• Sunbonnet Sue Antique Quilt

Sunbonnet Sue Antique Quilt

A blast from the past Sunbonnet Sue Antique Quilt pattern would be a perfect way to use your stash of 1930s reproduction fabrics or any fun fabrics for that matter. This traditional quilt pattern can be made with any fabrics you choose. It would make the perfect baby quilt for a little baby girl. It's worth checking out this pattern.

Sunbonnet Sue quilts were very popular in the 1930s. This old quilt is a perfect example of a typical quilt made using lots of different dress fabrics with coordinating hats and shoes.

From the collection of Sandra L. Hatch

Project Notes

The batting or filling used in this old quilt is quite heavy. It could be a blanket, but I did not take it apart to check. I admire the quilter for making fairly good quilting stitches through such thick layers. Obviously, this quilt was made for warmth as well as a decorative bed cover. Pretty embroidery stitches adorn the hats and the hand-stitched buttonhole stitches are very even.

Project Specifications

Skill Level: Intermediate

Quilt Size: 64" x 79"

Block Size: 11" x 11"

Number of Blocks: 20

Materials

• 20 assorted 7" x 7" pastel print squares to coordinate with solids
• 1/3 yard each pink, yellow, red, blue and green solids for hats, arms and shoes
• 5/8 yard pink print for sashing squares
• 2 yards pink solid for sashing
• 2 3/8 yards muslin for background
• Backing 68" x 83"
• Batting 68" x 83"
• 8 1/2 yards self-made or purchased pink binding
• White and pink all-purpose thread
• White hand-quilting thread
• 3 or 4 skeins black 6-strand embroidery floss
• Red, yellow, green, orange and pink 6-strand embroidery floss
• Basic sewing tools and supplies
• Cutting Diagram

Instructions

Step 1. Cut 20 squares muslin 11 1/2" x 11 1/2" for background; fold and crease to mark centers.

Step 2. Prepare templates for applique shapes using patterns given. Cut and prepare pieces for hand applique referring to the General Instructions. Note: If you prefer to use machine methods, add 2 yards fusible transfer web, 3 yards fabric stabilizer and black machine-embroidery thread to the list of materials needed for quilt. Refer to the General Instructions to prepare pieces for fusible applique.

Step 3. Center one Sunbonnet Sue motif on one background square in numerical order using crease lines and center mark on pattern as a guide for positioning; baste in place. Repeat for 20 blocks.

Step 4. Using 2 strands black embroidery floss, buttonhole-stitch around each shape and stem-stitch bow shape.

Step 5. Using 2 strands green embroidery floss, stem-stitch stems on hat motifs. Add flowers on stems using a lazy-daisy stitch and 2 strands pink, orange, red or yellow embroidery floss as desired. Note: Color of the embroidered flowers is randomly placed on the sample shown.

Step 6. Cut four strips pink print 4 1/2" by fabric width; subcut into 4 1/2" square segments to make 30 sashing squares.

Step 7. Cut six strips pink solid 11 1/2" by fabric width; subcut into 4 1/2" segments to make 49 sashing strips.

Step 8. Join four blocks with five sashing strips to make a block row referring to Figure 1; repeat for five rows. Press seams toward strips. Note: Blocks with the same color hats are joined in rows in the sample quilt with one row each pink, yellow, red, blue and green hats. You may arrange your blocks and rows in any configuration.

Step 9. Join four sashing strips with five sashing squares to make a sashing row referring to Figure 2; repeat for six sashing rows. Press seams toward sashing squares.

Step 10. Join the block rows with the sashing rows, beginning and ending with a sashing row. Press seams toward sashing rows.

Step 11. Prepare quilt top for quilting and finish using self-made or purchased pink binding. Note: The quilt shown was hand-quilted with white hand-quilting thread in a repeated curved design through all layers, including the applique designs.

Copyright © 2002 The Ultimate Collection of Classic Quilt Blocks, House of White Birches. All rights reserved.