Sunday, October 24, 2010

SUN BONNET SUE

I have shown this quilt before. This is one of the very first quilts I made. It is one of the first quilts I hand quilted as well.

Why am I showing you this again? This quilt has been washed, drug around, abused by five sons and this is what it still looks like today. This quilt is probably about 14- 15 years old. Around that time I had hand quilted a quilt for my bed, so I am thinking that this is the second quilt I actually hand quilted.




Here is my disclaimer....the names and dates are not accurate because one named Barb did not tag her quilts...but at the best of my memory and knowledge, the statement remains true.



I used that heat bond from Walmart for the Sunbonnet Sue's, and I hand stitched around them with black floss. I used scraps and inexpensive materials from Walmart because we didn't have much money at the time. I wish I had tagged it because I am still unclear on the finish date, I can only calculate with where we were living.

I think one of the caps has come off but other than that....that is about it. I know at one time my mother made a Sun Bonnet Sue and she made her hand stitches around the Sue's really close because she was worried that it would not keep, but here is proof that it does keep with the blanket stitch (hand done). I am ever so glad that my machine does the blanket stitch now...yes, call me lazy, cheater, call me whatever.....or you can call me on the phone and we can chat???


30 comments:

Wacky Woman said...

So cute. I started out hand quilting. No way today.

Sandy said...

That little quilt is darling....I too have a couple of "starter" quilts, and blocks- and to look at them now, makes me laugh! It is fun to go back and see how far we have come. As for your floor...NOT one floor in my house looks that spectacular LOL.... holy Moses...I am worried the good housekeeping police will be here any minute-
as for signing quilts- I usually just ink in "SLR" and the date on the back...I may need to improve that ;) Sandy
PS will send wedding pictures tomorrow

Wendy said...

How nice that she has made the test of time! Like you I now use my machine to do the blanket stitch as it is so much quicker.

lisa said...

GOOD TO KNOW, i AM DOING MY FIRST SET OF BLOCKS WITH HAND BLANKET STITCH ARTOUND THEM AND HAVE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT IT (OH AND YOU CAN THANK MY ONE YEAR OLD FOR CAPS LOCK, NOT ONLY DID SHE DO IT, SHE JAMMED THE KEYBOARD SO i CAN'T UNDO IT! OI!!

Cheryl Willis said...

looks great and well loved.

I use my machine stitches to do a cheaters applique and love using the blanket stitch, fast and easy and looks hand done. I like the way they wash up too.

Sues have always been a favorite for me TO DO for gifts. cw

Jackie's Stitches said...

As you know, I'm hand quilting a very small project. I can't imagine doing a big one but who knows.

I love quilts that are well loved and well used. Yours is gorgeous and I love the story behind it.

Sherry said...

Sue Bonnet Sue has done very well all these years. Great Job done by you.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Sweet quilt. Great that it has lasted over the years. I love using the buttonhole stitch whether it is by hand or on the machine.

I was also looking at your floors. The shine is amazing!

Donna said...

Adorable quilt!

JustCindy said...

I agree with Robin, beautiful floors. I love Sue and Sam. I think I have all their patterns. hmmm Maybe I will make another.

lesthook said...

Love sunbonnet Sue. But like a couple of others I can't get over that floor! Even called my daughter in to see how clean and shiny it is,LOL!

Unknown said...

Love to call you on the phone!!! It sure amazes me to see how long a quilt will last...and with some abuse!

Maxwells said...

How funny, I am sitting on the couch right now with the baby on the sunbonnet sue you made me almost 7 years ago for annie. Still love it!

hetty said...

It still looks great! I think I will call you Crafty!

Crispy said...

Boy that really held up wonderfully after the abuse 5 boys could give it!! Just goes to show how durable hand work is :0)

Crispy

vivian said...

Sue quilts always make me smile! Love the pink in yours!

Gene Black said...

As you know, I rarely applique even with the machine. To think of the time it takes to do that by hand --well I had rather not think about it.

Anonymous said...

Have always loved Sunbonnet Sue, and to know this has survived so well is wonderful!

Mystica said...

I still hand quilt as I never got around to learning to machine quilt! I also have my first quilt. Its about 25 years old and its a dresden plate design.

Twisted Quilts said...

My grandmother made so many of these quilts and did all of the applique by hand. She called it Little Dutch Girl. She cut the dresses free hand so some were fat and some were skinny!!

Needled Mom said...

Maaterials for quilting have really changed over the years. I don't think there was anything to use for raw edge applique when I started quilting in the early 70s. Sunbonnet Sue has always been a favorite of mine.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Ok..so I'm going to admit it...while I love your quilt and the fact that it is hand quilted, I truly hate Sunbonnet Sue. In fact, when I went to a major quilt show years ago there was a quilt about the "Demise of Sunbonnet Sue." She got ate by a shark, run over by a tank, thrown out of a plane. I loved it! The artist hated Sunbonnet too! I know, I know, I'm sick. But hey, at least I'm honest. hee,hee,hee. You still get major kudo's for hand quilting!
xx, shell

Kim D. said...

Very nice quilt Barb! Looks like your quilt held up incredibly well. Walmart fabrics were probably better quality back then. Thanks for sharing it with us. I usually label those quilts I give as gifts. I need to start labeling the ones for me as well.

Diane H said...

Sunbonnet Sue always makes me feel nostalgic, it's such a sweet old fashioned pattern. I love the fact that your lovely girly Sue quilt has 'lived' through five boys - Barb, you must have stitched it together well!

Winona said...

Some day I am going to make a Sun Bonnet Sue quilt. This quilt really held up good over the years. Thanks for sharing with us. It is lovely.

Elizabeth said...

Those Sue's are SO cute! Amazing that they've held up too. Thanks for sharing.

xo -El

Ms Muffin said...

Oh, another cutie! How sweet! I want one ...

Jen said...

Too cute! Can't believe it's held up so well all these years! Great stitching! Isn't it great to know your art is lasting?!

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