I had this beautiful Front Tie Puff Sleeve Top saved on my Pinterest board for over a year, and I finally got around to making it — and let me tell you, it instantly became one of my favorites! I just had to share it with you, especially because it’s a beginner-friendly sewing project.
No need for fancy patterns here — we’ll self-draft everything based on our own measurements!
If you’re just starting out with sewing or want a fun, easy project to refresh your wardrobe, this is for you.
I also filmed the whole process!
If you prefer seeing it step-by-step in action, check out the YouTube video tutorial for even clearer instructions.
Let’s get into it!
For this Front Tie Puff Sleeve Top you will need:
Materials You’ll Need:
- 1.5 meters of cotton fabric (Gingham)
- Additional fabric for doubling the front part (about 0,5 m)
- Narrow elastic for the bottom of the sleeves
- Basic sewing supplies (thread, scissors, pins, sewing machine, iron)
- Safety pin (for threading elastic)
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
1. Create Your Pattern
Lay a top you already own flat on some pattern paper (or wrapping paper).
First, fold the top in half and copy the front. Then, fold it the other way and trace the back.
Make sure to mark where the fabric fold should be and label your pieces.
For the length, I measured 27 cm (including seam allowance), but you can adjust this based on where you want the peplum to start.
For reference, I’m a size 36 with a small chest — feel free to modify the measurements to fit you!
Cut out your pattern pieces and mark them clearly.
2. Cut the Fabric
Cut:
- Two mirrored front pieces from your main fabric
- One back piece on fold
- Repeat for the lining fabric
3. Sew the Bodice
Iron everything first to make it easier to work with.
Pin the shoulders and side seams of both the main fabric and the lining, and sew them together.
Press the seams flat using an iron.
Then, place the main fabric and lining right sides together, align the shoulder seams, and pin everything carefully.
Set the bodice aside for now — time to make the ties!
4. Make the Ties
Cut six strips measuring about 6 x 40 cm each (I originally cut them longer but shortened them later — 40 cm is plenty).
Fold the long edges of each strip inwards and press them flat with an iron, almost like you’re making bias tape.
Then, fold the strip in half again and press.
Sew a straight line along the open side to close the tie neatly.
Tip: No need to turn the ties inside out — folding and sewing saves time and gives a clean finish!
5. Attach the Ties
Sandwich the ties between the lining and main fabric along the front opening.
I placed three ties on each side — one at the top (near the neckline), one at the bottom, and one centered between them.
Pin everything securely, then sew around the neckline and down the front in one continuous line.
Turn the top right sides out and give it a good press.
6. Make the Peplum
Measure the width of your bodice at the bottom, multiply that by four — that’s how wide your peplum fabric should be!
For me, the bodice was 50 cm across, so I cut a 2m x 28 cm rectangle (including seam allowance).
Using the longest stitch length on your machine, sew a straight line across the top long edge of the rectangle.
Leave long thread tails at both ends and don’t backstitch.
Gently pull one of the threads to gather the fabric into soft, even ruffles.
Tip: You can hem the two short sides of the peplum before gathering the fabric.
7. Attach the Peplum
You have two options here:
- Advanced: Fold the lining and main fabric inwards and sandwich the peplum between them for a clean inside finish.
- Easier: First sew the lining to the main fabric at the bottom, then sew the peplum on separately.
I recommend pinning the peplum carefully, adjusting the gathers evenly before sewing.
Also, do as I say, not as I show — make sure the right side of the peplum is facing the right side of the bodice!
8. Make and Attach the Sleeves
Cut two rectangles for the sleeves:
- Width = twice your arm circumference at the point you want the sleeve to hit.
- Length = from shoulder to desired sleeve length + 4 cm (for hemming and seam allowance).
For me, I cut 60 x 44 cm rectangles.
Fold the rectangles in half and draw a slight slant at the top (to mimic a simple sleeve shape).
Note: This is a very simplified method — you could slice a sleeve pattern properly, but for beginners, this works great!
Cut along the slant, pin the side seams, and sew.
Press the seams flat.
Next, cut elastic to fit comfortably around your arm, thread it through the bottom hem of the sleeve using a safety pin, zigzag the elastic ends together, and sew the opening closed.
To create volume at the top of the sleeve, sew a gathering stitch around the top edge and gently pull to gather.
Before attaching the sleeves, I stitched the lining and main fabric of the bodice together around the armholes to make it neater.
Then, place the sleeves right sides together with the bodice and sew along the armhole.
Hem the bottom of the peplum by folding the fabric in twice and sewing it down.
If you notice any raw or messy seams inside, you can zigzag stitch them to neaten everything up.
I also gave the gathered sections a quick press with the iron to help them lay flatter — but that’s totally optional!
And you’re done!
You now have a beautiful, handmade Front Tie Puff Sleeve Top — completely customized to your size!
If you make one, please tag me on Instagram @owlipop — I would love to see your versions!
And if you’d like even clearer step-by-step instructions, don’t forget to watch the YouTube tutorial here!
Thanks for sewing along with me!
More sewing tutorials here.
