After scouring countless kaftan sewing patterns, we curated the best 18 options in this blog post. 3 of them are free! We included easy styles, short and long versions, and interesting necklines. Dive in to discover the best kaftan patterns that suit your style and skill level.
Contents list:
Free kaftan patterns:
DIY kaftan with side splits
Make now from The Stitch Sisters with Video Tutorial – FREE
- Sizes: 6-22. Bust. 30.5 – 47” / 77.7 – 120 cm
- Design: Midi length kaftan. V neck. Centre front seam. Wide, short sleeves. Waist belt. Side vents.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton or linen blends, rayon or viscose.
- Format: No pattern. The kaftan is constructed from three rectangles. Measurements for each size are provided in the blog post.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident beginner with a little previous sewing experience. A complete beginner might struggle with some techniques such as sewing the bias bound neckline finish.
Easy kaftan dress with asymmetrical hem
Make now from Gina Michelle – FREE
- Sizes: One size.
- Design: Knee length kaftan. V neck. Centre front seam. Long, wide, floaty sleeves. Asymmetrical hem. Optional pom pom trim.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric with some drape. For example, rayon, challis, crepe or viscose. Lightweight cotton or linen blends.
- Format: No pattern. Measurements for cutting the fabric are provided in the blog post.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident beginner with some sewing experience. The instructions are vague but the dress is very simply constructed so would make a great practice project for a beginner wanting to improve their skills.
Short kaftan dress with V neck
Make now from Creative Fashion Blog with Video tutorial – FREE
- Sizes: XS-XL.
- Design: Short length kaftan. V neck. Bias bound finish. Rounded hem. Sleeves are created within the side seams. Sash belt. Buttonholes for threading sash.
- Fabric: An old curtain is suggested. Other light to medium weight fabrics could be used such as cotton or linen blends, viscose or rayon.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. Instructions are included in the blog post.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident to advanced beginner with some experience. A complete beginner might struggle with some of the fiddly techniques such as bias binding and buttonhole creation.
Easy kaftan patterns for beginners:
B6683 Misses tunic caftan with neckline variations
Buy now from Simplicity – $13.97
- Sizes: US XS-XXL. Bust. 30.5 – 46” / 78 – 117 cm.
- Design: Tunic style caftan. Loose fitting. Squared V neck. Wide dropped shoulder formed sleeves. Optional yoke detail with gathered front. Optional faced neckline. Optional patch pockets.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, gauze, georgette, silk, challis.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. A0 copy shop file. Paper pattern. Instructions are included with all options.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The pattern level is rated ‘easy’ suggesting it is beginner level. Some experience would be helpful for sewing the binding and facings.
S8657 Misses caftan with style variations
Buy now from Jaycotts – £12.99 (approx $14.67)
- Sizes: US XS-XXL. Bust. 30.5 – 48” / 78 – 122 cm.
- Design: Simple style caftan dress. Centre front and back seams. V neck at back and front. Grown on, dropped sleeves. Optional tie back. Optional trimmings and sleeve cuffs. Side vents.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton or linen blends, chambray, gauze,batiks, challis.
- Format: Paper pattern. Instructions are included in the pattern envelope.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The pattern level is rated ‘easy’. The style of the dress is very simple with minimal pattern pieces. The pattern can be hacked for a more confident beginner to experiment with different finishes and looks.
Comfortable caftan dress with centre front seam detail
Buy now from Etsy – £7.09 (Approx $9.05)
- Sizes: UK XS-8XL. Bust. 31 – 59.5” / 79 – 151 cm.
- Design: Oversized, comfortable caftan dress. Centre front seam. V neckline. Back neckline facing. Dropped sleeves.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit or woven fabric. For example, cotton or linen blends, light denim, rayon or silk. Knits such as viscose or bamboo jersey, interlock or double knit.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. Instructions are included in the download.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The caftan is simple in style and includes minimal pattern pieces. Some sewing experience might be helpful for managing the facings but otherwise this would be a great practice pattern for a beginner wanting to learn.
B6559 misses top and tunic caftan
Buy now from Simplicity – $13.97
- Sizes: US XS-XXL. Bust. 30.5 – 48” / 78 – 122 cm.
