna, who said her favorite skirt length is "knee length, because it is modest yet stylish". Good choice Anna! We'll be in touch with you via email soon :)

Here's how to make the dress: 

1. Take the Peplum pattern piece, and some extra copy paper. Tape paper to the bottom and front edge of the Peplum pattern.

2. Draw a line 1/2" away from Center Front, to make a new Center Front. This will add a bit of fullness to the new skirt.

3. Draw a new hemline, 2" below the original hemline, intersecting with the new center front line.

Basically, you just lengthened the peplum 2" to become skirt length, and added an inch of width too (that extra inch helps the skirt fit smoothly around the doll's hips). *Note - These are the specific measurements used to make the dress pictured. If you want to make a longer skirt, simply add a few more inches. If you want a fuller skirt you can add more to the width of the ruffle and just gather it to fit the waistband.

4. Extend the center back to meet the new hemilne and transfer all pattern markings if desired (FOLD, notches, and seam allowance lines) Cut out your modified pattern piece.

5. Follow all the same directions that are in the pattern to sew up your awesome new dress -- the only difference is that the hem of the peplum won't cover the bottom of the zipper (like the instructions tell you to do in step 27). One of our amazing seamstresses came up with this couture technique to cover the raw edge of the zipper tape with a tiny fabric scrap and some steam a seam! You can do something like this or simply cut the end at a point and apply a bit of fray check to keep it from fraying.

 

 

Congratulations! You've just hacked a pattern successfully!

Giveaway time!

Want to win this adorable little dress? Great! We'd love to send it to one lucky winner!

To enter, just leave a comment below answering this question:

Which skirt length do you like to dress your dolls in? Why? 

We'll pick a winner on Monday, July 20th, and get in touch with the winner via email. 

Thanks everyone for entering, and have fun with this!

For Pixie Faire,

Cinnamon

 


100 Comments

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fdzoajvsgv

March 09, 2021

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D
D

July 20, 2018

I like the length of dresses/skirts to be modest for young girls to associate and feel comfortable with – just above the knee or longer.

Patricia S.
Patricia S.

July 20, 2018

I usually just go by the pattern, but the knee length is great.

MarjoryW
MarjoryW

July 20, 2018

I make them all different lengths, depending on the style, but I do think that just above the knee looks good and is doll-age appropriate.

Gisele
Gisele

February 24, 2018

I like long shirts but it depends on the doll

Claudette
Claudette

August 11, 2017

We find we like all the skirt lengths. It all depends on the occasion for wearing them. The minis look great with boots and leggings. The knee length are good casual and the maxi’s are just plain fun in the sun wear. Keep up the great work!

Marty Cox
Marty Cox

August 11, 2017

I like all different lengths. Depends on the dress.

NanaSewBake
NanaSewBake

August 11, 2017

I like just above the knee. If I won this outfit, I would donate it to a auction or give it to a child in need. I just love being a NANA love to SEW love to BAKE

Della
Della

July 06, 2017

I like the longer length.

Joan R.
Joan R.

July 05, 2017

My granddaughter has 5 dolls, so I have made this peplum dress from mid thigh to wear with capri leggings to ankle length dress. I have used everything from cottons to fancy with lace overlay skirt. They all looked absolutely adorable on her dolls. Love all the Pixie Faire Patterns.

LaWanna
LaWanna

June 30, 2017

I like it below the knee…you can always shorten it if you change your mind ?

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

June 30, 2017

I like all lengths, but I do tend to lean towards below the knee. More room for little extras.

Elizabeth G
Elizabeth G

June 15, 2017

I’m partial dresses in several different length. That way I have the choice of which length I want at any given time.

Virginia
Virginia

June 15, 2017

I would like the dress three inches above the Knees, this would not be to short for this beautiful dress.

Linda Chamberlain
Linda Chamberlain

July 15, 2016

I really like dresses that are perhaps an inch above the knee of the doll. They really look cute! They look like little school girls!

