Sunbonnet Sue – from a plain beginning as a drawing to a superstar, here is her story and how she has been used in quilts and quilting.
The History and Mystery of Sunbonnet Sue
You might know her as a redwork design, or perhaps an applique on a 30’s quilt. But like all young women, she has a history…
Sunbonnet Sue began her existence in the 1870’s in England as an illustration in greeting cards, although she looked a bit different then. The illustrator, Kate Greenaway, was the daughter of a seamstress so her designs were pretty elaborate. However, she soon began simplifying her designs for use in children’s books.
In the late 1800’s, Americans Bertha Corbett and Eulalie Osgood Grover teamed up to write a series of nine books featuring Molly and May, the Sun-bonnet Babies. These babies had their heads covered by a large sunbonnet and expressed their feeling through the actions they took. They might walk the dog, carry books, pick flowers to give to a friend, or even get into a bit of mischief.
These images later began being used as redwork designs. By 1910, Sue was an applique motif, reaching fame and fortune by the the 1930’s. She was an easy design for beginners to make with a large sunbonnet hiding her face, a dress shaped like a bell with capped sleeves, and shoes just barely peeking out from underneath. She was lots of fun to embellish, much like the paper dolls of the time period.
Fun Fact:
Bertha Corbett also designed the Old Dutch Cleanser girl logo. Could that be why sometimes Sunbonnet Sue is called the Old Dutch Girl or Dutch Doll? I wonder if the Old Dutch Cleaner girl logo has any relation to Morton’s Salt girl logo?
Sunbonnet Sue was a cheery soul, always working on fun activities, ready to bring happiness into the Great Depression. Often made using scraps, she showed up everywhere in the house, not just in quilts. She was a happy face on dish towels and pillowcases, as well as covering holes in tablecloths and even clothes.
As Sue got older, she evolved once again into Holly Hobbie, that 1970’s design that seemed to be on every girls lunchbox.
And I can’t help but feel she was the inspiration for the Grim Ripper by Terry Chilko
Like any famous figure, Sunbonnet Sue has her critics. The Bee There quilters of Austin, Texas created a quilt called Scandalous Sue. In this quilt she drinks, smokes, and is pregnant. No doubt by Overall Sam, AKA Overall Andy or Farmer Boy, her counterpart who has a hat covering his face.
The Seamsters Local 500 of Lawrence, Kansas created a quilt they named “The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue,” showing Sue’s death by hanging, lighting strike, nuclear fallout, etc. Barbara Brackman has a fun post post on various types of Sues – my goodness, she does get into trouble!
Be sure to see Barbara Brackmans post on rogue Sues, too.
Applique Design
Here is a very general applique design for Sue. You can change any aspect of the motifs – she has been many things over the years! Put ribbons on her hat, braids on her back or flowers on her apron. She is YOUR Sunbonnet Sue.
If you have an Accuquilt machine, the die is available here.
No matter how you feel about Sunbonnet Sue, you have to admit it’s a sunshine design. Do you have a Sunbonnet Sue quilt in your family? Send me your picture and I will share it here! My email address is phoebemoondesigns@gmail.com.
Share your stories!
 Shared by Kris |  An Ebay find |  Accuquilt pattern – click on the picture |
 Shared by Kelly M, these were from her grandmother |  Made by Louella Engle Brubaker around 1945. Shared by her granddaughter. The pink sashing is probably bias tape. |
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I love Sunbonnet Sue, and made my granddaughter a quilt of Sunbonnet Sues some years ago. Also remember Holly Hobbie, and had the lunchbox too.
Thanks for the template. I’ve never made a sunbonnet sue quilt project, but do remember when I first started learning to sew and joined a stitch group, one of the ladies was making one. I remember admiring it and thinking I’d make one, one day.
Thank you for this wonderful history lesson about SUE. I know very early on in my quilting life I made a Sue quilt but I can’t remember who I gave it to. I do have a Halloween version where she is wearing black with a witches hat and has a cat. It is one of my top three quilts I made for just my enjoyment. For years it hung all year round in my hall. When we moved to Fl there wasn’t a wall for her to use full time so she is currently packed away till the fall.
