A Caftan for Dr. Thanks!

June 20, 2024

As you may recall from my previous post, it's caftan season. I pulled my previous makes to the forefront of my closet and delighted in the fact that I had made so many. In my exuberance, Dr. Thanks I Made Them, expressed a little envy in this easy wearing garment. I casually mentioned that within my extensive stash, I was certain I had a pattern or two that I could use to make one for him. I said this in jest knowing he does not pay attention to fashion. Turns out he was not joking.

I am always open and willing to sew for my family. I often use them as blank canvases for things I want to make. With all my willingness, Dr. Thanks very rarely initiates a garment request. So when he said he wanted this, I was thrilled!

I gave him reign of my stash and this is the pattern he chose. Vintage Butterick 6843 in the full length.

I began to cut the pattern out and I left Dr. Thanks to shop my stash for his fabric.

He can go fabric shopping with blindfolds on. He gives little thought and concern to what a fabric looks like or of the fabric contents. He wants it to feel good; that is his paramount concern. Looking at the fabric considerations on the pattern was not going to matter to him. He wants soft and lush fabrics. I directed him to the natural and organic fabrics in my Nature's Fabric stash. After touching them all, he chose a medium Charcoal Heather Cotton Interlock Knit.

and I got started.

Working with this knit fabric requires special attention. I used my Baby Lock Altair sewing machine and Accolade Serger with the Cover-stitch to make this caftan.

I find success with knit abrics with a few simple tips:

Use a Klasse ballpoint, jersey, or stretch needle to prevent damaging the fabric
Machine sew with a zigzag stitch as it allows the fabric to stretch without popping seams
For light to medium weight knits, a stitch length of 1.5mm and a width of 5mm
Prevent stretching by using stabilizers designed for knit fabric
Use a twin needle to create a clean finish that allows for stretch on hems

Before, with my other sewing machines, buttonhole sewing was always a fraught undertaking. It was always a gamble on stitching them all without a mishap. I have had not one problem sewing them with my Altair. These stitched up without a problem.

Have you heard of a buttonhole cutter? It's a handy little blade you use with a mallet to cut a clean opening to the buttonhole. No more straight pins and a seam ripper.

Finally, I added the finishing touches off the buttons.

and it was complete!

Can you tell he loves it?

He was looking for a comfy work-from-home garment suited for the Summer heat. The fabric is cool and the leg slits make for good ventilation. My only regret is that is doesn't have pockets for his keys and wallet. Adding them would make for unsightly bulges in this fabric. If I can source a linen he loves, I will make another with pockets for him. The pockets in a woven fabric will lay better.

The raglan sleeve of this pattern made it easy to sew and fit. Dr. Thanks has been spending time at the gym. I appreciated not having to work a set-in sleeve around his shoulders and biceps.