Laurie
Laurie

July 14, 2016

The mini for sure. It’s nice to sew for a doll that has better legs than mine.
Marjorie Dickson
Marjorie Dickson

June 24, 2016

I prefer the length that “hits” the middle of the knee. This way, plenty of leg is shown and the modesty of this length is what a young woman should wear to appear ‘proper’. Much shorter skirts should be considered as tunics and worn over leggings or shorts. Little ladies can play safely and modestly in hemlines that hit the middle of the knee. Yea, swinging on the swing and playing on the teeter/totter. Thank you for the instructions, patterns, and stylish clothes.

Nancy
Nancy

June 17, 2016

I like the skirt length just above the knee. Minis are cute with a pair of shorts underneath the way my granddaughter wears them. Thanks for the free patterns and all the great freebies , love the mini flowers.

Merilee
Merilee

May 13, 2016

I like it at the knees because that’s where I like it on me.

Crystal S
Crystal S

April 16, 2016

I like knee length because I think little girls should learn proper dress lenght and not show panties

Karen
Karen

February 02, 2016

I like the mini length. It reminds me of early 70’s when I was in high school and made my own outfits I wore to school.

Karen
Karen

February 02, 2016

I like the mini length. It reminds me of early 70’s when I was in high school and made my own outfits I wore to school.

Beth
Beth

January 29, 2016

I like the mini length. You can wear the dress as is or with tights or leggings or with a longer skirt under it for different looks. 3 in 1!

Mattie Saturley
Mattie Saturley

December 20, 2015

I like the dress right above the knee.

Lori
Lori

November 12, 2015

I like knew length or slightly below.

judy
judy

October 27, 2015

I like the middy look which is right below the knee…adorable…
Crystal D
Crystal D

September 30, 2015

Our girls prefer the length to be about 1/2 inch below the knee.

Thresea Wright
Thresea Wright

September 30, 2015

formal length is nice for some special occasions

Mary H.
Mary H.

September 29, 2015

At the knee most of the time. It’s classic.

Dawn
Dawn

August 20, 2015

On my wish list. Just love the above the knee look .Have so many ideas when I get the pattern.

Margie B
Margie B

August 07, 2015

I like the dresses a little above the knee unless I am making them specifically to wear with boots or leggings. Of course, the historic dresses for colonial times or before would be able length!.Love the peplum dress.

Sharon
Sharon

July 31, 2015

I like the dress to be about the knee. The proportion of top to bottom looks better when the bottom (skirt of the dress) is longer than the top.

Laura
Laura

July 24, 2015

My favorite is a bit above the knee—perfect for summer! And this dress/top is so versatile, it looks great with a lot of different lengths. Even a longer dress with a longer bodice would look fantastic.

Alice Carskaddon
Alice Carskaddon

July 24, 2015

I like right at the knees or a tad above the knee, unless a party dress or fancy skirt can be longer. Right now making Maxi skirts and dresses so long. I guess I like all lengths…

Maria
Maria

July 22, 2015

I like the dress to be a little long below the knee and with more fullness

Carlena
Carlena

July 22, 2015

adorable!! I prefer the length to be at the knees unless I am pairing it with boots and leggings.

Clara
Clara

July 22, 2015

How adorable! I like just under the knee-length skirts for my dolls.

Jan
Jan

July 22, 2015

This dress is so adorable. I like the above knee length – it would make my granddaughters
“Penny” the cutest!!!

Amelia
Amelia

July 20, 2015

Above the knee so I can pair it with calf length leggings or just because I prefer the shorter length. I think it looks cuter!

Linda K
Linda K

July 20, 2015

I love knee length

Carol S
Carol S

July 20, 2015

I like most of the dresses to be just above knee length.

Morgan
Morgan

July 20, 2015

I like them at the knee for most of my dolls. By the way, I love that fabric!

Denise
Denise

July 20, 2015

I like a knee length dress for my girls. For their age, knee length is appropriate. This peplum dress is absolutely adorable.

Lea
Lea

July 19, 2015

It depends on the doll, if she’s shy i like longer dresses, but if she’s outgoing i make it short!

Glenda
Glenda

July 19, 2015

I like to make them above the knee unless the style looks best longer.

Glenda
Glenda

July 19, 2015

I like to make them above the knee unless the style looks best longer.

