We still have a lot to tell you about our whirlwind “Lucy and Ethel take on the LA Fashion District” trip (Liz shared part I yesterday) and I will be back with another round of that (including fabric pics) on Thursday….but in the meantime I have one of the easiest dresses on the planet to make—3 seams and NO hemming. Yes! Seriously, the perfect for summer.
At the end of our pattern drafting class, both Liz and I got obsessed with caftans. She made the Endora top using the caftan principle, and I decided to make summer maxi dresses for me and for Hannah.
The best part about a caftan is….it’s basically two rectangles! So there are only 3 seams to sew if you are using knit (which I completely recommend). Because most knit doesn’t fray, the arm holes, the neck and the hem are all left unhemmed and they still look super cute!
They also can be made in any length! I am planning a kelly green knee-length one, and the directions are EXACTLY the same.
Do you want to make one (or 5) for summer?
Here’s what you need.
Supplies:
For mine I used 2 yards of knit.
Elastic Thread (optional–I used this to pull the waist in on Hannah’s; but didn’t on mine.I will always wear it with a belt)
Hannah’s was a scrap so I am not sure how long it was….but I am guessing a yard would do most girls.
In the tutorial I am showing you how I made the little girl’s one, but it is EXACTLY the same for a woman’s. All you need is a width measurement and a length measurement.
And you are ready to start!
Here’s what you do……
And you are done!
On my maxi dress, I decided to leave it unshirred (that’s not a word, but you get the idea) and just pull it in with a belt….which is an even FASTER dress to make!
So, what you do say, are you going to be wearing a million caftan dresses this summer too?
I totally am. Comfy and cute….and I think one of the easiest things I have ever sewn.
~Elizabeth
PS –If you make one…I would love to see it. Will you put it in the flickr group on the right-hand side bar?
I LOVE this! Thanks.
LOVE!! It’s so simple and pretty!! I love the color you chose too! Thanks!!
This is amazing. I think as a beginning sewer I may actually be able to accomplish this. Your tutorial is fantastic. 🙂
Jess @ The Delightful Crafter
I love this dress and I think it’s one of those that looks even better in real life than it does in the photos.
-liZ
I love this dress and I think it’s one of those that looks even better in real life than it does in the photos.
-liZ
I love this! So simple and I would totally wear this!
OMGosh!! That looks so comfy! THANK YOU!! I am definitely making 1 or 10…. 😉
http://stacysewsandschools.wordpress.com/
MADE AND LOOKS like the caftans I wore back in the late 60s and 70s.. like wearing a tent.. very comfy.. hide a multitude of sins. GREAT FOR HOME WARE….. I do hope they will not be worn in stores and on the streets again. I would look like very one was in their pjs.
NONNIE
Just call me old fashion, I miss the days ladies wore dress in public.
This is great, going to look for some fabric this weekend 😀 thanks so much for sharing.
WOMEN POWER AT WORK!! Great job. If we have women run the government, I do not think we would be in the mess we are today.
Can you explain the part where you fold it width wise for the neck whole. I guess I am not understanding why you folded it.
E Arts….I fold it in half width-wise for the neck hole for two reasons. First to find the exact center of the caftan and also to make sure the neckhole is even on both sides.
(If you cut it on the fold, your neckhole will be even on both sides.)
Hope that helpe!
E Arts….I fold it in half width-wise for the neck hole for two reasons. First to find the exact center of the caftan and also to make sure the neckhole is even on both sides.
(If you cut it on the fold, your neckhole will be even on both sides.)
Hope that helpe!
This is so cute and easy! I am going to make more then one to take to the beach! Thanks for sharing!
glosews
Love it!
I want to make this tonight! Will you please explain step 4, though? What exactly is the “right side”?
Brenda,
If your fabric has a print (on the front and not on the back) it has a “right side” and a “wrong side”—when you sew step 4 you want the “right sides” (the side with the print) facing each other. When you sew you will be looking at the “wrong sides.”
If your knit is a solid….you don’t need to worry about “right sides” or “wrong sides.”
Brenda,
If your fabric has a print (on the front and not on the back) it has a “right side” and a “wrong side”—when you sew step 4 you want the “right sides” (the side with the print) facing each other. When you sew you will be looking at the “wrong sides.”
If your knit is a solid….you don’t need to worry about “right sides” or “wrong sides.”
Oh Yea!!! I am going to make several of these. Thanks for showing me how easy it can be!
