To make something ugly look pretty.

A silk one, made from a sow's ear.

The word "into" is a preposition that indicates location, or transformation.

Example : "The cave extended into the mountain."

Example : "You can't make a sow's ear into a silk purse."

No. It is made in China and it is very poor quality. They try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Don't buy it. It is JUNK.

The old adage usually refers to the description of a person who is incapable of common respect, honesty, and integrity. It is well known that the pigs ear is rough and thick and cannot be sewn into something usable. Therefore, the sow's ear is useless.