Jo
Jo

July 19, 2015

I like my doll skirts to be slightly above the knee and if it happens to be a full skirt, I like it to be extra full.

Lizzy
Lizzy

July 19, 2015

I usually dress my dolls in knee-length dresses for the summer. It’s modest, yet light and cool… and it shows off their adorable shoes! :)

~Lizzy

Dorothy
Dorothy

July 19, 2015

I like the hem to be just above the knee. I look forward to trying this peplum dress. Thank you for the tutorial.

Elena
Elena

July 18, 2015

Our modern girls like their dresses just above the knee to mid thigh, it looks age appropriate on them :-)

Jules
Jules

July 18, 2015

For formal dresses or events, I like long dresses because they look elegant. If it is a fun dress, for summer, or for dancing, I like the dress an inch above the knee.

Gail Orr
Gail Orr

July 18, 2015

I have decided that my doll is 13 years old, so the hemlines have to be 3 cm (or a bit over an inch) at least above the knee.

American Girl Doll Artist
American Girl Doll Artist

July 18, 2015

I like to dress my dolls in skirts and dress knee length. Most of Grace Thomas’s clothing is that length, and it’s my favorite. It’s modern and doesn’t look too old fashioned.

penny
penny

July 18, 2015

just above the knee, always looks great with leggings at my grands insist on putting on their dolls.

Emmy W.
Emmy W.

July 18, 2015

I generally dress my dolls in skirts slightly above the knee for summer, and below the knee or with tights for winter.

Emily
Emily

July 18, 2015

I like to dress my dolls in skirts just above the knee. Any higher and I find it almost inappropriate. I’m not much of a skirt person myself, but dolls look so cute in dresses and skater skirts! :)

Bethany
Bethany

July 18, 2015

I like to dress my dolls in knee length/mid shin length skirt because that’s the length I like to wear the most myself.

Pam
Pam

July 17, 2015

I would like between short and above the knee, my reason is that it is modern. My Granddaughter would pick outfits that she would like to have to put on her AG. I really think the confetti print material is darling.

Ellie
Ellie

July 17, 2015

I like a dress length to be just below the knee or in the middle of the shins because it was a popular length during the 50’s

Jaynee
Jaynee

July 17, 2015

Dress length just above the knee:)

Marjory W.
Marjory W.

July 17, 2015

It depends on the style, but I usually like them at knee length or slightly above the knee.

Sandy
Sandy

July 17, 2015

I like dresses for dolls just above the knees.

Gail
Gail

July 17, 2015

I like the length of the skirt and dress to fit the occasion and the doll.

Edna Robinson
Edna Robinson

July 17, 2015

I like them above the knee.

Melissa E
Melissa E

July 17, 2015

I prefer just above the knee. I think it looks best on the dolls.

B
B

July 17, 2015

I like dresses just above the knee

Suzan
Suzan

July 17, 2015

I like skirts above the knee and longer dresses.

Leola
Leola

July 17, 2015

I do a lot of heirloom clothes, so go mostly with below the knee.
sporty things above the knee.

Michelle
Michelle

July 17, 2015

I like above the knee. I think it looks the best on the dolls.

Marilyn
Marilyn

July 17, 2015

I like the dresses to be a little above the knee which makes the outfit more versatile. Thanks.

Jan
Jan

July 17, 2015

I like the hem at just above the knee “cap”. I like to teach my granddaughters to be modest now, while they are still young, in hopes that they will continue to be modest in the clothes they choose to wear throughout their lives.

Rebecca W.
Rebecca W.

July 17, 2015

For my dolls, skirt length depends on how old the character is (and what time period). I guess I most prefer a little above the knee.

When I made a dress from this pattern I just doubled the length of the peplum piece and was happy with it. I wish I had thought to add some extra fullness, though!

Fay
Fay

July 17, 2015

Just above the knee thanks

Sylvia
Sylvia

July 17, 2015

I usually like short, it just looks cuter on the dolls.

Judith
Judith

July 17, 2015

I really love tea length on the 18" dolls.

Winter
Winter

July 17, 2015

It depends on the style but I usually prefer short dresses. It’s difficult to sit dolls down if their skirts are too long or too tight.

