Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Summer Sewing is in Full Effect

Hi Guys! Today I’m coming to you with this easy, breeze caftan from Simplicity Patterns because summer sewing is in full effect! While looking through my pattern stash, I came across McCall’s 8413. This pattern is described as McCall’s Sewing Pattern Misses’ Caftan In Two Lengths.  This is an Easy to Sew caftan in two lengths has ruched front with drawstring that ties at the bottom, V-shaped neckline, dolman sleeves and narrow hem. View C caftan has contrast on the left side. OK, let’s get into it because I have a few things to share and say about this pattern.

When I first saw this pattern, I purchased it because I loved the ruching in the front. I think that ruching can hide just about any “imperfection” you might think you have. Now, I must mention that this is one of the few caftan patterns I’ve ever purchased because I’m petite and feel like I get lost in all that fabric.  Well, I didn’t even realize this was a caftan pattern until I read the pattern description while writing this blog post.  If you’re like me and feel like a caftan is not for you, then this pattern IS for YOU! Are you following me? Lol

This pattern is the simplest not so easy pattern there is.  What do I mean by that? McCall’s 8413 only has 3 pattern pieces.  The front, back and the draw string.  So, what can make this pattern so hard you ask?  All the hemming this pattern requires! Once you sew the shoulders and the sides, the pattern requires that you make the casing in the front for the string that makes the ruching. The pattern instructions state to press under 1/4” and then press using a 7/8” seam allowance all around, starting at the back of the dress to the front, down the center front to make the casing and down the hem of the dress.  That was a lot of pressing.

I have a few tips for you while sewing this dress. The pattern instructions do not tell you to do this, but if you own a serger, I would suggest you serge all of your pattern pieces before you being to construct the caftan.  

The pattern instructions state to sew the neck, front and hem of the dress using a 7/8” seam allowance.  What I usually do is, sew the seam allowance using a basting stitch and use that as a guide.  That way I don’t have to measure as a press the seam before sewing it.

Also, do not skip the step of sewing a basting stitch within the seam allowance.  You are going to need that to gather in the fullness of the fabric when sewing the curved part of the hem.

My last suggestion is to not be like me or you could choose to be like me.  As I mentioned above, “The pattern instructions state to press under 1/4” and then press using a 7/8” seam allowance all around, starting at the back of the dress to the front, down the center front to make the casing and down the hem of the dress.” Yon can choose to not be like me and just press the seam allowance at 7/8” and top stitch all the way around. That would save you some time during the pressing stage.  This is totally personal preference.

When looking for fabric for this project, I knew I wanted something with a tropical vibe and I came across this beautiful leaf print fabric. It is called Palm Leaf/Bright Red/White/Multi Polyester/Lycra Tropical Floral Over Lattice Print Satin Suiting - Kimberly Goldson - 54W.  Hopefully it is still available by the time this post goes live. It is considered a suiting fabric and is a medium weight fabric perfect for a dress, shirt or skirt. I love how bright the colors are and the shimmery satin finish.  This fabric also has a slight stretch because of the Lycra content. 

I think I have found my new favorite pattern.  Although the design is pretty simple, the fabric possibilities are endless.  You can make this pattern using a mesh fabric and use it as a beach cover up.  You can also use 2 different fabrics and color block it like on the pattern cover.  I thought the short version was going to be too short for me, but I think the next time I make this dress, I’ll make the shorter version.

Do you love my dress as much as I do? I don’t usually repeat patterns, but I know I’ll be making this pattern again soon.  Make sure you follow my Instagram page at www.instagram.com/soveryjo so that we can keep up with each other in between blog posts!

Until next time,

JOHANNA @soveryjo  





Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: SUITING.

Comments

  1. You made it look so adorable I had to buy the pattern!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your dress! Putting that pattern on the ‘to get’ list :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have been eyeing this pattern,but I'm an Apple shape body type and thought it would look like a "horror movie" therefore I passed. I need to take a second look. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks stunning on you. Definitely not giving "caftan" in the usual sense. Thanks for the great construction tips!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you! Just pack you patience for all the hemming. lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful, fabulous! I need that pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The fabric looks great. Thanks for the detailed hem pics, it is helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fabric that is the same colour on both sides would look better because of the lower back showing. Beautiful dress and beautiful model.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Revisiting a Pattern After Five Years

Have you ever used a sewing pattern and then immediately vowed never to sew it again? Well, I have. It all began in the spring of 2020 at the start of the pandemic lockdown. I tackled sewing projects that were more challenging to help me grow as a seamstress. There was one pattern in particular that almost did me in, the Seamwork Penny shirt dress. The Penny dress pattern has a classic button-up dress shirt style bodice with a gathered skirt and pockets. It is a beautiful take on a shirt dress, and my sister and I loved it. The only downside is that it was recommended for intermediate-level sewists and I was only an adventurous beginner back then.  I think I had only ever made one button-up shirt before attempting this Penny Dress and it didn’t even have a collar! Despite all of this, I thought “Why not try it, what’s the worst that can happen?”  Thankfully the worst didn’t happen, and the dress turned out surprisingly wearable, but I had some intense frustration at the end. I...

Made By A Fabricista: A Simple Frock for Spring

Hello friends! I’m really into sewing and wearing tent dresses at the moment. A tent dress is basically a wide A-line style gown. For this month’s project, I’ve opted to try out The Assembly Line’s Square Neck Dress. This style is a little avant-garde in its enormity and shape, and boasts the squared neckline it’s named after, plus some cute hem side slits.  All that volume is fun to move around in, plus there’s loads of air circulation which is cooling. This dress’s main feature–its wide and high squared neckline–really piqued my interest recently, and I added it to my Make Nine plans for 2025. I find it so satisfying to check off those boxes as I sew!  This beautiful shirtweight linen is a color I simply adore; a muted medium blue. Stormy skies, worn-in denim, and ocean waves all come to mind, and that is exactly what I want to be all wrapped up in. While I think a wild or large print would be amazingly on display in this big canvas of a dress, I also thought that a subtle ...

Made By A Fabricista: Bold Aspen Dress for Spring

 As I write this in mid-April, central New Jersey weather is showing small signs of spring. My neighbor’s daffodils are blooming and our magnolia tree is trying to unfold its vibrant magenta petals. I am in the midst of preparing my wardrobe for the warmer months, even if we are still huddling against windy 30 degree days. For me, warm weather means linen. I love breathable, floaty linen sundresses and drapey, loose linen wide-leg pants. My vision for a spring piece was something bold and bright, inspired by the natural colors of blooming flowers, but also something that could transition well between the warmer and cooler months. When I saw Fabric Godmother’s Apsen Dress, I knew that it had the sensible transitional opportunities I was looking for while also providing a blank canvas for fun prints, patterns and colors. With the pattern in mind, I then turned to the stunning linen collection that Fabric Mart always has on hand to see what colors or patterns would best suit my visio...