. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Summer voile caftan - kaftan tutorial


Skopelos summer vacation 2013

As you may noticed on some of the vacation pictures, there is a nice, blue kaftan that I managed to sew just the day before our departure to Skopelos.
In the fabric goodie box that I received from the Art gallery fabrics there were two 2yds pieces of theirs gorgeous voile fabrics.

Skopelos summer vacation 2013

The first one is: V-114 Fashionable Azure (used for the tiered dress) and the other one is  V-118 Branch Silhouette Blue (used for this kaftan).

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

AGF voile is 100% PIMA Cotton, 52/53" (133 cm) wide with a soft, sheer touch and an elegant, lightweight drape that will have you melting away with its exceptional hand. It's just perfect for the garment sewing, especially for the summer projects!!

summer beach kaftan

The first little tutorial from this summer voile sewing series is for the shabby flower pin that you may noticed as a great little accessory on the kaftan. I separated them in 2 tutorials, as the flower pin don't need any sewing machine or sewing skills at all, it's an easy crafty project that can be done even with the voile scraps, while the kaftan requires sewing machine.


Kaftan tutorial

Kaftans or caftans are perfect as beach coverup, poolside or cruise wear, but can be also nice as everyday wardrobe.

Skopelos summer vacation 2013

Skopelos summer vacation 2013 This project (thanks to the voile's width) allows flattering generous fit and suits all adult (and almost adult) sizes. The pics I took of the same kaftan are shown on a teenager (my older daughter) and adult (me) .


It uses fabric completely, and the only "scrap" or remnant is the head hole (and I used that fabric triangle to make a small matching scrappy flower for my sun heat;) .

The scrappy flower is made just by folding random cut pieces in fourths and layering them one over another, gathering and embellishing them with some beads.




Skopelos summer vacation 2013

TIP: You can eventually change the length of the kaftan by adding more yardage (mine is made with 2yds of fabric, so by adding additional 1/2 yds to 1 yds you can have it in longer style, like a maxi dress, which would be perfect for maybe older women.
You can also easily adjust this project for toddlers, by cutting the voile's width (just cut it after measuring your girl from wrist to wrist, standing with open arms). Or even for yourself, if you want it to have shorter "sleeves". Larger the width is, longer the length of the sleeves will be. You will need twice your desired length (calculating front and back sides) + calculate an inch or two more for the seams.

Determine your preferable width and length using the following picture:


Looking at that picture above in comparison with the initial following picture of the fabric used for this project will maybe help you understand determination of the lengths/widths. As you may notice immediately, the finished kaftan gained only the head hole shape (V neckline in this case), finished hems and 2 button holes to insert the drawstring and the drawstring (to look more appealing).
It's an very easy project, so let's get started!

Summer voile kaftan tutorial


Needed supplies:

- 2 - 3 yds of cotton voile fabric
I used the gorgeous voile fabrics from Art Gallery fabrics that are great for this project (the quality and the weight are just perfect)
-small piece of the matching single fold bias cotton binding -approx. 30" (for the neckline)
if you have enough fabric, you can make the bias tape from the same fabric see : HERE  how, and that will give you even the better results! The V angle will not tend to twist and fold, if made with lighter weight bias binding!
- sewing machine
- scissors and/or roller
- thread, needle (size 9 sharp needle is the best choice for voile sewing as well as Aurifil thread in 40 or 50W)
- iron and pins

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

We saw that the voile generous width (distance from selvage to selvage) is 52/53".
So after determining your desired length and width, cut the fabric.
I used 2 yds of it's length -72" and it's full width - 53/54".
Finished size of my kaftan is 34"(length) x 48"(width) .

kaftan sewing

Place your piece of the voile fabric on the cutting surface, folded lengthwise.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Cut off the selvedges and use these 2 tiny strips for the shabby flower pin.
You will need to cut additional one or two 1-1 1/2" strips, as you will need to sew the drawstring with them.  
(Eventually you can even use some other ribbon for that drawstring, without making it from the same fabric).

