Parrot Caftan or Kaftan (both work)

There are a couple of things that aren’t in my current sewing practice. One is sewing with deadlines and the other is sewing for a vacation. That was until August.

This summer, I wanted a caftan. As a family, we were just about to take our annual trip to the lake resort and I was determined that I was taking a caftan with me.

My Fascination With Caftans

I’ve been fascinated with caftans for a few years but never made one*. And, of course, over the years, I couldn’t help but collect a few patterns; vintage, vintage releases, and new. Below are the three of the patterns. The pattern on the left is an original from the ’70s that I found on ETSY. The one in the middle is a re-release from a few years ago, and the Decades of Style pattern was published in 2018.

I even bought a second-hand sari from eBay to turn it into a caftan. I had done all of this but to no avail. There still wasn’t a great burning desire to actually get that caftan created.

Finally, What Happened?

This is going to need some backstory. Around 2016, Nicole Miller collaborated with Joann Fabrics and created a line of prints. I don’t know what I was doing in 2016 (apparently not sewing enough), but I didn’t realize this until they were almost sold out. Still, I was able to grab two of her prints from the clearance aisle. One print HERE, and the other HERE. But that was it! I have spent years checking eBay and ETSY for resales but never found anything until this summer!

On eBay, there were four yards of Nicole Miller’s glorious parrots in what I assumed was polyester. Seeing them was like a thunderbolt. Immediately, I knew those parrots were going to be my caftan and I wanted it immediately. This was just before we left for the lake resort, so I dropped everything I was working on and immediately worked nonstop until I got it done.

These Parrots just make me happy!

Why I Chose to Make the Pattern I Did

I decided to use Simplicity 8505, mainly because I liked the V-neck. Regarding, the other patterns, I was a little afraid of the high neck and collar of the original vintage pattern for summer. Also, as much as I love them, I wasn’t sure about having those parrots right up against my face.

The Decades of Style Caftan, although very cool looking, seemed to be a tad more time-consuming and for the first time in years, I was on a deadline. However, I will eventually make the Decades of Style pattern. Its pattern cut and styling is very unique.

Simplicity 8506

This pattern has a V-neck front bodice with a center seam. The front bodice is gathered onto a midriff band. The bodice and band are then inserted into the caftan front. The back has a center seam with a back neck opening that is fastened with a button.

On the inside, there are long ties to give the caftan some shape. These can be a hassle. I found it easier to cross them over in the back and tie them in the front. You can decide how loose or fitted you want your caftan to be.

Of Course, There Were Pattern Adjustments

The first change was purely cosmetic. I didn’t want a center seam that would break up my parrots. Secondly, there is plenty of room to slip this garment on, so there is no real need for the opening. As you can see from the above photo, all parrots and no back neck opening.

The next change is better described as a full bust adjustment and is more complicated. This style is what I consider an empire waist, which will never flatter someone with my figure. That meant I had to do some work with the front bodice piece.

Step one was to make the bodice longer to have it end closer to my waistline. I added three inches to the bodice and then had to adjust the opening on the main pattern front by cutting the opening three inches longer. This dropped the midriff band where I wanted it to be and made me more comfortable with how the caftan would look on me.

Step two in this process was adding, in total four extra inches to the width of the bodice. Most standard patterns are drafted for a B cup and I am a DD, so that is about how much I usually add for my full bust adjustments. The bottom of the bodice is gathered onto the lower band, so the extra four inches were easily accommodated and that was exactly what I needed.

My Caftan in the wild (after Sunday brunch) at Big Cedar Lodge. I will add an extra note here that my parrot fabric is on the sheerer side. Because of this, I found a cami slip on Amazon to wear under it.

Tying It Up

This was a pleasant sewing experience. The pattern has five pieces in total and it is all straight-seam sewing. The only tricky part is inserting the bodice into the front. Because of that, I would say this is for advanced beginners.

I’m not sure where I will actually wear my caftan besides the lake and maybe family get-togethers. As far as cost, with shipping my fabric (from eBay) was $30 and I paid about $2 for the pattern at Joann’s. So, I have $32 invested and my time. I’m not really going to be too upset if I don’t get to wear this a lot. Since I made it, it has been hanging on my closet door so I can look at all those parrots when I walk by.

So, has anyone else made a Caftan? Do you find them useful and like to swish around in them? Are there any other great caftan patterns out there? And I am wondering, in general, if you have to be “a certain age” to pull one off.

I could not have a post about a caftan without including an incredible photo of Liz Taylor (from 1971) who knew how to wear one. This is the same style as the one I made!

I also have to include one of my favorite photos of all time, which is from a 2012 post on my Poodle blog. This has to be one of the coolest ladies ever and although she isn’t wearing a Caftan per se, she is rocking the same vibe and she has a Poodle!

That’s it, my friends

Sew On, and create cool stuff! If any of you have sewing blogs, please let me know. So many are on YouTube these days, but I just don’t think I’m really to do the YouTube thing yet. I really like the methodical approach to explaining everything step by step here. How do you feel about that? Are you on YouTube?

• I’m not exactly correct when I said I have not made a caftan. I have not made a traditional caftan. About three years ago, I made Liz Haywood’s Boho Caftan HERE. It’s a Caftan, just not traditional. I took it on vacation too.