Knit Tempo Sundress

The Love Notions Tempo Sundress is a favorite in our house! We wear our old ones many times over. Remember this movie inspired dress, or the twin mom-and-me dresses.

Just one thing missing … sleeves. Now I showed you how to “wing it” with my first Tempo.

But now I’ve made another girls version in knit fabric AND added the sleeves again, this time paying more attention to the steps so I could share it with you of course!

Side note — All Love Notions patterns (minus the newly released Lenox) is on sale this week until May 5th!! Get your patterns now!
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The pattern & fabrics

Before we get started, lets talk about the pattern and fabrics

Tempo is a sundress made for wovens, with thick (bra friendly, if you are making the Woman’s version) straps. Back panel is either shirred or elasticated, requiring no closures! Hooray!

The dress hits right above the knee with an optional ruffle tier that lengthens the dress to a midi. In-seam pockets are included and are anchored at the waistline to keep them securely in place.

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Both fabrics were used to make other things in the past but they combined beautifully. Pink is cotton lycra from Raspberry Creek and the cream colored with pink stars is from Minerva, also a cotton lycra.

The modifications

Bodice

You don’t need the shirred panel in the back, the stretch of the knit fabric covers it for you. So you can cut out two fronts (on the fold) if you’re making the girls version or add half the shirred panel piece to the back bodice piece (remember to remove seam allowance here).

Straps

Reduced the width by about ⅜”. This is because we are not going to be turning the straps inside out like the instructions say, instead … we’re going to just fold it and leave the open raw edge as the side of this shoulder seam.

neckline

Finishing the neckline: Because I didn’t want to line the knit bodice, I cut a neckband that was 80% less than the neckline and stretched it to fit.

Sleeves

For the sleeves, we’re going to take a pattern that works well for you. And we just want the sleeves from that pattern. In my case, I use the sleeves from the Maggie Peplum top for girls; size 6.

I wanted to give it a little bit more gather so I did a little slash and spread technique to gather to increase the sleeve head. 

construction

Alright, so now that we have our pieces … start with the construction!

1. Interface the straps as necessary, especially if light weight fabric.
2. Fold each strap wrong sides together and stitch the raw edges.

3. Starting with the Back bodice, pin the straps similar to the instructions but, not where the notches are, rather right along the edge of the armsyce.
4. NECKBAND: Pin the center of the neckband to the center of the bodice, then stretch the ends to either end of the bodice neckline, and pin. 
5. Baste the band before using my serger to finish it.
6. Flip up and follow the instructions to pin to the front bodice, making the above changes.

7. SLEEVES: Pin the sleeves starting with the center point and work your way outwards. If you are making a gathered sleeve, sew stitch a basting line to gather the sleeve before pinning. Serge the seams to finish.
8. Once the skirts are attached, as per instructions, sew up the side seams from the sleeve to bottom hem.
9. Hem sleeves and finish the dress as per instructions.

conclusion

Pockets come with the pattern and was a must for this girl who has been complaining that lately I don’t add pockets to her dresses! 🤣

I love the contrasting straps that match with the skirt. And Lilli loves the dress too.

So if you are in need of a dress that is quick but more than the simple A-line dress (nothing wrong with those, love them too) then you should definitely try the Tempo Sundress in knit fabric.

Pin this for later!!