A caftan is very easy to make, I've been making them for years in various styles in all different types of fabrics and today I have launched my first easy to follow video tutorial showing you how to make a simple one for yourself (isn't that awesome guys?!). And you are going to love my model above there, she was so easy to work with and smiled every step of the way through each shot/clip and never once complained.
The caftan or kaftan (spelled this way too) has been around for centuries worn by both men and women. This precious vintage garment is a part of history for many nationalities and cultures.
pic from alibaba.com
And within the caftan you will find the abaya...or is it the other way around? And like the abaya, they can be pretty pricey when made with high quality fabrics and adornments.
Idunno, but I have wanted to do a tutorial on how to make a simple one for a long while now and never had the time until now to pull it all together.
What I like most about them is that they are modest in nature leaving a lot to imagination. Heck, the caftan has saved women all over the world (including myself) a-many-a-day... look, you could be in your hair rollers, with one eye open (the other one crumb-shut), half asleep trying to cook an egg and still you look all sexy and alluring (and you're clearly NOT)cause that caftan was worked up in a soft flowy fabric (right or wrong?)
I don't like to brag, but currently in my pattern-possession I have quite a few caftan patterns like this chic number from Vogue
(I actually have 2 of these babies...I should give one away here shouldn't I?...what ya think?) and
This lovely one from yesteryear I just snagged online a few weeks ago.
pic borrowed from here
Caftans are on the rise these days, but remember when they were downgraded to "moo-moo status" for a minute? Oh that was horrible, especially in the 90's..But thanks to re-runs, Mrs. Roper who always rocked hers with style back in the 70's, helped show off this garment's versatility and kept it's head above the water.
Okay, enough from me and my chatty self, let's get to the cute tute and if you guys make one, I want a pic to share (pretty please :))
I'm Linking up here:
11 Valuable thoughts:
Nice! I'm definitely going to try this! Thanks for sharing:D
@odetoinspiration, great! Thank you! :)
This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you on my blog:)
This is so beautiful! I gave up on sewing years ago and for some reason I've been wanting to try it again...
I am a new visitor and follower via Crazed Fans...
I think I could rock that look for summer! Thanks.
@Sanghamitra, thank you, you're blog is really awesome (beautiful pics).
@Doreen, Thanks, and also for stopping by :)
@Urbandon, I can so see you doing something fabulous and unexpected with the versatility of this design.
I'm so glad I saw this on Craft-O-Maniac. I've been looking for Barbie patterns. Thanks for the inspiration!
@Crafty Mischief, Thanks so much for stopping by and viewing (I'm hopping over to your site now). The method I used for making a simple caftan can be for anyone (including Barbie lol). All you'll need are the 3 measurements listed in the video and the options are endless on a simple caftan design...have fun :D
I've been wanting to make my own kaftan and found your video on youtube to be the most useful. So i'm very thankful. Thank you!
I've been able to follow the instructions you gave but I'm still not sure on how to make the sleeves neat like you did on yours.
I dont want my sleeves to be the flare and wide ones but I want to make buttoned sleeves. So do I have to sew from the wrist and just continue till the sewing of the side hems?
Hi and thank you for viewing my tutorial and so happy you've found it useful!
To answer your question, in most instances, yes you would sew from the wrist and continue down the side seams; however, the caftan is a very versatile garment with endless fashion options. You can also add cuffs that button or add snaps at the wrist that will taper it. I will explain in more detail next post and try to give as many illustrations as I can on this (stay tuned). Hope this helps, but please feel free to ask me more questions I don't mind :)
Fantastic Kaftan thank you!
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