Karen
Karen

July 17, 2015

I do a lot of formal dresses so they are long.

Barb F
Barb F

July 17, 2015

I thank that mid thigh is current and stylish for this cute peplum dress. Little girls like to have their dolls look fashionable! I might even try a maxi length for a variation.

Lolli
Lolli

July 17, 2015

I think that AG dolls look very elegant in maxi dresses. They have a nice body shape, and long dresses seem to highlight that. Thanks for the pattern!

Mary R,
Mary R,

July 17, 2015

I like the hem line just above the knee.

Dawn
Dawn

July 17, 2015

I like skirts above the knee most of the time. They just look better to me. And these dolls are supposed to be little girls and little girls usually don’t wear mid-calf length skirts. (Maxi skirts notwithstanding) Thanks

Bev Jeanes
Bev Jeanes

July 17, 2015

I like the dresses just at the knee or a little shorter

sandy
sandy

July 17, 2015

I like it a little below the knee.

PATRICIA
PATRICIA

July 17, 2015

I DONT USUALLY PICK A LENGTH SIZE I JUST GO BY THE PATTERNS

Joanna Fedewa
Joanna Fedewa

July 17, 2015

Oh I would love to enter this!

Um. Dress or skirt length? Must I choose? I really have no preference at all. I love dresses and skirts on my dolls I guess as long as they aren’t so short they are showing the top of their thighs, then I will put them in a skirt or dress. Because with short skirts and dresses you can layer it up.
Joanna

jordan
jordan

July 17, 2015

I like dresses that go below the knee.

Marilyn
Marilyn

July 17, 2015

I think above the knee looks really nice and I would like a fuller skirt in maybe a soft fabric that would drape nicely. I watch Project Runway and really like skirts I’ve seen on the show that are above the knee but not super-short. Thanks for all your amazing patterns.

D Rice
D Rice

July 17, 2015

I prefer the flowing ankle length for myself, but on my dolls I prefer just above the knee so it can be used with leggings, capris, shorts or by itself.

Elaine
Elaine

July 17, 2015

I think this peplum top looks adorable as a little top. It just has a cute little flare that looks so innocent on the American girl dolls. I reminds me of when I was a little girl of 6 or 7 years old wearing shorts and having cute little tops to go with them that matched in the Summer months to play in. It also reminds me of the Baby doll pajamas my sister and I wore in the 1960s to bed in the Summertime. I miss catching fireflies and putting them into a mayonaise jar and watching them light up in the dark while wearing these kinds of clothes. Thanks for the reminders of my childhood.

Cheryl Anderson
Cheryl Anderson

July 17, 2015

Love full-length dresses when making gowns….., but like to do right above the knees for that 50’s look when making shirt-waist dresses. (Can’t wait to make this pattern soon -probably will also make it as a Peplum Top).

Lacey
Lacey

July 17, 2015

I like just above the knee. easy to wear on it’s own or with leggings.

Janice
Janice

July 17, 2015

This one wouldlook best short. The knee length area is too long.

Detra
Detra

July 17, 2015

Just above the knee for everyday and formal dresses. My second choice is mid-calf lengths! It so depends upon the look. style, and fabric used.

Donna
Donna

July 17, 2015

I like the dress to hit just above the knee. This way it could be used as a dress or a long tunic.

Aunt Nancy
Aunt Nancy

July 17, 2015

I am in agreement with the just above the knee crowd.

Sarah
Sarah

July 17, 2015

I prefer the dress to be a little bit above of the knee, because then the dress can go great with either high boots or sandals. But I also like long dresses too because its looks like a maxi shirt

Bri
Bri

July 17, 2015

I like to vary in the length of the dresses I put on my dolls! If it is a normal dress, I like the length slightly above the knee. If it’s a party dress or a more formal dress, I like the length at the ankle! It really just depends on the mood I’m in! =)

Phyllis Latham
Phyllis Latham

July 17, 2015

Depends. A dressy dress I want at least knee length and preferably just below the knee. For something more casual just a tad above the knee. Anything shorter and my dolls would wear leggings more than likely. Thanks for the chance to win a cute dresst.

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