How to Make Caftan Dresses

Caftan dresses are flowy, airy and perfect for going to the beach or pool in hot weather.

Making a caftan dress is a fun and easy activity you can do to make your wardrobe unique and project your sense of style. You can make an all original caftan dress according to your measurements for the hotter days of the year, whether you are shopping, lounging by the pool or going to a party.

Things You'll Need

• 1 1/2 -to- 3 yards fabric, depending on your height and the desired length of your dress
• Fabric scissors
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Fabric marker
• Measuring tape
• Fabric pins

Instructions

1. Measure the length from the top of your shoulder down to where you want the caftan dress to end.

2. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and place it on a large flat workplace. Lay down your measuring tape on the folded cloth starting from the folded end. Mark the required length with a fabric marker. Leave an inch for hemming allowances.

3. Measure the circumference of your bust, waist and hips. Divide each of your measurements by two and write this information on a piece of paper.

4. Mark the measurements you have written in the middle of the fabric with your fabric marker. Join the lines to create a figure on the fabric. You don't to be too precise about your measurements as a caftan dress is usually loose rather than fitted.

5. Measure the depth of your desired neckline in the back and front. Also measure the distance from the top of your shoulder to the bottom of your armpit.

6. Mark the measurements for your neckline and arms on the fabric with the fabric marker. Allow one inch in the neckline for hemming allowances.

7. Determine the sleeve length you want. Mark this distance from the figure you drew on the fabric. Leave an inch for hemming allowance.

8. Put fabric pins in the fabric along all the lines you have drawn. Turn the fabric inside out.

9. Sew along the lines of the figure only, starting from the bottom. Stop before you reach the length you marked where your armpit ends.

10. Cut out the fabric in the neckline. Also cut off the extra fabric along the line you drew to mark the length of your sleeves.

11. Hem the caftan dress along the bottoms of the caftan, the sleeves and the neckline. Be sure to leave slits for your arms to go through.

12. Reinforce all your stitches.

13. Remove the fabric pins from the dress. Turn it inside out and it is ready to wear.

References

• Middle Sex Health And Life.com; DIY Project: How To Make A Kaftan Dress Or Beach Coverup From Two Scarves; Naomi Imatome; Apr 2011
• Peggy Strickland; How to Sew a Super Easy Caftan Dress; Peggy Strickland; May 2011