A few weeks ago Simple Simon & Co had a fun series using vintage patterns. The idea was to find an “ugly duckling” pattern in your sewing stash. Some of the patterns people found were hysterical. It’s amazing what styles were EVER in fashion. In searching, I found a choice pattern in my bag of patterns from a neighbor that cracked me up.
Seriously, a vest attached to pants? I swear my younger sister (not this sister – she’s the older one) would have lived in one of those in elementary school, if only for comfort. If the pants had been stirrup then she might still be wearing them now hehe. But I digress…
I thought if I took the pattern and made a cute bubble short and adjusted the buttons it might be a nice fit for Bean. Part of the series had guest bloggers doing just that: making a swan out of an ugly duckling.
So I cut everything out of a scrap of green distressed denim I had, made the adjustments I wanted, and lined it with an old men’s shirt. I think it turned out cute. I had to pair it with a turtle neck I made in the fall since it was still freezing cold when I took these pictures, but I think with a little pink tank it’d be adorable.
I had the buttons follow the front edge of the vest to deemphasize the ridiculous heart shaped waistline.
I also love it paired with a belt. Keep in mind, that a girl the age of the one on the front of the pattern itself would STILL look ridiculous even in this version. I think the cuteness comes mainly from it being so bubbly on a toddler.
Of course the outfit was finished the night before the series ended, but I didn’t have a chance to take the pictures until the next morning. Now it’s been almost three weeks and I’m just getting the chance to post. Hehe, life with a toddler.
In other news, it is GORGEOUS here in Maryland this week. We are spending as much time outside as possible. I figure we have about a month or so before the humidity has us begging for cold weather again, hehe.
As usual, linking up to:
Haha! I love it with the belt. It really does look adorable on her, but you are so right about the age! I'm sure my 3 year old could pull it off, but it would look ridiculous on my 4 and 6 year olds. 😀
Turning this into a jumper with bubble shorts was brilliant!
I like the color choice to. And your right—you little girl can totally pull this off but the girls on the cover…….
liZ
Oh God I forgot about e-ster's love of the stirrup pant.
And the heart shaped waistline. That was a brilliant design that was meant to keep boys away from girls for eternity.
Your revised version is cute and I swear it looks like corduroy.
Haha…I saw some of that series. I LOVE this, I would put it on my little one. Love bubble shorts on babes. The original pattern though…oh my. Vest attached to pants is cracking me up!!!
~Monica
This is so cute! I love what you did with the "ugly" pattern! Maybe I have bad taste, but I think the dress on the pattern cover is kind of cute 🙂
Bubble shorts on a toddler are the most sweetest sight! You've definitely turned this ugly duckling pattern in to a swan.:)
Adorable! Love the transformation!
Oh my goodness are those cute!! I would love you to come join my Pin Me Linky Party that starts Friday morning at 8am CST. I allow up to 3 links each week!
I caught a little bit of this series- I think the crazy patterns were only topped by the cover "art" and "styling" on them. You made a great transition. They're very cute on her!
Cute jumper! Love that green! Thanks for sharing @ Submarine Sunday!
T'onna
I love it! I love the simple Simon ugly pattern series too- that's where I first found your blog. I hope they do it again!!