Oh my… Saw this on Facebook yesterday and fell in love with it! I ended up on crutches yesterday as well but I have a wedding to attend tomorrow. I did not think what I had planned to wear tomorrow wouldn’t work with crutches. This is excellent! I used tube knit (I don’t know what else it call it) so it cut out the side seams. I made two in about 11/2 hours.
This is so cute. I do embroidery and I have some lace necklines so I’m going to do one with one of those. Thank you so much for sharing.
Many Blessings
Terri
This is a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.
Is there no hem and no armhole facings or neckline facings?
I’m also a beginner sewer and though I’ve made a few dresses I can see this is going to be so simple to make. I also haven’t tried shirring yet so this is going to be my first shirred project!
In ancient Rome, this was called a tunica.
http://goo.gl/FDC8v
Love this! Just added to my favorites. Hope to be making a few very soon!
Wow!! Wow!
Just became your newest follower, (you have so many!) and you’ve inspired me to get off my duff and start sewing again! Going down to the LA District with my daughter in law next time she’s out!
Thank you for sharing – I’m really excited to have found your site!
Blessings,
Donna
When you pick the knit fabric you want to use for this dress, be sure you pick a DOUBLE knit. Single knit fabric will “curl” across the cuts at the top and bottom of the dress. Don’t be discouraged, however, if you just fall in love with a single knit fabric. You can still make the same dress but you’ll need to do some kind of neckline and hem treatment to tame the “curl”. To keep “stretch” in the neckline, you might consider applying a strip of coordnated swimsuit knit …or you could just cut a strip of self fabric to apply, turn under, top-stitch, and trim close to the topstitching so the “excess” inside is never going to roll or peek out.
So cute! Have some knit fabric I was wondering what in the world I would do with it…now I know, without a doubt.
Thanks!
AMEN……EVEN WITH ALL THE PROGRESS WE’VE MADE FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE BOARDROOM, THEY (THE GOOD OLE BOYS) STILL BELIEVE WE WE CAN’T HACK IT! SERIOUSLY, WE NEED TO GET A WOMAN IN THERE COME 2016……….
Went out today and bought fabric to make two. Was looking for additional colors, like a nice Tomato Red, Burnt Orange or Rust Knit, since I intend to make about 5. Will let you know.
Great advise; Thank you.
Me too, Nonnie……
If you do want to make a neck facing and hems, I am working on a cotton one and will show you how to do that soon!
If you do want to make a neck facing and hems, I am working on a cotton one and will show you how to do that soon!
Yea! I bought some sarongs in Mexico and the Caribbean and will use your pattern to make some swimsuit coverups out of them. Thanks so much!!!
AMEN,and AMEN!!
So sorry about the crutches! Hope you have a quick recovery and enjoy the wedding!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Where did you find the knit material?
I wonder if a cotton blend would work as well.
Great job btw.
Where did you find knit fabric? Its kind of hard to find. At least it has been for me.
I like the idea of using clothes to make patterns.
What do you make your patters on?
by the way, great job.
Rhyanna
So super cute! I am going to go look for some knit fabric today! Great idea!
Hannah
handiworkbyhannah.blogspot.com
Did you sew the neckline nd arm holes? Sorry, I am a beginner.
Yanique,
If you use an interlock (or knit) fabric—you don’t have to sew the neck or arm holes. Knit will roll a bit (mine have rolled to the insides which is perfect!) so you don’t have to.
I am showing a cotton one soon and will show you how to hem the neck and arms if you want to.
Yanique,
If you use an interlock (or knit) fabric—you don’t have to sew the neck or arm holes. Knit will roll a bit (mine have rolled to the insides which is perfect!) so you don’t have to.
I am showing a cotton one soon and will show you how to hem the neck and arms if you want to.
Wow, it’s so easy & looks so great! Thanks for the tutorial, I can make this dress as maternity dress.
Thanks for the tutorial! I made it and am really pleased with how it turned out. I blogged about it here: http://willyount.blogspot.com/2012/07/sewing-for-me.html.
I am a TOTAL newbie at sewing but even I THINK that I just might be able to do this. I do, however, have a question. I don’t totally understand what you mean when, in your instructions, you write, “Now cut two rectangles to these two measurements.” Could you please clarify that for me? I understand which measurements you’re referring to but I don’t quite follow the cutting the rectangle part. Thanks! Michele
(PS- I’m also kinda new at posting and/or receiving comments,too. So could you possibly reply to my question via my email? It’s lotsokittycats@gmail.com. Thanks again!)
