The Lure of Sunbonnet Sue
Something about Sunbonnet Sue quilts captures the hearts of quiltmakers and quilt lovers. In their many variations, these quilts, with a little girl wearing a large bonnet hiding her face, have been favorites to make for babies and young girls for years.
When I began researching the history of this design, I found this charming little girl pattern has had widespread appeal since the early 1900s. There are more variations of Sunbonnet Sue than you can count.
Some Sue fanciers collect these patterns as well as other Sue related items old postcards, Dutch Cleanser cans, books, wall hangings, etc. Youll find there even are quilting and collectors clubs specializing in this enticing design.
Some variations include the Garden Girl, Sunbonnet Sarah, a Mama figure with her head hidden as she bends over picking flowers or young lady obscured by an umbrella. Quilts also feature both Sunbonnet Sue and the Overall Boy, Farmer Boy, or Overall Sam (as hes variously called). Others carry only one of the figures.
The design Ive used most frequently for crib quilts can be made either with Sunbonnet Sue or Overall Boy, or with blocks of each in the same quilt. One quilt request included a pillow sham with Sunbonnet Sue to accompany the quilt I made for a young girls bed. Then her mom added a dust ruffle and sent me a picture of the quilt on her daughters bed.
Do you have any Sunbonnet Sue quilting experiences to relate?
©2005
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POSTED IN: General Quilting/Patchwork
2 opinions for The Lure of Sunbonnet Sue
Lei
Jul 23, 2005 at 6:11 am
My first quilting experience as a grade-schooler was a pre-printed Sue Bonnet design (I think I mentioned this in a comment before). I love her chubby form and the many different fabric patterns that can be used to create her bonnet and dress.
Mary Emma
Jul 24, 2005 at 10:20 pm
Lei,
I enjoyed learning about your experience with Sunbonnet Sue. I think this design plays a role in the memories of many quilters. Thanks for sharing.
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