The kaftan dress, which is also spelt caftan sometimes, has been around for a long time. It has evolved throughout the years from being a type of robe or tunic to becoming a fashion statement. In the past, it has been used to signify the importance of the person wearing it with regards to the amount of embellishment that decorated it.
Originating in Morocco and most often linked to Islamic cultures, the caftan has now crossed borders to the Western world, where it is a popular fashionable item of clothing. It became very popular when the hippies were around in the 1960s and 1970s, drawing from ethnic details for inspiration.
This is an item of clothing that can be worn just as easily when lounging at home as it can for going out. There are many versions of heavily beaded kaftan gowns that work well for semi-formal events when worn with heels and a clutch. In the Western world, women are most found in caftans.
A caftan can easily be made at home, even by an amateur sewer. A piece of fabric is folded lengthwise to the desired end result. Then, after measuring along the fold to find the center point, the hole for the neck to fit through will be cut. Finding the center is important to ensure equal arm length on the caftan.
The key is to accurately measure the size of the neck hole for the wearer to be able to fit their head through it when putting it on. The neckline can be a V-neck or rounded, or whatever shape is desired for creativity. Cut the shape of the neck hole and neck line into the folded fabric, starting at the center point and making both sides even.
You can finish the raw edges of the caftan using a binding or by facing them. If you have experience sewing then you will understand what is meant by creating a facing to neaten the edges of the neckline. If you are a beginner, you can easily hand stitch a trim for decoration along the edges of the piece to finish it. Alternatively, bind the edges with strips of fabric cut on the bias.
The sides of the caftan can be finished in a number of ways. For a simple piece to throw over a vest top or swimsuit, the sides can be left open or a small stitch can be put to hold the sides in place. Another way to finish the piece properly is to sew from right underneath the armhole opening to the hemline. This can be a straight line or shaped to the curves of the body.
The kaftan dress is very simple and versatile, but it can also have very elaborate embellishment in it in the form of beading or sequins. This embellishment is most often found around the neck hole, armholes and hemline of the caftan. A caftan can be any length, from short to just above the knee to floor-length.
Originating in Morocco and most often linked to Islamic cultures, the caftan has now crossed borders to the Western world, where it is a popular fashionable item of clothing. It became very popular when the hippies were around in the 1960s and 1970s, drawing from ethnic details for inspiration.
This is an item of clothing that can be worn just as easily when lounging at home as it can for going out. There are many versions of heavily beaded kaftan gowns that work well for semi-formal events when worn with heels and a clutch. In the Western world, women are most found in caftans.
A caftan can easily be made at home, even by an amateur sewer. A piece of fabric is folded lengthwise to the desired end result. Then, after measuring along the fold to find the center point, the hole for the neck to fit through will be cut. Finding the center is important to ensure equal arm length on the caftan.
The key is to accurately measure the size of the neck hole for the wearer to be able to fit their head through it when putting it on. The neckline can be a V-neck or rounded, or whatever shape is desired for creativity. Cut the shape of the neck hole and neck line into the folded fabric, starting at the center point and making both sides even.
You can finish the raw edges of the caftan using a binding or by facing them. If you have experience sewing then you will understand what is meant by creating a facing to neaten the edges of the neckline. If you are a beginner, you can easily hand stitch a trim for decoration along the edges of the piece to finish it. Alternatively, bind the edges with strips of fabric cut on the bias.
The sides of the caftan can be finished in a number of ways. For a simple piece to throw over a vest top or swimsuit, the sides can be left open or a small stitch can be put to hold the sides in place. Another way to finish the piece properly is to sew from right underneath the armhole opening to the hemline. This can be a straight line or shaped to the curves of the body.
The kaftan dress is very simple and versatile, but it can also have very elaborate embellishment in it in the form of beading or sequins. This embellishment is most often found around the neck hole, armholes and hemline of the caftan. A caftan can be any length, from short to just above the knee to floor-length.
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