Monday, October 27, 2008

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!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You could use 3557 but modify it by changing arm length and width, make it ankle length and add a slit up the front side. Please post a photo of you in your creation, I would LOVE to see it!

lady jicky said...

Oh hell, now I want a kaftan. It was that picture of La Liz that did it!

Petunia said...

I love the Caftan look! Just be aware that the LillyP one, while beautiful, is also very sheer. :)

CashmereLibrarian said...

Kelli: yes I think that could work! Now to find fabric...
Lady Jicky: Yes but if you get a caftan a la Liz then you need a Richard Burton too...
Petunia: Thanks for the heads-up! I knew it was cotton lawn, but I hadn't seen it in person and was not expecting it to be so thin. Good to know should I get lucky on eBay...

Anonymous said...

I prefer to get fabric from Joann to make a nice caftan.

BW said...

I have a brand new w/tags Lilly P Kate Caftan size Large that I would be willing to part with. Retail is $268. How about $150 ? I saw your post. This is so glamorous --BW

CashmereLibrarian said...

BW--thanks, but this season I actually treated myself to Lilly's Colebrook caftan! So I'm good to go, butu thanks for the offer~!

Paula said...

Hi: Love the photos you posted. Here are some links I discovered to make caftans:

http://sca.berkeley.edu/garment_pattern/persian_outer_caftan.html

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/how-to-sew-a-simple-caftan

http://wkdesigner.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/caftan/