There are only 8 days between me and my spring vacation and I can only think about two things: things I want to make to take; and things I want to take to make. You know what I mean! Today let’s focus on the first part: making to take. We’re road tripping to my sister’s house in Florida (our favorite home away from home!) and rumor has it that, weather permitting, we may be sneaking in a little weekend jaunt to the Bahamas on their boat. I bought this length of retro/hipster/ethnic tropical print fabric from Ikea a few weeks ago, and now all I want to do is make some sort of Mrs. Roper-worthy ankle-length caftan out of it for this and future Florida trips. The sort of thing you throw on upon arrival and don’t take off until you head home. You know, wear it barefoot on the boat, with Saltwaters on the dock, and trade up to nicer sandals for dinner in some beach hut restaurant. I’m slightly torn over whether to keep it ultra basic — wide and boatnecked — like this Craftsy tutorial, or to model it more on my beloved Harper Tunics from Elizabeth Suzann (which I scored at her sample sale), with some shoulder slope and an actual neckhole. Or maybe a nice deep V-neck? If you have a favorite caftan pattern, let me know!
Photos: Hat from J.Crew; Saltwater Sandals from Zappos
Lotta Jansdotter’s Everyday Style has a great caftan on the cover! And the pattern inside to sew it.
Really like the Harper Tunic, more style!
Definitely shoulder slope. Wide is nice in principle but made for the body (whether tight or loose) is what makes you look fabulous. Especially in a fabric that isn’t particularly minded to drape.
That’s my feeling, as well. I think that tiny bit more structure would be useful with this fabric, and I can make the Craftsy-style one with some bright blue linen I have on hand.
Harper is cuter, you could do so much with it. Love its modern vibe.
c’mon Karen… go for the “craftsy” caftan. Traditional, classic! You can totally pull this off. Especially in that fabric! Love that.
I also think you’d look amazing in the Lotta caftan :-) http://www.amazon.com/Lotta-Jansdotters-Everyday-Style-Accessories/dp/1617691747/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1461068734&sr=1-1&keywords=lotta+jansdotter
It is really cute, but I don’t want anything with actual sleeves in this case!
That looks like a great book – simple, easy to dress up or down. Seems to go with your building a basic wardrobe. It makes me want to go back to making my own clothes. All of the styles would look great on you – patterns look easy to alter – adapt, v neck, boat neck, crew. Off to buy the book.
Definitely the Lotta caftan!
I also thought about the Lotta Everyday Style caftan. I’ve made my muslin for the top and it has a flattering fit. Check out the cover on amazon to see a picture of the caftan.
I vote for anything with a higher arm hole. Having worn caftans in the 1970’s, I can tell you that they are awkward to wear. The large open sleeves expose underwear or worse. This means keeping your elbows close to your waist most of the time.
An unconstructed top can look a lot like a scrub, which the Harper Tunic brought to mind. Especially in a print. Go Caftan.
Beautiful fabric!
For future trips to Florida during the summer, one thing you may want consider is whether the fabric let’s your skin breathe & is also lightweight. As you may know, it get’s disgustingly hot during the summers here in Florida (I’m in Pensacola)… have a great time!
Yep, this is just some Indian cotton, albeit midweight. And the climate is why I definitely don’t want proper sleeves!
I vote for a v-neck, as it is slightly cooler…and can show off an awesome chunky necklace when you go out to dinner.
My only question would be: is this beautiful Ikea fabric drapey enough to make Christine Hayne’s caftan in Craftsy? If you want it to flow around you, the fabric has to be very soft. Have a great trip, lucky girl!
I want the hat! Have a most wonderful time!
