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Ugly Duckling Jumper

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:
I Heart Nap Time The Chicken Chick Sew Chatty Photobucket  photo blogbutton_zpsb1fa0f6d.jpg Happy Hour Projects Photobucket

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Zafarani

    April 10, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    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. 😀

    Reply
  2. Simple Simon & Co

    April 10, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    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

    Reply
  3. Sparkling

    April 11, 2013 at 2:44 am

    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.

    Reply
  4. Adirondack Inspired

    April 11, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    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

    Reply
  5. Tin Marsh

    April 11, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  6. Cindy

    April 11, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Bubble shorts on a toddler are the most sweetest sight! You've definitely turned this ugly duckling pattern in to a swan.:)

    Reply
  7. Olga (Kid Approved)

    April 11, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Adorable! Love the transformation!

    Reply
  8. Diana - FreeStyleMama

    April 12, 2013 at 12:29 am

    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!

    Reply
  9. OnceUpona Sew

    April 12, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    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!

    Reply
  10. Navy Wifey Peters @ USS Crafty

    April 15, 2013 at 1:43 am

    Cute jumper! Love that green! Thanks for sharing @ Submarine Sunday!

    T'onna

    Reply
  11. amy mayen

    April 15, 2013 at 10:29 am

    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!!

    Reply

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