I don’t really know what constitutes a ‘kaftan’ but I do know what one look likes. And I do know how to make one. I also know it is very easy to do so. And that they are versatile. I also know that Bess should make one to try out her new sewing machine.
You need two yards of light stretchy fabric. I used a gauzy jersey that I found on clearance. I also used about 3.5 yards of 3″ fringe trim.
Fold the fabric in half and cut to a 39″x32″ rectangle.

Cut the neckline however you want. I did a deep V in the front, and straight across the back. 8″ in on each side run a straight stitch up 20″. If necessary, hem all edges, although with jersey, you don’t absolutely have to. I hemmed the side edges before sewing on the fringe for a cleaner look.

This project can easily be shortened for a tunic or lengthened for a longer dress.

Hi. I know, I know. Sorry. DIY to win you back? Sound good? Yes? Wonderful!
I pretty much lack all inhibition when it comes to cutting stuff up before I think let alone have a plan. This can be intimidating when it comes to being concerned about ruining an item, I get it. I have gotten alot of messages and comments about my Luxury Jones DIY and even have sold several on my Etsy and through special request emails. Peoples main concern is ruining a pair of boots and having the final product not quite turn out. Totally understand. Because of this I decided to make a removable piece that will spice up a pair of boots. I have these boots from Target that are plain, very comfortable, inexpensive, black suede boots, but any boots will work for this.
You will need:
Jumprings
Leather, suede or material of choice
Chains or decorations
Buttons
Crop-a-dile or needle and thread

1. Cut leather, suede or material of choice into two 11″ strips, two 9″ strips and two 8″ strips. I wear a size 9 shoe so adjust slightly for a smaller or larger shoe size.

2. I used my Crop-a-dile to make eyelets to attach the leather, but a needle and thread will work wonderfully. The 11″ strip is to the right, the 9″ strip on the bottom and the 8″ strip is to the left and I folded about a half inch at the end around a key chain ring and attached.

3. Laying the keychain ring on the outside of the boot, with the longest strip facing the front, wrap the other two strips around the back of the boot and under the heel. Connect with eyelet or needle and thread so they make a 90° angle.

4. On the longest, front strap, fasten a small button on the underside and cut a button hole about 3 inches down from that. Velcro would also work here.

When you wrap the strap around and loop it through other straps, it will look like this.

5. Attach chains with jumprings.

CUTE! Now my boots can look plain or fancy-pants! Remember when you are making the harness for the opposite foot to reverse the order of the lengths of the strips in step 2. Have the long 11″ strip to the left and the 8″ strip to the right.
I also snazzed up this other boot harness using the same techniques with some fun leather buttons I found at the craft store.

My favorite purse in all the land is a gem of a suede-y fringe-y masterpiece I found super clearance at T.J. Maxx. It is made by Steve Madden and if I could find it sold anywhere else I would buy 10 of them to stock up. I wear it to death and thrash it like I do anything I love. It has held up amazingly but I fear the day that it simply can not handle my mistreatment anymore. I have been meaning to recreate it since the day I got it but good suede is sometimes hard to come by and I have never felt comfortable purchasing fabrics online. At my local thrifting hotspot the other day I found this impressive floor length black suede skirt for $5. I bought it thinking I would turn it into a fun mini skirt.

Once I got home, I realized, oh yeahhhh, I don’t wear skirts, so I figured it to be a perfect opportunity to turn it into a black replica of my beloved. Now, usually anything large and suede is actually made up of lots of patches, so the first step is to cut apart the patches.

Next, using regular computer paper, make your patterns. You need two of the smaller shapes and one that is a little bigger. Two smaller rectangles, or one larger rectangle that is at least as long as the length of the curved edge of the two smaller shapes. I had to use two smaller rectangles and sew them together to make one larger rectangle because my patches weren’t big. For the strap I cut three more of these rectangles.

You will probably want a liner for this purse and the skirt I used had a liner material so I cut the same shapes out for the liner. The liner you want to make inside out so the seams are on the inside of the purse. Using the two smaller shapes and the strip, I constructed the liner.

Next, sew the strip of suede and one of the shapes together. I used a specialty leather needle for my machine and heavy duty thread. Take an additional large rectangle the same size and the width rectangle strip and cut it to make fringe. Leave an inch or so at the top so that it stays as one piece of fabric.

The next step is a little difficult to explain. Sandwich the fringe between the final curved shape and the width rectangle, making sure to have the fringe in correct direction so when you flip the purse right side out, the fringe is on the outside.

Sew the liner in the purse so that the seam is on the inside. Flip the liner back in to the purse and hand sew close.

Here is another picture of the outside so show you the sandwich of the fringe again. Notice I sewed above the inch margin I left so it looks like it was individual fringes sewn on.

Sew the larger curve shape on so that it is the flap that closes the purse and attach your strap. Because suede stretches, I sewed a canvas strap on to the inside of the strap to reinforce it.

I also added suede lace whip stitch around the perimeter of the flap. All done!