Wicked Cool : : My Charlie Caftan : : By Closet Case Patterns
I think I might be an adult now….
It’s like this; years ago…when I was quite certain I was a kid…summers meant ten glorious days at the YM/YWCA Camp Garibaldi. Oh the anticipation. Every year was different, yet in many ways the same. For sure there’d be new girls, a cabin change and a new counselor. But much of the staff remained unchanged for all the years I attended. It wasn’t a fancy camp, there were no uniforms, there were no horses…we were mostly just a motley crew of kids learning about diversity, and caring, and sharing.
Permitting myself to lapse into eleven year old lingo…my very most favourite camp counselor was Margo. Her full name was Margo Gram and her name could be spelled forward and backward. I don’t think I need to tell you how incredibly cool this was in the eyes of a child. As wicked cool as a palindrome name is…Margo left a second, more impressive, imprint on my young mind…
Late afternoon, without fail, Margo would ditch her denim cut offs and t-shirt and slip into the most marvelously exotic garment I’d ever seen. It looked a bit like a large robe, a rather shapeless rectangle of fabric with cut outs for the head and arms. It also had pocket openings in the side seams…except there were no pocket bags. I remember us girls giggling and trying to peek…not to see anything…just to be silly. Sigh….she always looked ethereal wearing her gauzy white fabric. She called it a caftan. We would take turns trying it on, swanning about our humble cabin, fabric hitched up at every angle. I swore when I was grown up I would have a caftan too…
Fast forward nearly fifty years and looky me now. I’m wearing my first caftan. Yes, the Charlie Caftan by Closet Case Patterns. I made view B with the wide kimono sleeves. And yes, if you peek you can see my bra….that’s karma for ya.
I was a pattern tester for Charlie and I found it to be a mostly easy make. That being said, if there is a tricky bit, it’s the inset center panel. Here’s what helped me. Before I cut out the narrow horizontal channel, I fused a rectangle of lightweight knit interfacing over the entire surface keeping just within the stitching lines. This stabilized my fabric and made cutting out the slit easier. It also served as a helpful sewing guideline {I sewed along the outside edge of the interfacing}.
*Please note that the inset center panel sits lower by 1″ on the published pattern.
I finished the insides with french seams and if it wasn’t for the pockets, I wouldn’t be able to tell which side is the right side. Heather’s instructions make for very tidy innards.
My fabric is a lightweight gauze. It may not be the ethereal white that Margo’s was…but it is a double stash buster. I’ve had it for two years and before that it was in my aunt’s stash….huh…I just realized this crazy plaid is probably circa summer camp days!
Tonight, I’m dipping my toes in the Pacific Ocean alongside eleventy hundred others. After a cold, wet spring, summer has arrived in the Pacific Northwest and none of us are taking it for granted. The timing is sweet…up until last week I was seriously thinking that I might have to take my Charlie Caftan photos indoors which would have been so wrong.
The pattern has several silhouettes, the short length that I’ve made, a side slit maxi….ooooh like Margo’s….optional self fabric ties, and two sleeve options. Me thinks another caftan will be on the cutting table soon.
Wearing:
Charlie Caftan : : Closet Case Patterns
Pattern inspired by the also very cool:
58 Comments
What a beautiful make!! I ‘m suddenly in love with caftans…
I’m still debating my fabric, linen or gauze, patterned or one color….
I really love the plaid and the color on you.
Thank you An! I picked from my stash…in part because when you are pattern testing, there can be little things that don’t work out. That being said, the caftan worked out great and I have been ‘window shopping’ for another make! You’re right…so many choices!
I’m so impressed with your rock-like balance! Oh and the caftan is perfect too. Love the fabric! Wading in the water looks like way more fun than working in my literal sweatshop, aka the studio. But now that we actually have summer I’m not allowed to complain, am I?
LOL…that’s the camera man’s job….to catch me standing still! Your attic studio must have been smokin’ hot this past weekend…a little cooler today I hope. And yep…no complaining allowed, hahaha.
Just love this. Seriously tempted by the shorter length version of this pattern. Fab pictures too.
We’re close to the same height Manju! This pattern is designed for heat…it’s so cool and breezy in the gauze fabric!
Sue, it’s gorgeous! I love it in plaid, especially this gorgeous plaid. Those colors!
