From the SPS Vault: The Jersey Dress with Tassels

The SPS database’s Buenos Aries Collection Jersey Dress with Tassels isn’t just a knit dress — it’s a tunic-inspired silhouette with a whisper of bohemian charm and a whole lot of everyday elegance.

This design leans into relaxed structure. It skims the body instead of clinging. The horizontal trim detail and tasseled neckline give it that subtle artisan feel — the kind of piece that looks collected, not manufactured.

It has that effortless “I found this in a tucked-away boutique while traveling” energy.

And yet?

It’s beautifully simple to sew.

The cut is clean.
The fit is forgiving.
The construction is straightforward.

Which means you can focus on what makes it special: fabric and texture.

We chose a luxurious bamboo knit for our sample — soft, fluid, breathable, and drapey without feeling flimsy. Bamboo gives this tunic dress a refined fluidity. It moves when you move. It breathes on hot days. And it elevates the silhouette from casual to quietly polished.

The decorative trim placement — along the neckline, armholes, and above the hip — adds that gentle bohemian detail without overwhelming the design. It’s tasteful. Intentional. Balanced.

This is the kind of dress you throw on with leather sandals and stacked bangles…
or wear barefoot on vacation…
or layer with a denim jacket when the sun dips.

Relaxed. Feminine. Classy. Easy.

And best of all?
It’s incredibly wearable.

👇 Let’s unpack what makes this tunic-style dress such a smart addition to your handmade wardrobe.

💡 Why This Pattern Works

✔️ Simple silhouette, elevated finish – Clean lines make it easy to sew, while decorative trim placement at the neckline, armholes, and hip adds instant personality.

✔️ Built for hot weather – Lightweight jersey drapes without bulk, making this ideal for travel, errands, beach days, or relaxed dinners.

✔️ Texture is the star – Slub knits, linen blends, and viscose blends transform this from basic to boutique.

✔️ Comfort with polish – With 4 cm (1.5") ease built into the pattern, it skims—not clings.

📏 Pattern Specs at a Glance

🧵 Skill Level: Confident Beginner to Advanced Beginner

👗 Silhouette: Relaxed body with horizontal hip seam and decorative trim

📐 Ease: Includes 1.5" / 4 cm ease

📏 Length (HPS to Hem):

• Size S – 86 cm / 34"

• Size M – 92 cm / 36"

• Size L – 98 cm / 38.5"

• Size XL – 104 cm / 41"

👚 Bust (Standard Body Measurement):

• S – 81 cm / 31.8"

• M – 83 cm / 32.6"

• L – 87 cm / 34.2"

• XL – 85 cm / 33.4"

👖 Hip (Standard Body Measurement):

• S – 96 cm / 37.7"

• M – 102 cm / 40.1"

• L – 108 cm / 42.5"

• XL – 114 cm / 44.8"

✂️ Yardage (60” / 152 cm wide fabric):

• Size S – 60" x 43.3" (152 cm x 110 cm)

• Size M – 60" x 44.4" (152 cm x 113 cm)

• Size L – 60" x 45.6" (152 cm x 116 cm)

• Size XL – 60" x 47.2" (152 cm x 120 cm)

🪡 Needles & Thread:

• Needle: 70–80 Ballpoint or Jersey

• Thread: 40–30 wt

🧷 Seam Allowances Included

• 0.78” / 2 cm (neckline, armhole, shoulders, sleeves, laterals)

• 0.19” / 0.5 cm (sleeve cuff and hem)
  ✔️ Do NOT add seam allowance

🌟Perfect Pairing for Everyday Adventure

Elevate every version of the Jersey Dress with Tassels with a relaxed yet intentional shoe choice. Think soft leather sandals, woven slides, or even minimalist espadrilles for that understated boho polish. On cooler evenings, slip into ankle boots and layer with a light jacket for an easy transition into fall.

A supple flat sandal is especially beautiful with this silhouette — it keeps the look grounded while letting the trim and tassel details shine. Add stacked bracelets or a woven tote, and suddenly this simple tunic dress feels styled, not just worn.

When you step into this outfit, you’re not trying too hard — you’re just effortlessly put together.