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

I have cut 2 of these strips and got a very very long drawstring, so cutting only one is more than enough.

Now fold the fabric in half width wise (to find the center) and cut out the neck opening that is 5 x 1" like shown on the picture.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

So this is what we have as far, but now we need to obtain the desired head hole. It can be round shape, boat shape etc., but I chose the V neck shape.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

So draw on the piece of simple paper the triangle that is 10 x 8". That will be the head opening hole.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Carefully, cut it on the fabric.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Now we need to bind it - finish the opening with the bias binding and that may be the only "tricky" part of this easy project.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Summer voile kaftan tutorial If you round a bit your V angle, it may be easier to apply the bias binding nicely. You can eventually use THIS Burda's tutorial or apply it like I did.
Don't cut the bias binding until you finish pinning!

Starting from the center of the back, pin your bias binding tape to the opening hole, right sides together. You can place one pin to the center of the back, it will help you with orientation.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Fold the beginning of the binding inside. Pin all around carefully. Place the end of the binding tape over the beginning point (start of the binding).

Summer voile kaftan tutorial Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Once you are done with pinning, stitch around the neckline. Sew along the first fold of the tape.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Once you have the bias tape sewn to the neckline, you just need to fold it inside and finish sewing.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Summer voile kaftan tutorial Summer voile kaftan tutorial

You can use the iron to press it nicely toward the inside of the kaftan.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Make sure that the binding tape is not peeping on the other right side of the kaftan.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Pin and stitch it all over.


Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Now, finish the hems: double fold and stitch the edges, all around - all 4 fabric edges.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

So, at this point, the neckline is done and the edges are finished.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

caftan

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Now, we only need to sew 2 straight line - seams with the buttonholes.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

With the fabric marker or pencil or anything that you normally use to draw on the fabric, draw 2 straight lines on each side of the kaftan,  starting 15" away from the upper (shoulder) edge of the kaftan. This 15" space will be the arms opening. You can eventually leave even more space, if you might need it.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

The lines (and the seams) should be approx. 10" distant from both lateral edges.
For plus sizes, I suggest making them a bit closer to the edges, allowing more comfort.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Sew these 2 seams, starting from the bottom edge, finishing them with a buttonhole stitch.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Summer voile kaftan tutorial Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

With the cutting knife, make the holes.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Now we only need to make the drawstring to go through these 2 button holes.

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

To make the drawstring, you can either use the bias binding tool(like I did) and than press it lengthwise and stitch or you can fold the strip in half lengthwise and iron it, then open and press both sides toward the center crease, press center crease close again and stitch

Summer voile kaftan tutorial Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Just insert the drawstring through the holes and you are ready to go!

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

Don't forget to attach the shabby flower pin as the detail somewhere if you made it:)

Summer voile kaftan tutorial

summer beach kaftan summer beach kaftan

Skopelos summer vacation 2013

Skopelos summer vacation 2013
Skopelos summer vacation 2013

Skopelos summer vacation 2013

Skopelos summer vacation 2013

Skopelos summer vacation 2013

Skopelos summer vacation 2013

31 comments :

Katarina said...

Thank you so much for your comment and so glad to hear that you may need one as well!!:)
I am loving mine so much!!!:)
Happy sewing:))

Unknown said...

I would like to thank you for sharing this kind of beautiful post. Through this post we know how to kaftans made. I'm really enjoying to read this post.

Unknown said...

I LOVE this so so much!!! I want one!!!!!!!!!!!

Katarina said...

Thanks Sophia and Frances for your comments:) So glad you like this!:)

Elizabeth said...

Beautifully-written tutorial. I just finished mine. Just wanted to let folks know that the pattern, as is, works through a size 14/E-cup. Lovely one-size pattern and I'm making 3 more. So easy and flattering. I'm getting a bias-tape-maker for the other 3 as I wasn't thrilled with the store-bought tape, but with the sheer fabric, I thought it would be easier since it couldn't be ironed easily.

Katarina said...

