When it comes to creating my wardrobe, nothing beats a flowy, lightweight dress that’s both stylish and comfortable. I recently had the pleasure of working on the cutest Tempo Sundress using the most amazing Sunflower Viscose Challis from Minerva. The fabric is even more vibrant in person than it appears online, and I’m absolutely in love with how it turned out!

Why the Tempo Sundress is a Wardrobe Essential

The Tempo Sundress from Love Notions is the ideal pattern for hot days. It’s designed for woven fabrics, featuring a soft V-neckline, thick straps to conceal bra straps, and a two-tier skirt for an effortlessly elegant look. One of the best features is the in-seam pockets, anchored at the waistline for added security.

This versatile pattern also includes options for sleeves. You can choose between flutter sleeves or add some elastic or shirring to create a puff sleeve.

The back panel can be either shirred or elasticated, making it easy to fit and comfortable to wear. The dress comes in two lengths: a knee-length version for casual outings and a midi length for a more dressed-up look. I decided to go for the midi version, and it’s perfect for everything from beach days to casual strolls in the park.

You can find the Tempo Sundress pattern for both ladies and girls through these links:

• Tempo Sundress for Ladies
• Tempo Sundress for Girls

My Love for the Sunflower Viscose Challis

This fabric was practically begging to be made into a flowy dress. The Sunflower Viscose Challis from Minerva is absolutely stunning! It moves and drapes beautifully over the body and feels luxurious on the skin. One thing to note is that viscose challis can be a bit tricky to cut out due to its shiftiness, so I highly recommend using a cutting mat and rotary cutter for more accuracy. If you love this fabric too you can get a 10% discount on your Minerva order by simply using code MSS243KM

After pre-washing the fabric and drying it on low heat, I noticed minimal wrinkles and very little shrinkage. It ironed smoothly and sewed up wonderfully, making it an absolute dream to work with.

For this midi-length version of the Tempo Sundress, I used about 3 yards of fabric. I did end up using a matching turquoise fabric for the pockets and the inside of the shirred panel to give them more structure. As a bonus, I had enough leftover fabric to make my husband a matching tie, which is one of my favorite things to do with fabric remnants.

Flutter Sleeves or Puff Sleeves?

Initially, I made the dress with flutter sleeves, which gave it a breezy, effortless look. But after wearing it a few times, I had a change of heart and decided to add elastic to the hem of the sleeves for a puff sleeve look instead. I’m still torn between the two styles, but for now, the puff sleeves have my heart!

A Sewing Journey Worth Sharing

This is actually my second Tempo Sundress using fabric from Minerva, and both were made out of Sunflower Fabric. You can check out my first sunflower Tempo Dress here. 

I still haven’t ventured into shirring. I always opt for the elasticated back, which, in my opinion, looks just like shirring but without the extra work. Maybe one day I’ll try shirring, but for now, I’m happy with the easy elasticated version!

The Tempo Sundress is a joy to sew and wear, and with the vibrant Sunflower Viscose Challis, it has quickly become one of my favorite pieces. Whether you’re sewing for yourself or your little one, this dress pattern offers endless possibilities for customization and creativity. Plus, matching accessories like a tie for your partner is just an added bonus!

You can check out some other things I’ve made from the Tempo Pattern here and some cute overalls here.  You can also just use the new Tempo sleeve addition to add a cute puffy sleeve to your t-shirt like I did here.

Happy sewing!