Thread: Caftan pattern for coverup?: McCall's M5855

Is this new? Has anyone tried it?

It looks pretty basic, but worth the $.99 I just paid at Hancocks for the facing parts of the pattern. It's in the shirt section of the pattern book, not the dress or nightie section, if you want to look for yourself.

McCall's M5855

Originally Posted by da Sage

Is this new? Has anyone tried it?

It looks pretty basic, but worth the $.99 I just paid at Hancocks for the facing parts of the pattern. It's in the shirt section of the pattern book, not the dress or nightie section, if you want to look for yourself.

McCall's M5855

I got one at the last Hancock's sale, too. I think it is a fairly new addition to their catalog. Mostly I bought it because I was hoping to modify it to copy this old Souad Hosni look:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lAyasNXTnY&NR=1]YouTube - ‫سعاد Ø*سني بانو بانو‬‎[/ame]

I haven't tried it yet, but if M5855 is anything like M4002 (McCallPattern - M4002 - MISSES' & MEN'S TUNICS, CAFTANS, PANTS, LINED HAT & HEAD-WRAP - 4002), I expect it will run awfully large and boxy. When I do make up M5855, I'll do it on $1-a-yard bargain fabric first, just in case I have to do a lot of reverse engineering to prevent it from looking like a potato sack.

Yeah, you may want to search for some stretch/knit fabric in a 45-60' width. Not knowing your frame, if you are not petite I would say try to find something in a 60" width so you have some room to cut the fringe.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I got one at the last Hancock's sale, too. I think it is a fairly new addition to their catalog. Mostly I bought it because I was hoping to modify it to copy this old Souad Hosni look:
YouTube - ‫سعاد Ø*سني بانو بانو‬‎

I haven't tried it yet, but if M5855 is anything like M4002 (McCallPattern - M4002 - MISSES' & MEN'S TUNICS, CAFTANS, PANTS, LINED HAT & HEAD-WRAP - 4002), I expect it will run awfully large and boxy. When I do make up M5855, I'll do it on $1-a-yard bargain fabric first, just in case I have to do a lot of reverse engineering to prevent it from looking like a potato sack.

Awww, I want one too! Great vid clip!

The pattern itself calls for lightweight wovens with soft drape (crepe, georgette, etc.) in 45" or 60", but it doesn't have self fringe like the dress in the video. You would definitely need the wider width for that, but I don't suppose there would be any reason why you couldn't fringe with something else like crocheted coin or paillette edging or even tied tassels of rayon chainette.

Actually I have a piece of 60" wide fabric in mind that's already in my stash. It's a loose jersey mesh, tomato red and orange with a black paisley/Indian/Middle Eastern motif stamped on top of it in horizontal stripes. I'd probably have to make some adjustments to the pattern, but I like the idea of the sheer knit. With a Sugar Petals leotard or harem pants and crop top underneath, you could still get a sense of the body shape and movement. I'm afraid using an opaque fabric would hide too much for dancing (although Souad works it admirably). Something less transparent might be nice for a cover up, though.

I just made the blouses from this pattern a couple of months ago. Not sure when it came out, but I purchased mine in March. It is also nice because it comes in large sizes. I made this for after baby wear. Now they are too big, and it was easy to adjust. I love them and great for the summer heat.

Very easy!

I just don't like using the interfacing with the sheer fabric, and it worked out fine.

Does Souad's have seams up the sides that help define her body? I've seen caftans that were basically a big rectangle with an opening for the head and seams up the sides alongside the body, stopping where you want the "sleeves" to begin.

Originally Posted by dunyah

Does Souad's have seams up the sides that help define her body? I've seen caftans that were basically a big rectangle with an opening for the head and seams up the sides alongside the body, stopping where you want the "sleeves" to begin.

I don't think we ever reached a consensus on whether it was simply seamed to be form fitting or if it was a more complicated construction. Original discussion is here: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...eat-dress.html

There is definitely a gusset-looking piece in there under the arm on Soad's dress (looks like it may be elasticized at the armhole) - it is the same material as the dress but its basic construction may be separate from the actual dress (perhaps a bodysuit, may or may not be tacked to the dress at certain points?).

-Devora

I have one and it's great!