Elizabeth, thank you so much for the really awesome feedback!!! So happy to know that you like it and that you will sewing more of these, it was my favourite wardrobe piece for the last summer and I am looking forward making some more too!!!:)

Tasty Destination said...

That dress is so gorgeous! I am excited to try this using your tutorial. I found almost the same dress fabrics online.

Barbara G. said...

I have a bunch of sari's. Was thinking about using them to make flora length kaftans.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting blog post, good job and thanks for sharing such a good blog.
Voile Fabric

Robert Morgan said...

Nice blog post If you are searching for the quality Buy kaftan dress for women Buy kaftan dress for women, kaftan tops, cotton kaftan, silk kaftan, beach kaftan at best price at Myntra.Kaftan Dresses and are perfect for effortless, instant summer style. On hot Australian summer days, cool down in a snap.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Post! Through this post we know how to made Kaftan Abaya. Thanks for sharing with us.

unityblog said...

Great post!! Latest fashion trends, the kaftans have invaded the foreign markets becoming a huge collection in the beach outfits as well as in the formal occasions.
For new kaftan dresses, I would like to suggest go for Komal Trading who are offering a mind-blowing kaftan dresses Australia, short kaftan dress & plus size kaftans Australia that comes in a vibrant colors and designs. Komal Trading is the best online store for women to buy fashionable clothes and trendy accessories.

selena montana said...

If you are looking for a stylish, fashionable yet appropriate Hijab for you then you can find a lot of them being sold abaya and burqa. And the good thing about them is that they are super affordable and very easy to wear.

Susan Demilo said...

Diya Online: Buy Asian clothing for Women, Men, Girls and Boys online Shop exclusive Asian clothing online for Men, Women, Girls and Boys for every occasion at Diya Online. Choose from our exquisite collection of Shalwar Suits, Embroidered Sarees, Kurtas, Shawls, Petite Dresses and much more. ✯International Shipping ✯Ship to Shop Available ✯Easy Returns.

Ben William said...

This stuff is so cool and beautiful. Vero Beach Tutoring I will try this Summer voile caftan - kaftan tutorial to make some stylish stuff

Jenyford smith said...

I have found so many interesting thing in your blog and I really love that. Bethesda Tutoring Keep up the good work!

Jenyford smith said...

Its wonderful blog really very nice site and blog facility.every title is very nice and very fatastic concept.Windermere Tutoring Thanks for sharing the information.

petercohen090 said...

Really great work. I am really glad to read this post. Very descriptive and helpful for kaftans online. Thanks for sharing.

Jenyford smith said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
theboozybutton said...

this is a very useful tutorial you can find
kaftans online on our website,

Alexa Amelia said...

Great share! keep sharing informative and valuable posts we are getting good information from your blog.
organic cotton t shirt uk

AffordableMag said...

I really enjoyed reading this post, I always appreciate topics like this being discussed to us.
best offset smoker grill combo

TheboozyButton said...

i really enjoyed reading this post. i always appreciate topics like this being discussed to us best pink banarasi kaftan

Soniya Sharma said...

Are you looking for kaftans for women India? We are here to offer you best Buy kaftans online at affordable rates. kaftans for women India.

Alexa Amelia said...

Excellent information you have shared, thanks for taking the time to share with us such a great article. I really appreciate your work printed kaftan

ameliaalexa said...

Extremely educational post! This post gives really quality data. I'm now done it and observe that this post is truly amazing. Much obliged to you for this brief explanation and very nice information. Know about Window glass replacement Vancouver.

kaleem said...

I am very satisfied with your post. Thanks for sharing! You can also visit my post.
Magnetic Door Lock

800fixing said...

thank you for sharing, it is a very useful post.
MacBook Battery Replacement

Harry said...

it is a very useful post. thanks for sharing
Driving Instructor Dagenham

Chums Rubbish Clearance said...

The post is written in very a good manner and it contains many useful information.
Rubbish Removal Wandsworth

Laptop Repair Dubai said...

This blog is really good to get something. Love to get more this type of information further.
Also we have a tech company in Dubai. if anytime anyone will need any type of tech support just connect with laptop repair dubai.