How to Sew a Super Easy Caftan Dress

If you possess a basic working knowledge of a sewing machine, you can make this attractive, casual caftan dress. And there is no need to purchase an expensive pattern!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing Machine
• Fabric
• Thread
• Scissors

1. Purchase a length of fabric in your choice of weight, design, and color. Fabric can be any width from 36 to 60 inches, according to your body shape and overall girth. **The width of the fabric, front and back, will become the size of the caftan AROUND your body. Fabric that is 45 inches wide would accommodate an average body size.
   
   Lightweight cottons work great, but if you want something billowy and filmy, this design is fantastic for that, also.
   
   For an ankle length caftan, length should be *TWICE* the measurement from the top of your shoulders to the top of your foot. Vary where the bottom falls according to your preference, allowing for approximately a one-half inch hem.

2. 
    

   Fold material in half across the width, so that the fold will comprise the span across the shoulders.
   
   *See Diagram (Click picture for enlarged details)

3. The only cutting required is for length and for the neck opening.
   
   For the neck, measure to find the center of the fold. Cut a wide narrow, centered opening, high for the back and lower for the front neckline. *See diagram. Slip over your head to get desired size and shape of opening. Allow for bordering edge seam along the neckline.

4. For a squared bottom, simply cut still-folded fabric straight across the bottom.
   
   If you prefer a slightly rounded bottom edge, with fabric still folded, edges together, trim either lower side into a curved edge. *See diagram for each style.

5. Unfold the length of fabric. For a smooth edge around the entire form, fold under a narrow hem, along the entire border of the material. *See diagram. Sew hem using a fairly tight stitch for durability.

6. Sew the neckline in one of two ways. Fold under the edges, doubling the fold, and sew. Or, use seam binding or bias tape. Sew binding or tape onto edge, fold under and sew flat.

7. For side seams, place fabric right sides together, with the shoulders forming the fold again. Allow enough room for your arms to fit comfortably.
   
   Begin sewing at the edge of the armhole. Make a horizontal seam approximately one to one and a half inches in, backstitching at the beginning of the seam.

8. Rotate the material so that you can sew a vertical seam straight down the side of the caftan. At the lower edge of each side of the caftan, allow a kick-split to be left as high as you want it. Stop your seam at that height and backstitch for strength.
   
   *Do not sew a horizontal seam across the bottom of your side seam. This side seam will form a double open edge to lend shape and form to the garment.

9. Add patch pockets, if desired, in matching or contrasting fabric.

10. Wear your new caftan in comfort AND style!

Tips & Warnings

• Bright, multihued and lavishly patterned fabric adds flair and personality to your caftan.
• This design can also be used to make a caftan shirt, by simply shortening the length.
• Wider material adds length to the arms of your caftan, as well as girth.
• I double fold the hem all around the caftan, about one-fourth inch for each fold. This requires no pinning or measuring, simply fold over twice and sew.
• Press the folds for ease of sewing, if you like.
• If you just DESPISE hemming, you can fray the edges of your fabric, or purchase fabric that frays naturally. Another alternative would be to overstitch the edges of your fabric.
• The completed caftan dress will retain the same shape when you hold your arms straight out to the sides, as it does lying flat on a surface (a rectangle), but will drape nicely on your body.
• Pre-wash fabric to prevent shrinking after sewing