Charlie Caftan Pattern

Firstly, only about half of the pictures printed out which was frustrating, haven’t had any other trouble with my printer so an issue with the download? So that meant I needed laptop open as well as printed instructions, plus had to toggle between the actual instructions and various other blog posts for further instructions on the panel to make sense of it. I do quite like the dress, have made two now. But the panel is definitely too low, I needed to raise it an inch on the second dress, could go higher even. Also the short length looked pretty ridiculous on me (5’7), so second time around I made a midi length, halfway between the long and short, and that has worked well. I found the V neck difficult too. All in all, the pattern was a bit expensive for the hassles I had!

I am a beginner, and yet I wanted to sew my own dress for my cousin’s wedding. This pattern was perfect! I found a Sew-Along on YouTube, which helped immensely. I sized the pattern to my breast measurement. Now I’m getting started on my next Closet Core pattern!

I love the pattern. The finished product is so awesome! I'm so happy with the Charlie Caftan. Great pattern and resources to sew up the caftan.

I have been sewing for less than a year, and consider myself a confident beginner.
Previously I have sewn a couple of Cielo tops (short sleeve version), the Cielo dress, Fiore skirt, and Pietra shorts. For all patterns I have found the instructions clear and easy to follow.
I bought the Charlie Caftan with the intent to make a couple: one for an upcoming outdoor birthday party, and also for a trip to Mexico in the Fall, to use mostly as a cover up.
In my research before making my first attempt, I saw how challenging the bodice panel appeared to be. I decided to make Version A (pleats, no gathers in front) using some cotton I had from a thrift store. I did watch a very helpful You Tube sew along (Flying Bobbins) and felt I coulf give it a go!
The bodice panel did not turn out the best, especially after I chose to sew on the inside bodice panel cover piece by machine.... but the dress is wearable. I did see where I could improve though, so I thought the practice was worthwhile. I was thrilled with how the V-neck turned out (my first!)

My second attempt was View B. I was very careful with the bodice panel and am very pleased with the result. Yes, it was tricky, but careful measuring and marking of seam allowance made the difference.
I was very pleased with the end result and wore it last night to dinner.
I am looking forward to making a few more of these in different fabrics, as they are very easy to wear and enjoyable to make.

This is a beautiful summer dress. I found the sizing and instructions very accurate. I raised my neckline by an inch according to the blog post and shortened the ties. This was meant to be my toile made in a cotton/linen blend, but it’s so cool and comfy it’s been seeing a lot of wear in the heat.

Made this from medium weight muslin. The YouTube video helped for the tricky part. Not all that hard. Then I eco printed with blitzed onion skins and plume poppy leaves after mordanting to accept natural dyes. I think the pockets could be a little bit bigger. Next time.

The center panel was difficult but thanks to a video on UTube, I could make it! But from the pockets until the end ( leg slit ), explanations were not enough and I had to guess . Also I bought on CCfabrics a cotton fabric recommended specially for this pattern, but the fabric was too stiff, and makes a disgracions parachute effect around the waist ( when the belt is tied ). I would also make the belt straps larger ( 1 " more) .

I made this dress in a printed linen. the instructions were clear and it was a quick and easy make. this is one of my favourite cool summer dresses. I also made a top in the pattern. The frill on the sleeve is cleverly made using no extra sleeve piece.

I love this and have made two of them!! However, I will admit the inset panel drove me crazy. I used the sew along, I tried at least 3 times . . I'm sure it was user error, as I see many others have mastered it, but I failed. So, I cut it off in angry frustration, gathered the front skirt, and sewed the front skirt to the bodice. SO much easier, and I actually love how the waist line is higher than in the pattern! Highly recommend this pattern, even without the panel.

Just finished the Charlie Caftan and it will be my comfy go to dress this summer. It’s true that the center panel is a bit fiddly/tricky. I wish I had tested it on scrap fabric first. But my mistake is happily hidden due to the print I used. Once you do it, you get it. I will definitely make more than one of these!

J'ai adoré faire ce patron cet été
Il est très bien expliqué.
J'ai choisi un tissu bleu et blanc et j'ai réalisé également un autre dans une cotonnade verte et blanche.
Je vais certainement refaire cette robe car elle convient parfaitement à ma morphologie

I've only recently started sewing, and this was one of my first projects. The instructions were clear, easy to follow, and I love the pattern including the fit, which I found to be true to size.
I made mine from a stiff cotton shirting fabric, no drape and I'm very happy with the result. I will be using this pattern again, this time for the version C maxi dress.

I made the maxi version in linen as it’s perfect for the Middle East heat. Can definitely see why it’s a sewing fan favourite as it’s easy to fit and construct. I’ve had several compliments on it and will be making more!

I made my dress out of a beautiful rayon fabric. I did find the inset panel challenging as the rayon was so slippery and not very forgiving if you had to make any changes. I was worried about making a hole when I had to rip apart a seam. I followed the directions on the pattern but supplemented them with the sew-along provided on the website. I did not attached the ties at first go, but when I tried the finished dress on, it looked way too big for me, so I improvised and made some long ties and attached them to the sides of the inset. Worked out perfectly. So happy with my dress!

Super handige uitleg, heel gemakkelijke jurk om te maken. Het model is zoals voorgesteld heel gemakkelijk (+-2uur aan gewerkt) en comfortabel om te dragen. Super kleed, veel complimenten over gekregen en heel blij mee! Ik ga in de toekomst zeker nog patronen bestellen.

'm a sewing newbie. I have had a few private lessons and lots of assistance with my past sewing projects. The Charlie Caftan was the first projected I started and completed on my very own. The pattern itself was mostly straightforward and easy to follow. Whenever I did seem to get lost with it or have question, I was able to refer to the blog posts on the website.

I have, and will continue to recommend this pattern to people looking for an easy place to start learning how to sew their own clothes.

I made view A of this pattern after having only made a few simple tanks and tops. The pattern is great for a beginner and included some great details that give it a polished look as well as making me feel like a more accomplished sewer. Some of the tricky parts (mainly the center panel) were explained more fully in the blog tutorials. I probably would have gotten pretty frustrated without those, but after a few times running back and forth from my computer to the sewing table, I felt confident and breezed through them without even making a practice one first (contrary to instructions!!). I learned so much sewing this and love the result!

I really enjoyed making this pattern as only the second garment I've ever made. The instructions were clear and easy to follow with the exception of the front panel part – for that, I ended up having to come back here to the blog for more detailed instructions and pictures (seems like I wasn't the only one). Other than that is was super fun and easy to make, and very rewarding. Definitely looking forward to making more Closet Case patterns in the future.

I love Closet Case Patterns - I have made several now - and this is one of my favourites. Quick and easy to make and so comfortable to wear. I love my new caftan but if I made it again I'd use something a tiny bit heavier and more drapey, the lightweight cotton lawn I used tends to poof up under the gathers when I sit down because it's so airy. It's nice to have such a comfy roomy dress that still retains some shape with the ties - and it's got pockets ... YAY for pockets in dressed!