Friday, March 22, 2013

Ugly Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Simple Simon and Co is having a You Can't Judge An Ugly Pattern By It's Cover party right now, which I am enjoying oh-so-much.  You see,  I love me some ugly vintage patterns.  I've always had a thing for them.  I seek them out whenever I thrift shop.  I often visit a local Salvation Army that's just a treasure trove of ugly patterns.  I have a whole stash of super duper ugly patterns that I've purchased because I want to see some sort of potential.  It really is fun to giggle at some of the awful things that pattern companies have put out over the years.  Most of the time it's not the actual pattern that's terrible, but the styling on the cover.  Like this McCalls pattern from 1992.


 My first thought when I picked this one up was awesome dress for a pregnant jester.  In fact, I probably should have made this one up as a maternity dress.  But something about it drew me in.  Was it the stripe?  The buttons?  The fact that I desperately love that tent silhouette even though it doesn't always love me?  I'm thinking that this might be a really nice dress for me this summer while I'm nursing a new little bub.  I can see it in something super drape-y and maybe slightly sheer over some skinny pants.  Some nice voile or burn-out.  Anyway, the ladies at Simple Simon have invited others to link up their ugly patterns and I have thoroughly enjoyed checking out what everyone has posted.  So I'd thought I'd add a couple more.  I actually can't find my mega stash of ugly patterns right now.  It seems I've misplaced a box or two in all my nesting madness at the moment (almost 38 weeks, friends-- I am so tired of being pregnant).  But these two are pretty darn ugly, methinks.   I can usually find a redeeming quality in a sewing pattern no matter what the envelope looks like.   This one, however, I'm not so sure about.  


Will I ever need a shirt with an attached concha cape?  Maybe, just maybe.

Any ugly patterns in your stash?  Go share them over at Simple Simon and Co.

14 comments:

  1. OH MY GOSH!!! I can't stop laughing about that last pattern! That is so funny--the shirt, the styling, her jeans...and her smile. It's all just so funny! Thank you so much for linking up!
    liZ

    ps---I agree---that first pattern is ugly but I'm with you...there's some potential there....

    ps---hope all goes well with the baby coming soon!

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  2. These are HILARIOUS!! Love the second one so much! Such an ugly pattern! Even the drawings are ugly!!

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  3. Oh, that second one- I grew up doing 4-H in a small CA town with a sort-of cowboy culture, and all the fashion-conscious women had a shirt like that. Western shirt with a cutout to make it a bit sexy; tight wrangler jeans, big bangs, and a giant belt buckle to top it off. I'm actually rather fond of the pattern. I wouldn't wear it in a million years, but it brings back happy memories!

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  4. I admit: I think view C of the McCall's pattern is ADORABLE. I've never fancied wearing a tent until now. . .

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    1. Me too!!!!! I actually LOVE the McCall's view C, it would be fantastic as a summer dress, at the beach/pool with the kids (or bub in your case)! I have to admit, in my mind view A isn't too bad either! But the others are ghastly!! It must be the colour order/arrangement.
      I won't even go to the Simplicity pattern. Ugh!!

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  5. That second pattern is soooo, so terrible. Omg. It's bad. The top one has potential!

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  6. I love the first one! I would totally wear it... But not as they have it illustrated - I snorted over the pregnant jester call!! I think you should make it!

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  7. I kinda like the first one - the lady in view C looks so happy! I think you of all people could make this work.

    That Simplicity pattern is so so funny. The model looks embarrassed, and she's not even wearing the caped shirt.

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    1. She does look embarrassed! Like she's trying to cover up the ugly fringe with her hand! Lol.

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  8. Oh, wow, these are so bad! I love that you shared these! Often it seems like the ugliest patterns are the ones you would've felt coolest in at the time... I can totally imagine begging my mom to make me the cowboy cutout shirt in about 1991...

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  9. I can see the potential in the McCalls but that second one is baffling!

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  10. Liza! I miss you! It's been stupid busy over here with the contest and all. Hope you and baby are doing well!

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  11. Oh man. "Attached concha cape"--who ever thought those words would be placed together?

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  12. I've got to be honest with you; I LOVE that first pattern!

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