Some History of Bonneted Children

How many of you viewed this quilt when it went up for auction earlier this year? It sold for an astounding amount for a Sunbonnet Sue, in my opinion. But it truly is one very interesting and unique quilt due to its extensive embroidery. It would make for a great pattern series.

Since I have two in my collection that are somewhat similar but much simpler (one even rather primitive due to the "hammerhead" style of Sue ), I have tried tracking down possible pattern sources of this style.

In the photo below of the next SBS quilt, the embroidery is very simple but the fabrics in the dresses are very colorful and varied.

Don't you just love that "dainty" hand and arm!"

Betty J. Hagerman Book

One of the most likely influences to me is L-3 seen on page 27 of Betty J. Hagerman's 1979 book A Meeting of the Sunbonnet Children because it shows an embroidered fence in the background.

You can usually easily find a used copy of Hagerman's book via the Internet. I highly recommend it.

Wonky "Hatchet-head" Sue

My other quilt that only somewhat resembles the quilt in the recent InvaluableAuction is actually no longer a quilt with three layers. It is now only a top but shows that one time it was tied. It needs a good pressing but no time for that right now. I'll press it before the exhibit goes up October 5th. See the photos below.

Another one of my funky SBS quilts

The hat in this SBS top (once a tied quilt) rather resembles several of the SBS patterns on pages 46 & 47 in A Meeting of the Sunbonnet Children written by Betty Hagerman as mentioned earlier.

Unfortunately, there is no last name on what is written on this separated quilt top but at least someone thought to make a stab at labeling it for the next generation. Obviously, by analyzing the fabrics, you can tell the top was made well before 1990.

The heavy red fringe on this block ran when someone laundered it.

Click here to see some more of my wacky SBS quilts and tops.