Thanks for this tutorial! I love it, it will be great for me as I am pregnant and it can allow for my belly!
I assume the shirring is done right around and not just at the front??
And would it still work the same if I used one long rectangle, folded it and cut the neck hole, instead of sewing two rectangles together and cutting the neck hole…or would it sit funny??
Thanks again!
I am going to try this soon…
This looks like a neat project. Do you mind if I pin it up on Pinterest? I’m keeping track of the projects I want to tackle that way, and hey, it means others will come and see it too :).
I am a true beginner. I haven’t made anything yet but this seems like its simple enough to be my first. I have been watching several tutorials and considering classes but in Atlanta the classes are very expensive. Hoping for a little luck with this ..thanks for detailed instructions.
This is awesome. Thanks so much for sharing.
Amazing tutorial! So easy to follow! Saw this, this morning, went to the store and found knits on sale 50% off! Bought 3 different colors, came home, had a completed caftan in under an hour! I got my 3 year old’s approval with a simple, “it’s pretty!” Quick, easy, beautiful! Thanks!
Just finished making my second one. Can’t wait to wear it for date night tonight. It’s actually my first time wearing a belt too.
I just found your site and I am loving it! LOVING IT! I can’t wait to make this dress!
just stumbled upon your blog and am so excited!!! such cute ideas and they don’t seem to hard so I’m not intimidated. Thanks!!! xoxox
Wonderful! Thanks for the detailed and graphic instructions. Makes it a lot easier to follow. I suspect i’m going to make about 5!
Going to be planning and sewing my next summer wardrobe this winter and definitely going to make a few of these only shorter for every day wear around the house. Love dresses in the summer, so much cooler. Thank you for the tutorial. Take care.
I am going to make this double thick and reversible for winter weight. Thanks for the brilliant pattern!
Instead of cutting and sewing it at the top, over the shoulders, could you just leave it folded in half, and cut out the neck hole –therefore having no shoulder seams?
What if I wanted to make it long sleeved? Any idea on how I would go about that? And also how about fitted sleeves? Thank you. Been wanting a caftan but to purchase and pay shipping it winds up being at least $75!!
cute lovely and smart. im sewing it!
Instead of shirring, how about a few rows of clear elastic. It will help me keep the material belted in evenly.
Do you think this would do well in a woven? Going to St. Lucia in Caribbean and trying to put together a quick new wardrobe.
This is wonderful. Thank you so much! I was searching for a caftan tutorial for absolute beginners. I’m so not into sewing but I wanted to stitch a caftan. This tutorial was really easy to understand and is perfect for me. Thanks again. 🙂
This is perfect for the summer! Love the color you chose!
Thanks!
This only works on solid fabric. If you have a contrasting weave or print it will be upside down on the back. The two rectangles are so the fabric is right-side up on both front and back. If you want to match the print you also need to get extra so you can cut the second rectangle near the pattern repeat.
Just made a this dress in less than 2 hours!! My next task will be to make a shorter one!! Thank you so much! This is so great and easy to do!!
There is so much you can do with this pattern, It is years old. Use your imagination, try changing out colors and patterns. Make it your style and have fun with it!!!
I just bought a sewing machine, and haven’t even turned it on. But this is definitely going to be my first project. Thank you for the great tutorial.
Thank you so much for the great tutorial, this is going to be my first sewing project ever.
merci
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/review/readreview.pl?ID=486
Please check out link above. It explains how to use clear elastic to stabilize necklines. It is very easy and works great.
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/review/readreview.pl?ID=486
Check out link above. It explains how to stabilize necklines on knits using lightweight clear elastic.
Most knits don’t fray so it’s not needed. You could forward fold over or do facings if you want. Or even edge it on a server or with an edging stitch.
Has anyone tried this with Joann’s Jet Set Knit? It’s on sale but I have no experience with the fabric or it’s texture.
How many yards for a womans dress like the orange one shown?
Super easy to follow directions. I am a very recent beginner and this was simple and looks good. Thank you!
I want to pin this post on my board but i don’t know how to do it 🙁
Its the piece with the brighter color or the nicer side. Basically the one you want facing out. Like right and wrong.
nice dress and i will make one I have lots of fabric to sew up oh and my mother she love dresses and I am trying to get her to wear long ones.
