It’s not often the 11 year-old loves a piece of fabric.  When she does, I grab it and stitch it up quickly!  This crazy orange, pink, gray, black, and white piece is from HL.  It’s 100% cotton and about the weight of a cotton lawn.

This piece has a little bit of everything going on:  lots of color, white along the center, paisleys and then a more linear design along the border.  While she loved the colors, she didn’t care for the print along the border.  Neither did I.  So, when I looked for a pattern, I tried to find something that would emphasize the paisley print.  I was drawn to Simplicity 1817 for the pleats in the bodice front and the wide straps. 

The pattern is sized for girls 8-16 with half-sizes.  I cut a 12.  I also added 3 inches in the length for my tall girl.  The pattern was easy to follow and didn’t include any advanced techniques.  I laid the pattern out differently than shown, using specific parts of the fabric to get use our favorite parts of the fabric.  I needed only an extra 1/2 yard to get the look we wanted.  I didn’t use any trim, as the fabric is plenty busy.

The only change I made after her first wear:  the elastic in the bodice back was still just a tad too long, so I shortened it almost an inch!  While she is very slim, my girl is a swimmer so her shoulders and chest are broad.  She measures about a 10 in the chest on the pattern envelope, so that’s the elastic guide I’d originally used.  I’d recommend you double check that measurement if you choose to make the pattern.

If you sew for your tween/young teen, I’d recommend this pattern.  I love the fact that it’s not too mature for my 11 year-old.  It also provides adequate coverage for undergarments.