- Design: Loose fitting tunic caftan. V neckline. Dropped sleeves. Optional drawstring belted waist. Optional neck tie. Optional neck yoke. Optional rounded hem.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton or linen blends, silks, challis.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. A0 copy shop file. Paper pattern. Instructions are included with all options.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The pattern level is rated ‘easy’. The basic V neck caftan top would be a great beginner sewing pattern with options to build on skills as confidence grows.
Modern kaftan patterns:
Minimalist kaftan dress with asymmetrical seams
Buy now from The Assembly Line – £16.19 (approx $20.66)+
- Sizes: UK XS-3XL. Bust (finished garment). 63 – 75” / 160 – 190 cm
- Design: Loose fitting caftan. Front and back V neck. Asymmetrical panel detail. Slant pockets. Back box pleat. Dropped sleeves.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton or linen blends, viscose, rayon or challis.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. A0 copy shop file. Paper pattern available at additional cost. Instructions are included with all options.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The pattern level is rated ‘advanced beginner’ suggesting some experience is helpful. A complete beginner might struggle with some aspects of the dress such as sewing the box pleat and pockets.
M8413 misses caftan with drawstring ruching detail
Buy now from Simplicity – $15.37
- Sizes: US 8-26. Bust. 31.5 – 48” / 80 – 122 cm
- Design: Close fitting caftan. V neckline. Dolman sleeves. Centre front and back seams. Ruched front drawstring. Two length options.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric with drape. For example,challis, georgette, crepe or stable knits.
- Format: Paper pattern. Instructions are included in the pattern envelope.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The pattern level is rated ‘very easy’. Some experience might be helpful for constructing the drawstring channels and sewing the narrow ties.
Farida kaftan dress with keyhole necktie
Buy now from Etsy – £9.06 (approx $11.56)
- Sizes: XXS-5XL. US 2-20
- Design: Loose fitting, drapey kaftan dress. Dropped sleeves. Round keyhole neckline. Bias binding finish extending to neck ties.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric with drape. For example,challis, georgette, rayon, crepe or silk.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. A0 copy shop file. Instructions are included with all options.
- Suitable for beginners? No. The pattern level is rated ‘medium/advanced’. A beginner would struggle with bias binding the keyhole neckline and sewing the ties which can be fiddly.
S9323 misses caftan with neckline and length variations
Buy now from Simplicity – $15.37
- Sizes: US XS-XL. Bust. 30.5-46” / 78-117 cm.
- Design: Loose fitting, drapey kaftan dress. Curved hem. Dropped sleeves. V neck. Optional cut-a-way. Optional waist tie belt.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric with drape. For example,cotton blends, rayon or silk.
- Format: Paper pattern. Instructions are included in the pattern envelope.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident, advanced beginner with some sewing experience. A complete beginner might struggle with the amount fo fabric involved and sewing the cut-a-way.
V-neck kaftans:
Resort kaftan with waistband
Buy now from Folkwear – £17.00 (approx $21.70)+
- Sizes: XS – 3XL. Bust. 30.5-54” / 78 – 137 cm
- Design: Maxi length kaftan dress. V neck. Empire waist. Short sleeves. Optional inside ties. Centre front and back seam.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, silk, cotton gauze, voile, lawn, silk/cotton blends, handkerchief linen, rayon challis, Tencel.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. A0 copy shop file. Paper pattern available at additional cost. Instructions are included with all options
- Suitable for beginners? No. Suitable for an intermediate level sewist. A complete beginner would struggle with sewing the empire waistband. Sewalongs are available on the blog to help with construction.
Charlie caftan with length variations
Buy now from Closet Core – $16.00+
- Sizes: US 0-32. Bust. 31- 60” / 79 – 152.5 cm.
- Design: Semi fitted caftan dress. Deep V neck. Faced finish. Dolman sleeves. Insert centre panel. In seam pockets. Optional gathering to the bodice. Optional waist tie. Side slits. Wide or high cut sleeves.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, linen, chambray, tencel, linen, silk, chiffon, rayon challis, crepe de chine, batiste and voile.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. A0 copy shop file. Paper pattern available at additional cost. Instructions are included with all options
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The pattern level is rated ‘confident beginner’. Suitable for a beginner with some previous sewing experience. A complete beginner might struggle with the facing and insert centre panel.