Love that fabric! It’ll make a fab caftan. I vote for a wide-ish v-neck to keep things cool and to show off your chunky Mrs. Roper necklaces and dangly red ball earrings. Cigarette holder optional. ;)
Lotta’s Everyday Style caftan popped into my mind first as well (flipped through the book this weekend and had a hard time putting it down!), but I see many others have suggested that… What about Sonya’s Dress No. 3? You could switch out the neckline, add a pocket like the Harper, etc.
http://100actsofsewing.com/shop/237663027
I just purchased a McCall’s pattern, #5893, to make a long summer dress for myself. It’s sleeveless with a scoop neckline. It’s touted as a “1 hour dress” so it’s gotta be an easy one to get done quickly!
My vote is also for Sonya’s Dress No. 3. It’s got the v-neck detail, roomy sleeves and a split hem detail that is a nice touch. Love the fabric, btw!
Your fabric seems less drapey than what the basic caftan calls for? I would go for some shaping up top. Deep V is sexy and feminine.
I think the Harper is more ‘Karen’ style. :)
Saltwaters! I have a navy blue pair that I love, they literally go with everything and are so comfy!
I’m living in India for a couple of years and found Plantation House recently. Beautiful linens, cottons and silks in simple lines. Might generate some ideas. http://www.plantationhouseshop.com/
Harper’s or one with more shaping than the traditional one. And when you need a winter one – knitted of course – ask about the decades old one from Good Housekeeping that I have made for all my family ladies. It’s a walking about blanket.
my spring trip is nashville!!!! can’t wait
The “Wear Anywhere Tunic” at Purl Soho looks promising. The drawstring shaping at the bodice makes it less like a tent, and it could not be easier to sew.
http://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/07/17/corinnes-thread-wear-anywhere-tunic/
Hmmm. As a self-styled Mrs Roper expert, I will weigh on this with you in person. You can’t just half-ass a Mrs Roper look.
I ordered a caftan from Etsy years ago (http://tinyurl.com/go6ouz7) and I wear it so much in the summer. It has a drawstring waist and it’s just easy to wear.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/177118197823772727/
I like the one above. V-neck. Basically two long rectangles sewn together.
Oh Please…..the Harper Tunic!
I made one over the (Aussie) summer using the Lou Box Top pattern for the shoulder line, I modified for longer arm holes and a v neck – and I love it! Though I do warn once you have a gorgeous caftan you won’t want to wear anything else!
Have you posted photos anywhere?
What about this? v-neck and no sleeves.
http://www.mooreaseal.com/products/broken-lines-v-dress
That’s basically the Purl Soho patterned mentioned above, just minus the drawstring waist. I do like it — esp in this fabric!
Oh man, I’m sometimes not the greatest at seeing the basic outlines. You’re right, it’s the same, just a higher back neckline and no drawstring waist.
I think something like this would be good for that fabric. You can make it long or short.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/109353097174745614/
I just saved that image from a Google search last night!
I saw this pattern too , but it doesn’t seem to be available. However, it would be easy to modify the Purl Soho pattern into this shape by either limiting the width of the gathers, either with the drawstring or with a panel. Very pretty shape …
You’ve got me looking all over Pinterest for ideas to get me back into sewing! But I saw this and thought your material would look good in something like it. http://focus-damnit.tumblr.com/image/109996928462
LOOOOOVE this. OMG. But don’t think I can figure out a pattern for it within a week.
I’ll search! (Can you tell I’m on spring break?)
And then there’s this…
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/481181541413788194/
That’s pretty much exactly the shape I’m planning, but longer. (High slits.) I like the piecework, though — hmm.
Can you adapt this pattern? https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v9104
One more. http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2015/06/trapeze-tank-dress-pattern-free.html
Here’s the longer version.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55591376629255117/
Or this?
http://twonewyork.com/collections/featured/products/pink-color-block-caftan
Very cute.
Love that …
I can’t wait to see your finished product!
Have you seen Lauren’s version of Vogue 1496, V neck, sleeveless and cocoon shaped:
http://www.basteandgather.com/blog/vogue-1496-cocoon-dress-in-black-nicole-miller-tencel
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