So this is what I’ve been up to in sewing class lately.
After my fitting fiasco with my previous project, I thought I’d give myself an easier job of it this time around.
So I’m making a kaftan!
Well, a kaftan dress actually. The short one on the right, to be precise:
Hardly any fitting required! BONUS!
The pattern couldn’t be simpler. Well, actually, it could…
Lazy so-and-so that I am, I found a short cut!
You see that diagram in the corner of the pattern envelope that shows that it has only two main pattern pieces? Well I managed to reduce that still further by cutting the front pattern piece on a fold, rather than cutting two separate fronts and sewing them together.
As well as reducing the number of seams to sew, this also saves me the challenge of matching up my fabric’s pattern along the centre front seam (and to be honest I’m not even sure I would’ve had enough fabric to do this).
I am using my free gift fabric:
As you can see, it has a vertical stripe, which can be a tricky beast.
So any avoidance of matching up the stripes – especially right down the front – is to be welcomed with open arms and hallelujahs as far as I’m concerned.
That’s not my only challenge though. The fabric is a synthetic crêpe and slippery as an eel when it comes to manouvreing it under the sewing machine. It also doesn’t press easily like cotton does.
I have already learned the useful techniques of stay stitching and understitching to help cope with it’s idiosyncrasies.
We shall see how it turns out.
I am not entirely sure that I am a kaftan person.
So the jury is still out on whether anyone will ever see me rocking this particular garment anywhere other than lounging on the sofa in front of the telly.
But one thing’s certain…
I’m loving the learning journey! 🙂
oh the nostalgia of a Jiffy pattern – as opposed to a jiffy bag…..
I will reserve judgement on the Jiffy pattern until completion!
yes, it could yet go jiffy bag…
I admire your resolve I took apart a favourite smock to copy the pattern pieces and make another, alas it still lies in many pieces,, but one day …
My previous frock project (the one that didn’t fit me) is lying unloved in my “can’t find the time to deal with that just now” pile!
I bought a kaftan on Sat at Portobello Rd! Are we trend setters? Haha
Oh I do hope so! It is something to which I aspire!
For visual inspiration that demonstrates why you must wear your finished creation look at the pictures of Elizabeth Taylor in her late 60’s early 70’s kaftan (her Kaftan in the 80’s and 90’s go a bit out of style focus to be honest). Lots of dangly chains and native american beads seem to be what is needed to accessorize too. Gulp! Oh well good luck!
Just for you Big Forest…
It’s a great look, I’m just not sure I can carry it off…
A bit too much drama for the weekly shop in Tesco, agreed. And setting the kaftan wearing benchmark at Elizabeth Taylor may be a tad too high? Michelle Phillps from Mamas and Papas had a nice low key approach I think although hers were accessorized with round sunglasses and headbands which is hard to pull off too. That is enough fashion advice from TheBigForest as we are clearly the stylists nightmare.xx
No, I love it! Keep those style tips coming! Off to research pictures of The Mamas & Papas now!
Well my final thoughts – assembled whilst I do something considerably less interesting- is that the Kaftan was a garmet that went from being ‘authentic’, via hippy, then on to high fashion (I think Zandra Rhodes collections of around 68/69 featured lots of Kaftans) then on to trendy acceptablity in the early 70’s (about the date of your pattern?) to suburban normality by the mid 70’s. Im sure there must be an episode of The Good Life where Margot Ledbetter wore a kaftan – possibly in Tricelle or any other man made fabric – and felt she was the Liz Taylor of Surbiton!
And now we wont rest until we see pictures of you actually wearing the Kaftan..
Ah, well if the last project’s anything to go by you might be in for a long wait!
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