B5652 misses V neck maxi caftan
Buy now from Simplicity – $13.27
- Sizes: US 4-26. Bust. 29.5- 48” / 75 – 122 cm.
- Design: Maxi length caftan dress. V neck. Option for dropped shoulder or wide sleeves. Optional patch pockets. Centre front seam.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven or knit fabric. For example, lightweight broadcloth, crepe de chine, viscose jersey.
- Format: Paper pattern. Instructions are included in the pattern envelope.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. This would be a great pattern for a beginner since the style of the dress is so simple without fastenings or shaping.
Hooded kaftans:
Hooded caftan dress with V neck
Buy now from Etsy – £10.82 (approx $13.81)
- Sizes: UK L-XXL. Bust 36.2 – 45.2” / 92 – 108 cm
- Design: Midi length caftan dress. V neck. Hood with drawstring. Cap sleeves. Side slits.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, linen or silk.
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. A0 copy shop. Instructions are included in the download
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident beginner with a little sewing experience. A complete beginner might struggle with sewing the hood without any previous sewing knowledge.
Vintage kaftans:
V1886 Vogue vintage 1970s caftan dress
Buy now from Simplicity – $22.40
- Sizes: US XS-XXL. Bust 30.5 – 48” / 78 – 122 cm
- Design: Vintage 1970s caftan dress. Maxi length. High front neck. Low scoop back neck. Side panels. Curved side seams form sleeves. Buttonholes for optional drawstring waist belt.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, crepe de chine, crepe, batiste, viscose, challis
- Format: Paper pattern. Instructions are included in the pattern envelope.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident beginner with a little experience. A complete beginner might struggle with handling the amount of drapey fabric involved.
S8505 simplicity misses caftans with style variations
Buy now from Minerva – £12.50 (approx $15.95)
- Sizes: US S-L. Bust 32.5 – 42” / 83 – 107 cm
- Design: Vintage 1970s caftan dresses. Maxi length. View A. High round neck. Kimono sleeves. Front slit. Zip closure. Optional trimmings. View B. V neckline. Loop closure. Empire waist. Inside ties. Dropped sleeves.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, batiste, cotton, linen, crepe, silk.
- Format: Paper pattern. Instructions are included in the pattern envelope.
- Suitable for beginners? No. Suitable for intermediate level sewists with some experience. A complete beginner would struggle with the zip closure and fitting the empire waistband.
Kaftans for men:
B6748 men’s pullover caftan with pockets
Buy now from Simplicity – $14.67
- Sizes: US S-XXXL. Chest. 34-56” / 87-142.5 cm.
- Design: Very loose fitting caftan. Pullover. Dropped shoulders. Neckline slit. Short or elbow length sleeves. Front patch pockets. Side slits. Optional trims.
- Fabric: Medium weight woven fabric. For example, broadcloth, jacquards, satins
- Format: PDF print at home digital download in A4 or US letter size. A0 copy shop file. Paper pattern. Instructions are included with all options.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident, advanced beginner with some sewing experience. A complete beginner might struggle with the neckline slit and facing since these can be fiddly to sew.
Quick questions:
How much fabric do I need to sew a kaftan?
Depending on the style of the kaftan, the fabric required can be between approximately 2.5 – 4 yards. Kaftans can require wide widths of fabric since the sleeves are often incorporated into the side seams.
What are the defining features of a kaftan?
Caftans are often tunic or robe like in style, often with ‘grown on’ dolman sleeves (meaning that the sleeves are extended from the side seams rather than inserted separately). Kaftans are often worn long to the ankles.
What fabrics are used for kaftans?
Wool, cashmere, silk or cotton were traditionally used for kaftans. Nowadays, kaftans are often sewn from cotton or linen blends or more drapey fabrics such as viscose, rayon or crepe.
Where do kaftans originate from?
Kaftans originate from Asia where they were worn open as a coat or in warm climates as a loose fitting tunic or dress.
Sally Gauntlett (author)
Sally started sewing as a child. In 2008, she started a handmade business selling personalized gifts and homeware. She then became a sewing content creator, sharing her makes on Youtube and Instagram. Read more…