Aw…thanks bunches Meg! Your version is so chic and swooshy…I LOVE it!
Oh, Sue! Your caftan is absolutely gorgeous. It suits you to a tee. And your story about Margo Gram took me back in time with you. I could see you as a kid mesmerized by Margo and her gauzy white caftan. What an excellent story and so well-told.
Hugs,
Sherry
Thanks Sherry! If I could convince myself that I’d look good in a white one…I just might make it.
I just love this! the fabric is fantastic – I was thinking a plaid would be great for this pattern, you really rocked it. I enjoyed your camp memory – sounds like it was a perfect summer camp!
Thanks Coco! Hehe…your lovely white version is pretty close to Margo’s…minus a lot of the volume her’s had.
Oh, this is so pretty, Sue. And the photos are divine too. It’s perfect in all ways: the fabric, colors, print, style and you wearing it.
Hey Pao and thanks! This easy fitting garment thing is so very comfortable in the heat! See…I’m learning from you!
This looks beautiful and perfect for summer!
Thank you so much Shirley! It gets high marks because the wrinkles don’t seem to show. If I drop it and go for a swim, no worries!
Oh, I LOVE this plaid! It’s perfect in this pattern. I want, want, want this fabric and pattern!
Thanks Lyrique! I was a bit unsure about the plaid but it did work out beautifully! I hope you can find the plaid of your dreams!
Love the plaid, colour and weightlessness of the fabric you used for your Charlie. And of course your story of Margo – haven’t we all had girl-crushes on those “older women” who exemplified everything we wanted to become? 🙂
Thanks Kathleen! Oh, that’s so true….you’ve got me thinking back on childhood and the women that have influenced me. The weightlessness of this fabric makes it an absolute winner for me!
WOW It looks great and I bet it is a dream to wear!!! Love the camp stories – you have a great memory
Thanks Mom! A dream to wear in this heat…I’ve been wearing it almost non-stop. Tee hee…I could probably tell a different camp story every post…
Its lovely, so summery and floaty
Thanks Louise! Yep…a true summer make!
Margo would be so touched that you are wearing a caftan that’s (sort of) like hers. And it IS ethereal with its warm colors in the low sun. I’m diggin’ the pattern!
Thanks Priscilla. These rambles make me wonder…Where are they now?
Ahhhhh, so good! I saw this post in my feed this morning, and I saved it to read until the afternoon so I could delay the gratification of reading about your colourful, fabulous dress! I love your story about camp and the mysterious allure of the caftan!
Thanks Gillian! I’ve done that too…delayed reading a post until a little later. Thanks for the compliment! 🙂
I want to point out that the light in these photos is exquisite – the Golden Hour, most definitely. I have had a few long caftans over the years, have pared down to one electrifyingly bright one, but would love to get a short one, which seems much more practical on a hot summer day. The short version looks like a lovely modern summer dress, and you picked the perfect fabric. I love your colourful summer dresses!
I think long caftans are more alluring and exotic. That being said, I think the short version suits me better. Your electrifyingly bright caftan sounds sublime!
Loved your story of camp! NOT at all like my memories! There was green slime (algae in the lake that would get under your swimsuit so when you’d take it off you’d look like the Monster From the Green Lagoon) ticks and tick searches every night, rampant diarrhea, no toilet paper, giant mosquitos and to top it all off a girl broke her leg right in front of me. It stuck out like a chicken’s leg in a disturbing angle. She screamed and screamed. Needless to say I think I wrote home every single day begging my parents to come and get me. They never did. I think I may still hold that against them. Ha!
The colours on this piece are stunning. Perfect for the sunset photos you managed and I love that hat!
Glad you were able to dip your toes and that the weather has warmed up out your way. Summer is important to Canadians.
bisous
Suzanne
Oh my gosh Suzanne…that sounds like the makings for a summer movie. You did strike a chord with the mosquitos though…I remember one year that they were really, really bad and I was covered from head to toe with red swollen bites, and those were covered with sticky pink Calamine lotion.
And yeah me…wearing one of my hats! Happy you like it!
Perfecto! The pattern, the fabric, the colours, the YOU! And the scenery and the light. Ooooh! All so beautiful. If you want a white caftan, check out Handmade by Carolyn – I think she made the same pattern in white and she has similar colouring to you. She looks smashing. It’s a great pattern. One question. What’s the point of that inset rectangle? Seems like a lot of hard work for not much payoff. It looks very nice but what’s it for?
