Anthropologie peplum tank knock off sewing tutorial

Today I'm showing you how to make this adorable Anthropologie-inspired tank above!

It's no secret around here that I (Jessica) love Anthropologie. I mean, this isn't exactly my first Anthro hack post! A couple weeks ago, I made my own version of the Oblique Pencil Skirt and showed you how to make yourself one as well (in 30 minutes!):

 
Last summer I did a tutorial for my own version of the Pattern Pop Tee:

And last fall I made these knock-offs of the Toulouse Earrings:

Today's knock-off was born because I was in love with this Lace Peplum Top, but didn't love the 'lace' part. People I am not a 'lace' woman most of the time, I will only wear it under duress or for very special occasions. And then only in very bright colors like pink. But I did love that this particular tank was light and flowy and white, perfect for summer!

Sadly, by the time I saw this tank, it was completely sold out. But that wasn't a huge problem, because I would never have paid $58 for it anyways (who does that?!?) Instead, I made my own!

Here's how my version turned out:

 

Side note, I actually made those shorts too, they're cut offs from some really hideous Target jeans I bought last winter. Way cuter as shorts!

Even though this project didn't turn out exactly like the original, I still love it! Sometimes the back part of a peplum is a little...bulky for me. I actually have some junk in my proverbial trunk, and sometimes extra bulk is not the most attractive! So having the back lay flat is much more flattering. And as I said I'm not really that much of a "lace" girl, so leaving off the lace was a no-brainer.

But since this was such a simple DIY, today I'm going to show you how to make your own. I was really simple and only took about an hour to make, and two shirts from the thrift store! Check it out:

1. You'll need 2 shirts, one tank that fits you well, and one XL shirt in the same color, for making the peplum piece.
2. Cut the hem off of the tank, on the front part of the shirt only.
3. Seam rip the sides of the tank, to about 3 inches below the arm holes.
4. Mark on the front panel where you'd like your peplum ruffle to begin. I marked mine with a pin and that worked great!

5. Just below your mark on your tank, cut off the rest of the bottom panel. Leave about 1/4 inch for seam allowance.
6. Take shirt #2, the XL one, and cut the entire bottom off of the shirt and the same length as the piece you just cut off of your tank. This will be your ruffle!
7. Cut down one side of your new ruffle piece, to make one long strip of fabric. Leave the original hem intact, it's just so, so much easier, and I'm a fantastically lazy sewist.
8. With the wrong sides together, you're going to pin your ruffle piece evenly across the front panel of your tank (easiest if the tank is inside out), matching up the hems as closely as possible. You can also gather your ruffle piece prior to this step, but because it was jersey and pretty hard to gather evenly, I just pinned it in place along the edge. Once you've got it pinned, sew your ruffle down with a zig zag stitch. Then you'll sew back up the sides of your tank, and you're done!

Thanks for taking a look at my little tutorial! Hopefully I've inspired you to do some summer sewing of your own. And as always, if you make your own version using our tutorial please send us a picture! In the mean time, if you're looking for more fun sewing tutorials you can check those out on our sewing page. Happy Monday!