📈 Don’t wait — the Jersey Dress with Tassels is the kind of quick, satisfying sew that pays off all season long. And the best part? Change the knit, change the trim, adjust the tassels — and each version feels like an entirely new dress with its own personality.

🌿 Effortless to Construct. Beautiful to Wear.

This dress is one of those satisfying projects where the construction flows logically and cleanly from start to finish. No hidden closures. No complicated shaping. No fussy fitting steps. Just smart sequencing and beautifully simple seams.

The bodice begins by joining the shoulders — instantly giving structure to the neckline and allowing the trim detail to become the focal point early in the process. Because this is a knit design, there’s no need for darts or intricate shaping; the fabric does the gentle contouring for you. The included ease (1.5" / 4 cm) ensures the dress skims comfortably without clinging.

The neckline construction is especially approachable. The decorative trim is topstitched directly onto the neckline edge, creating a framed detail that feels intentional and designer-inspired. The collar ties are constructed as simple tubes, turned right side out, and enclosed neatly into the facing seam — no complicated binding or placket work required. The facings are sewn together at the shoulders, finished along the outer edge, then attached cleanly to the neckline. A press and topstitch secure everything in place, resulting in a polished interior finish without bulk.

From there, the trim placement continues at the armholes and along the horizontal seam above the hip. This step adds visual interest without adding construction complexity. It’s simply precise topstitching — approachable even for a confident beginner.

The sleeves are set in using a straightforward knit method — no easing headaches, no gathers. Because the fabric has stretch, it cooperates beautifully as you sew. The bottom tier attaches smoothly to the bodice, reinforcing the tunic-style silhouette and giving the dress its relaxed drape.

Once the sleeves and side seams are sewn in one continuous pass — from wrist to hem — the structure of the dress is complete. The final hems are finished with a simple serger or zig-zag stitch, folded, and stitched down for a clean, professional edge.

That’s it.

No zippers.
No buttonholes.
No lining.

Just thoughtful trim placement, simple seam work, and soft knit handling.

It’s the kind of project that feels light in your hands while you sew it — and even lighter when you wear it.

🧶 Fabric Picks That Do the Work (So You Don’t Have To)

Your fabric should do as much heavy lifting as the simple design.

To achieve the same soft drape and relaxed movement shown in our sample, choose a lightweight jersey knit that is opaque and made from natural or regenerated fibers, without elastane.

We used a lightweight bamboo slub jersey with no elastane. The absence of elastane allows the fabric to fall fluidly rather than cling, which is what gives this dress its easy, tunic-style silhouette.

Look for knits that are:

• Lightweight but not sheer

• Soft with fluid drape

• Opaque due to fiber content and dye saturation (or wear a slip or over bathing suit)

• Free from added spandex/elastane

There are a few lightweight lyocell or Tencel jerseys that can work beautifully, but always order swatches first. Hand feel and recovery vary significantly between mills, and you want something that drapes rather than snaps back tightly to the body.

When searching, use terms like:
“lightweight bamboo jersey no elastane”
“slub knit natural fiber”
“lightweight Tencel jersey no spandex”

The fabric choice truly determines whether this dress reads relaxed bohemian or subtly refined — so take a moment to choose well.

✅ Linen Jersey
✅ Cotton Jersey
✅ Cotton/Linen Blends
✅ Viscose/Linen Blends
✅ Slub Knit
✅ Bamboo Knit

💡 Designer Tip: This dress becomes exceptional when the knit has visible texture or sheen. Color and surface interest are your secret weapon here.

🪡 Notions, Finishing Techniques

• Chinlon trim (approx. 1.5 cm wide, about 350 cm total length)

• Optional: cotton cords or tassels for ties

• Serger or zig-zag stitch for knit finishing

✨ Final Stitch: Your Mood. Your Version.

Here’s what makes this dress special — it becomes whatever you want it to be. Bohemian with tassels and texture. Simple and clean in a solid bamboo knit. Subtle and refined with understated trim.

It’s easy to sew. Easy to fit. Easy to live in.

👇 Make it yours.

Happy Sewing!!!

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