Hey Barbara!
Thanks for the lovely comment! And yes…Carolyn’s caftan is sublime!
I think the inset rectangle is a design feature, but I also think there is functionality in it too. If not for the inset panel, I think there would have to be a seam separating the bodice from the skirt?
Oh camp they were special days and your caftan looks so perfect for those afternoons paddling in the water.
Thanks so much Sharon! I know a lot of people didn’t go to camp, but they were indeed special days for me. I think in part because my family did not go on camping trips!
Very nice kaftan. Well done!! Cannot wait to see a long version of it. I bet that is on your mind now. With a drawstring under the bust to taper it there? But which material?
Greetje
I just saw that you hesitate to make a long one. How about a very flowy material? Not too structured? Have to say that the short version in this colourful check looks very good on you.
Yes…it would have to be a very light, very flowy material. I never say never, LOL.
The pattern does provide for a drawstring/tie under the bust. So you think I can carry it off {meaning: wear it and look good}?
Oh I do love the checked fabric, it looks like a lovely summer dress that you can wear a million and one places. I have put that pattern on my summer sewing list. (Winter here in Australia with a minus 8ºc this morning) Thank you for the blog it really clinched the pattern buying for me.
Thanks Sue! Okay…-8c is really chilly, LOL, and I’m Canadian! Our winter temps in Vancouver rarely go below 0.
I’ve seen so many pretty variations of this pattern. I really don’t think you can go wrong with it! Happy sewing!
This plaid design is such a fun color combo!
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Thank you Caitlin!
I love this, Sue! I love that the fabric is gauzy, it has a colourful and bold print, and I love the fit. It’s the perfect summer dress. I do hope you go for the maxi version at some point, even if it’s only to swan around your home.
Summer camp for me? Yeah, once I went. Nobody told me it was a CHURCH camp!!! With church TWICE a day!!!! There were no cliffs around or I would have jumped off. Or if they had canoes, which they didn’t, nor water, I would have paddled away.
Thanks Mel! You and Greetje both vote for the maxi version eh? Well. Maybe. If nothing else…it would provide a play zone for Samson. My cat!
This isn’t just an awesome project, but a very useful one. I can see it as a cover-up at the beach, paired with leggings for a day out of shopping, even a last minute night shirt (when you forgot to pack one). I love the choice of fabric, it looks very comfy and a great combination of colors.
LOVED the story about the camp counselor and her awesome name!
Thanks Flo! Oh my gosh, I love your suggestions for it! I think sewing some fun leggings are on the horizon!
Beautiful pictures in the evening sun. You look amazing dear Sue.
Sabine xxx
Thanks Sabine! So lovely that you’ve stopped by to say Hi!
I love this fabric. It just cried out to be a craftan sitting on a beach on the mainland! Nice work. You look great!
Thanks Linda! I am curious to see my Aunt’s dress. I was surprised when she said she still had hers. It would be ironic if it was a caftan too!
this is soooo great!! I had seen a few other versions of the pattern and yours really stands out, I can almost feel the ocean on my own feet, and the breeze flowing through this caftan! And I like the story of Margo… those childhood memories are so precious! And those stories you add make it so nice to read your blog too 😉 thanks for the advice, I am not yet going to buy this pattern now (I really have to stop buying and buying and start making some more instead ;-)) but I think I am going to put it on my wishlist, and then it’s good to know these little tricks 😉 enjoy summer there!
Thanks Barbara. It was really fun working with the plaid. I spoke to my Aunt recently and she still has the dress she made out of this fabric. Can’t wait to see hers.
I love this on you Sue! Recently, I have been toying around with making a caftan. I have the Simplicity pattern that inspired this one. Your story and finished dress makes me want to get cracking!
Thanks Bianca!
Make your caftan now!!! Honestly, you will love wearing a breezy caftan and your fabric selection will be amazing…and now I can’t wait to see your Simplicity one!
What a lovely memory. I wonder if Margo is still swanning around in wonderful caftans? I hope so!
I love this on you, and I extra love how the offset plaid for the inset makes it look a bit like a tromp l’oeil bow + knot.
Oh, I wonder about Margo too. I bet she is still rockin’ the caftan look!
I love that you see a bow and knot. Now I see it too!