Thanks so much for the history of Sunbonnet Sue. I love both Sunbonnet Sue and Holly Hobbie.
I did not know the history of SS, thanks for sharing.
Very interesting history! Thanks for sharing it, and all the variations of Sue with us.
I love Sunbonnet Sue’s and I have to admit the scary ones really call my name! Have you seen the play “The Quilters”? They went into some deeply disturbing Sun Bonnet Sues, and I have always wanted to make a quilt with them. HAHAHAHA
great post about Sunbonnet Sue! I have the die and have used her for a couple of quilt, I also have her buddy Sam but don’t think I’ve used the die yet. Oh and the embroidery files for the Sunbonnet die is adorable too (by Marjorie Busby)
I made a sunbonnet Sue years ago, along with Overall Bill (or Sam, depending on where in the world you are). I even made one block of the lady with the parasol. I loved Holly Hobbie too and made a hand embroidery of her too. So many different looks these Sues have and I remember the demise of Sue quilt I had seen at quilt shows too.
Sunbonnet Sue was on a quilt I had as a child which was made using leftover fabric. It was fun to look at each piece and remember who’s dress it turned into. She’s always had a sunny theme, but I guess I’ll need to check out those creepy ones. I do love creepy, after all! Thanks for sharing all this info.
Thank you for some very interesting history and lovely pictures. Now I want to ignore my UFOs and go start a Sunbonnet Sue quilt. 😁
Great info about Sunbonnet Sue. I had quilt blocks given to me by my MIL which were a southern belle .
Interesting history lesson! I seem to recall seeing the “Sunset of Sue” quilt at a show, and I thought it was hilariously creative. Thanks for sharing.
Funny thing, I blog on Friday. I was going to share my Sunbonnet Sue that I am doing for a class sample. Maybe I need to think of something else. Yours looks great.
I couldn’t stop laughing reading Barbara Brackman’s column! I think my paternal grandmother had a Sunbonnet quilt, but like all of hers it was well used and no longer exists as far as I know.
Thank you, thank you! My mother-in-law (RIP) was fascinated by Sunbonnet Sue. I never appreciated or understood the appeal. My MIL had several quilt blocks that were in progress, that now belong to my sister-in-law. I never knew the history of the block and your post was so educational. I love the idea of a mischievous Sue and then a deviant Sue. You have changed my opinion of the block for the first time in decades! The variations are endless for this hat-wearing lady. I will pay more attention to them now. Thanks for the info and the links. I’m off to check out Barbara’s article.
Thank you for the history of Sue. I was never a fan but now knowing her history I might soften up to using her sometime. Thanks for the template.
Love your Sue’s. The AccuQuilt die bundled with the embroidery does make this block so much easier.
Thanks for the SBS pattern! It was interesting to read the history of the block!
What a great post. Thank you. Such a fun read and such fun to see all the pictures. Thanks for the template.
I had no idea that Sunbonnet Sue was created so long ago. No, I don’t have a quilt but wish I did. 🙂 Thanks, too, for the applique design of her. It would really be perfect for my grandkids to make.
Sweet Sunbonnet Sue and I really enjoyed the history lesson. Sue does get up to some high kinks, doesn’t she? 😉
Thanks for sharing the history of Sunbonnet Sue! I loved Holly Hobbie when I was a kid 🙂 And I love sunbonnet sue even though I have yet to make a quilt with her! xx
I would like to see that!
I like the fact Accuquilt gives you free embroidery with their patterns. Even the free ones!
I made a quilt for my daughter with 25 sunbonnet and overall Sam scenes, got it in my head that 12″ blocks were too big so made them 9″ OMG! crazy! Took me many years to make but it came out pretty nice.
Years ago, I made a drunken Sue gathering flowers. It was for a challenge to use fabrics with drinks and Marguerita focuss. She came in 2nd. and I kept her over my desk for a long time. I need to go find her and bring her back. I also have an antique Sue hand pieced,embroidered and quilted 1930’s version I love her and I just may do another little Sue!
Thanks for all the background