Three Easy Summer Caftans for Sun-Soaked Days

There’s nothing better than a breezy, beautiful caftan when the heat cranks up—and today’s post is all about easy summer caftans you can sew yourself. I’m joined by my right-hand gal (and beginner sewist!) Jenni, who recently made three different caftans to create the ultimate poolside wardrobe. Whether you’re looking for a fun swimsuit cover-up or a lightweight dress to beat the heat, these projects are simple, stylish, and full of personality. Jenni shares what she learned along the way and how adding a few special touches made each caftan truly one-of-a-kind. You can watch the video here: 

The Fabric

The idea started with a gift—eight yards of a bold, psychedelic knit fabric that was beautiful but not quite the right color for its original owner. We decided the best use for this vibrant yardage would be poolside caftans, especially since we’re lucky enough to have a good friend with a pool. Jenni chose three patterns from Pattern Emporium that, while designed for wovens, could be adapted for knits with a little creativity.

Amanda’s Crocheted-Trim Calypso Caftan

The first caftan Jenni made was for our friend Amanda, using the Pattern Emporium Calypso Kaftan* pattern. Amanda is petite, and Jenni sewed a size medium using the scoop neck, ¾ sleeve, a curved hem, dress length, and an elastic waist. To make it extra special, Jenni crocheted her own trim using a cotton-linen yarn blend in a rich lagoon blue that matched perfectly. She made seven yards of this trim by hand following this YouTube tutorial, then sewed it along the edges for a durable, beautiful finish. Amanda looked adorable in it, and it was such a sweet way to give her something handmade and functional for summer.

Whitney’s Pom-Pom Trimmed Sunkissed Caftan

Next up was my caftan using the Pattern Emporium Sun-Kissed Kaftan* pattern, which we styled with a Mrs. Roper vibe in mind. Jenni made it with the half sleeve and maxi length, choosing the mid V-neck option. The fabric was so bold that we actually sewed the neckline band to the inside for a more subtle look. Because the knit was heavy and drapey, the V-neck ended up plunging a bit more than expected—something to note if you're using similar fabric! For a fun flourish, Jenni raided my stash and found just enough lime green pom-pom trim to edge the hem. I opted not to include a waistline or elastic, which made the caftan feel loose, breezy, and effortless—perfect for floating around the pool with a fruity drink in hand.

Jenni’s Bias-Tape Finished Summer Breeze Dress

The third and final caftan was for Jenni herself. She used the Pattern Emporium Summer Breeze Dress* pattern and made the maxi version with drawstring shoulders and an elastic waist. This pattern features a V-neck in both the front and back, and Jenni added bias tape from my stash to finish the neckline beautifully. The tape matched the blue tones in the fabric exactly, and the drawstrings allow her to adjust how much shoulder coverage she wants. Jenni loved how comfortable and cute it felt, and she could easily throw it on to run errands after pool time without feeling underdressed. Despite usually avoiding the sun, she was all in on wearing this sleeveless style—and looked fabulous doing it!

All three of these garments were a joy to make and sew up surprisingly fast. Jenni completed all three, including cutting, in just two days! They’re great for beginners and would make wonderful gifts or matching outfits for a girls’ trip or family gathering. Each caftan included a special detail—trim, crochet, or bias tape—that made it unique and meaningful. And while we used knit fabric, these patterns would also work beautifully in drapey wovens like rayon or lightweight cotton lawn.

Jenni’s sewing confidence is growing fast, and these easy summer caftans were a huge win on her learning journey. She got to use all the machines—sewing machine, serger, and coverstitch—and even discovered a new favorite trick: using rainbow variegated thread* in the serger for a joyful pop of color on the inside. It won’t work for every project, but for summer makes like these, it’s a fun surprise that only the sewist sees.

If you're feeling inspired but nervous about working with knits, don’t forget we have a Knit Sewing Essentials class and a free eBook available. These resources walk you through everything from sewing on a regular machine to using sergers and coverstitch machines, and include tips for necklines, hemming, and working with stretch. 

Whether you’re sewing for yourself, a friend, or a summer event, these caftans are a perfect project. Quick to make, easy to wear, and endlessly customizable—they’re everything we love about warm-weather sewing.

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