This is GREAT! I’m 6 feet tall and a dress like this from a specialist shop would cost me between 60 and a 100 quid. The fabric’s going to cost me £5.50 and the design suits my ‘straight lines only’ comedy sewing skills. Fabulous! Thank you!
I am not in the best terms with a sewing machine, but this one I could try. It is so nice.
Love this. I am definitely going to have to give it a try. Thanks for the tutorial.
I’ve been looking all over for a pattern that would work with a costume I’m making for Halloween. Although the sleeves aren’t quite long enough, it’ll be perfect for my costume and who cares about sleeve length anyway? It’s still 60 in October here and I know I’ll definitely be comfortable wearing this around school. Thank you so much!
Love this. I will be doing a couple of them.
I think this would be beautiful in very light weight summer fabric, worn with linen trousers and sandals…will be making for next summer. thank you.
Wow! Just found this tutorial. These are what I need to wear around the house instead of the very comfy, but VERY thin fabric, more than I wanted to pay, lounge dresses I got a couple of months ago.
Leave it to me to WAY over think this but is the 22″ you referenced for you or for a child? My eight year old is measuring 19″ so I’m a bit nervous my sizing is wrong. Thanks!
I make one of these and on thing that i noticed is that if you are larger chested you need to measure in front instead of the back to compensate. Not doing this shortened the arms and the overall length considerably. I will try again because i love the look of that dress so much. 🙂
I’ve made one of these today, but can’t seem to find the link to the Flickr group…?
I want to make a version of this for a wedding I’ll be attending in a few weeks. Do you have any tips on how to accommodate a baby bump? I’m only 5 months pregnant so I’m not too big yet and I’m planning to use a charmeuse fabric.
Even I could do it and I’m 11 years of age!!!!
By far the the best tutorial. I am obsessed!! Thank you!
It’s lovely & you are really a good teacher. would you please tell me how long(in meter) fabric I should use for my ankle hight dress? My hight is 5’3″.
Your fabric is very nice. which type of fabric is this?
Please reply me soon. I am keen interested to know this…
I just made my first dress using your instructions and I absolutely love the result! Made it short because my fabric had a pattern on the edge and I wanted to use it on the bottom of the dress. Will make more for sure, thanks for this great tutorial!
I love it, not only is it easy, but it is beautiful in such a simple manner, I am going to make me some, but for all seasons, as you can wear turtle necks or other long sleeve shirts under it along with leggings to keep your legs warm, and you can hide my fat in them and still look like a lady, I live on steroids and I have gone from a size 8 all the way up past 2xx, it is ugly and heart breaking, and there is not one thing I can do about it, because they are keeping me alive. When I can, I love going to church, and I can make me some of these and look feminine and feel better about myself, I know its something I need to get over, but I have not found out how you do that. thank you, and GOD bless you for sharing your gift of sewing with others.
You have inspired me to make these for this summer for me be my girls! I inherited a bin full of fabric and have been dying lol to make something with them. Thank you for your simple tutorial!!! I can’t wait to get started!!
Love this! Did you finish the arm and neck holes?
I wondered about the exact same thing.
This reminds me of the “Butterfly Dress” published in the Chicago Tribune in the 70’s! So simple and easy. Could it be made by just folding the length of fabric in half at the should line and then proceeding?
CAT
Hi! I want to use this design for a formal event. I’m not a very experienced sewer but I want to use a glossy fabric. I was thinking crepe-back satin, georgette, chiffon, or viscose. Which would you recommend? I also want to add a bit of lace on the top as an overlay for the bodice. Any advice?
Great! Also, do you have any tips on making a belt? My girth is hard to find in ready-made, but I’d like to wear them!
Thank you!
Barb
Many thanks! This is a great and simple set of instructions for a great and simple garment.
One thing tho, I wish there was a picture of the back of the kaftan after the shirring.
Is the shirring only in the front?
I love this caftan made with with high side slits belted over pants. I’ve also made sleeves by using wider width fabric and cutting/hemming a ‘t’shape to narrow the body. The neck, I tinkered with to get a nice V-neck.
A friend made one the same way but with a deeper ‘V’ in front and back and definitely shorter than I’d wear–but it looks great on her!
It’s amazing the amount of looks that can come from this pattern that will look good on any body and go anywhere– conservative to sexy. Thanks!!
How did you finish the neck after cutting out? also did you just hem the sleeves and bottom? I would like to make this only shorter for a top .