Creating a Glamourous Caftan--At Home

Harper's Bazaar November 2003

I realize this is an odd post for the end of October, but I have all winter to gather plans and look for fabric...

I want to make a caftan. I can't afford the Michael Kors or Allegra Hicks caftans that I covet, but I can sew, and it should be an easy thing to make, right?

Ok. So the look I'm going for is Liz Taylor, cigarette in one hand, martini in the other. The theme from " A Man and a Woman" or Astrid Gilberto singing "A Girl from Ipanema" plays in the background. Maybe I'm in Acapulco, maybe I'm poolside at the Club. Comfortable, and gorgeous.

Harper's Bazaar November 2007

Michael Kors created a lovely silk caftan for his 2008 Resort Collection (also pictured, in print, above). It might be a little precious for lounging around Nowhere, Illinois, but then who cares? I could wear it to the Farmer's Market with my Birkenstocks (just kidding).


I also like this Lilly Pulitzer Kate Caftan. I'm currently watching ebay for this beauty (significantly under retail, of course).

So anyway, have any of my readers made something like this? It's hard to find a useful pattern for this; so far I am considering Simplicity 4190, Simplicity 3557 or Butterick B5015. None of these quite provide the look I seek but I suppose I could "make it work" if I find the right fabric. Speaking of which. Where I live I have access to Hancock fabrics or JoAnn Fabrics. So I would appreciate any references to online retailers who sell pretty cottons or silk for dressmaking!