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Vintage Sunbonnet Sue Pieced Quilt Pattern

Posted on November 3, 2013October 5, 2016 by Martha

A couple of months ago I saw this adorable quilt, which sold on ebay for $550.  I had never seen this pattern before, and was unable to find it in any of my reference books.  It’s probably a published pattern, but I think it would be pretty cool if the quilter designed this herself.  Although the seller said it was a girl holding flowers, to me it looks like a Sunbonnet Sue, and I think those are balloons she’s holding, because they have colorful embroidered strings, as opposed to the flower at the bottom of the block.

Sunbonnet-Sue-pieced-quilt-ebay

At first I thought surely she didn’t make the center section out of little squares, but maybe she did.  I can tell from close-ups of the prints in the individual blocks that the dress and bonnet are individual squares and triangles, but because of the square patterned quilting, it’s hard tell about the white fabric — is it seamed, or am I just looking at quilting stitches?  I would probably be inclined to construct the blocks with individual squares and triangles, but make the sashing solid, and just quilt the square lines.  Here I’ve straightened a photo of one of the original blocks and added lines to show the pattern.

Sunbonnet-Sue-pieced-quilt-block-ebay

The seller described it as a postage stamp quilt, which measured 89″ x 89″, which would make each square 1.5″ finished.  Of course, you could make the squares 1″, which would make the quilt 59″ x 59″, or you could reduce the size of the outside solid border.  I think this quilt would also look really cute with a scalloped edge.

Anyway, here is a pattern that I drew, based on photos of the original design, although I moved the embroidered flower stem a little bit.

Sunbonnet-Sue-block-pattern

Sunbonnet-Sue-pieced-quilt-diagram

11 thoughts on “Vintage Sunbonnet Sue Pieced Quilt Pattern”

  1. Mickie says:
    November 4, 2013 at 4:13 am

    I’m going to look this one up too, I don’t remember seeing this before. I think she is definately holding balloons, no doubt in my mind. What I love is the addition of the flower which balances it out. I think this would be cute to make!
    Hugs, Mickie

    Reply
  2. Karen Beigh says:
    November 4, 2013 at 5:44 am

    I like the angles and squares of the block. An unusual block and oh so vintage in style. I hope you show us a block that you make.

    Reply
  3. Joyce Carter says:
    November 4, 2013 at 5:50 am

    Very cute pattern Martha. I haven’t seen this one before either. It would make a lovely quilt for a little girl.

    Reply
  4. Diane Harris says:
    November 4, 2013 at 8:47 am

    Thank you so much for the draft. It’s an adorable design. Maybe someone will find more clues on its origin. I love your blog!

    Reply
  5. Panee says:
    November 4, 2013 at 11:30 am

    I have never seen this before but it is so lovely and I bet you might be the first to have collected (preserved) it.
    xxxoo’s

    PS: Thank you so much!

    Reply
  6. Nancy A Bekofske says:
    November 4, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    what a cute pattern! Thanks for drafting it! I need a girl grandchild!

    Reply
  7. Jessie @ Messyjesse says:
    November 5, 2013 at 3:43 am

    Thank you for the pattern draft Martha. Those look like balloons to me too, thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  8. Barbara says:
    November 20, 2013 at 6:06 am

    I absolutely adore this. I hope you will make one!

    Reply
  9. Cathy L in IA says:
    December 14, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    Thanks for sharing and drafting the pattern. I thought it was so cute I had to try it out. Now I will be making more.

    Reply
  10. Debbie says:
    December 17, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Somewhere in my patterns I have the reference to this pattern. It was published back in the 1930’s in some type of magazine for farm wives. I’d only seen that one reference & never saw it made up, or even referenced until now. I’d meant to try & piece it but haven’t got around to it yet. It makes a truly lovely quilt!

    I love scrap quilts but this would also be a striking graphic done in one color theme on a white background. Thanks so much for sharing it.

    Reply
  11. Diana Flint says:
    December 2, 2020 at 12:35 am

    This is in one of my Sunbonnet Sue Family Album Pattern Books from the 1980’s. I believe it is Album I but will look to see if I can find it for you

    Reply

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