Released October 2, 2009
by MJ Lee
I used the Sunbonnet Girls Applique Designs to make both a quilt and pillow for entry into our Douglas County (Colorado) Fair in August. I am honored and pleased to say that the quilt took a Second Place in the “Tied Quilt” category and the pillow took a First Place in the “Machine Embroidery” category.
I used all 10 designs and reversed each of them to end up with 20 Girls. I was amazed at the number of people who did not realize that each of the girls was duplicated because of the reversed design and different colors used. I did not applique, but rather, skipped those stitches that would have tacked down or outlined the fabric placement. I used only the satin stitching on a white-on-white fabric. This gave an “airy” look to each of the designs compared to the actual applique design. I tied the quilt with small double-knotted bows of yarn. I made a matching pillow using one of the designs.
Attached are several pictures in an attempt to let you see up-close views of the squares of the quilt as well as the whole quilt.
I have been delighted with all of the designs I have now in my “design catalogue” from Designs by SICK. Some day I would love to read or hear what “SICK” stands for!
[editor's note: SiCK = Shawn is Charles Knight]
MJ Lee
designsjeannie@aol.com
Castle Rock, Colorado
What a great idea. I am in the process of making these darling little girls but am appliquing them.
When I am finished I will send you a photo.
Comment by Barbara — October 2, 2009 @ 9:46 am
I am so honored that you used my designs, and now I can go around all day and say, they are award winning. LOL. Very, very nice job on the quilt.
heidi
Comment by heidi kilgore — October 2, 2009 @ 10:05 am
you did a beautiful job. thanks sew much for sharing. You do deserve the the blue ribbon! thanks for the sewing tips!
Comment by sandra — October 2, 2009 @ 11:06 am
The pillow and quilt are just absolutely adorable!!
Comment by Joyce — October 2, 2009 @ 11:15 am
What a clever idea leaving the applique material out. Darling quilt and pillow.
Comment by Eva Mueller — October 2, 2009 @ 11:25 am
What a darling quilt! I know my little granddaughter would LOVE this. Hmmm Christmas is coming.
Cheryl
Comment by Cheryl — October 2, 2009 @ 11:29 am
What a great idea! I would never have thought of that. I wonder how many other applique designs would work this way. Now I’ll be looking at them with “new” eyes. Thanks for sharing this!
Comment by Pat — October 2, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Very cute. I’m not really into Sunbonnets but these are cute. I like how you altered the applique. Great job.
Roxanne
Comment by Roxanne — October 2, 2009 @ 11:54 am
Superbe !!! félicitations d’une brodeuse passionnée de Paris !
amicalement !
[trans: Superb!!! congratulations of an impassioned embroidering-machine of Paris! in a friendly way!]
Comment by estrade — October 2, 2009 @ 11:55 am
Superbe !!! félicitations d’une brodeuse passionnée de Paris !
amicalement !
[trans: Superb!!! congratulations of an impassioned embroidering-machine of Paris! ]
Comment by estrade — October 2, 2009 @ 11:55 am
My mother ruined me forever when she made me a Sunbonnet Sue quilt when I was a little girl. I absolutely love your quilt. Very creative. Thank you for sharing. I love it.
Betty
Comment by Betty — October 2, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
What a sweet quilt…
Comment by Gail — October 2, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
Beautiful! I would never thought of reversing and using different colors to make enough blocks! Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Carolyn — October 2, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
Looks great. a lot of work, but worth it !
Comment by sharon h — October 2, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
My all time favorite quilting pattern is Sun Bonnet Sue and this just shows one more way to present this timeless little girl . Nicely done and you should be very proud of your work..
Comment by Martha Dowling — October 2, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
Very beautiful!
Comment by Anonymous — October 2, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
Congratulations… What a beautiful quilt and pillow. Very clever composition.
Comment by Anonymous — October 2, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
The quilt is GREAT! Can you tell me what you mean when you say you used white on white?
Comment by Joan — October 2, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
Your quilt and pillow are just as cute as can be! I never thought about using applique designs like that. Congratulations on your winning ribbons!
Comment by Diane Hutchins — October 2, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
It’s a very good idea and the result is beautifull ! BRAVO as we say in french !
Comment by Françoise — October 2, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Absolutely darling. You should be proud of your ribbons. Great work!
Comment by Teresa — October 2, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
If it is tied, it is not a quilt. The quilting stitch is what makes a real quilt. Tying made it a comforter. There is a place for both techniques and both are lovely, but they are not the same.
Comment by quiltist — October 2, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
Congratulations. Your quilt is lovely.
Comment by dietcoke — October 2, 2009 @ 4:10 pm
Congratulations!!! What a beatiful quilt and pillow. This makes me want to make somthing like that also. Thanks for the inspiration.
Comment by Cathy — October 2, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
First congrats on your ribbons and prizes. You’re quilt and pillow are fabulous! I love Sunbonnets!
Thanks for a informative article and great explanation of how you made your goodies. I really enjoyed reading.
Comment by watermelon — October 2, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
they’re so cute! What a lot of work. I love all the bright colors.
Comment by Lauri — October 2, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
Congratulations,
Beautiful job.
Sandy
Comment by Sandy — October 2, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
That’s a really cute set MJ!!
Regards,
Julie
Comment by Julie T — October 2, 2009 @ 5:50 pm
Very cute. Looks like a blue ribbon winner to me.
Comment by GeeMa — October 2, 2009 @ 6:07 pm
MJ Lee Love the quilt, excellent idea, to reverse. What a lot of work! I’m new to machine embroidery and it seems very daunting task.
Lynette Melbourne australia
Comment by Lynette from Melbourne Australa — October 2, 2009 @ 6:45 pm
Great Quilt!!!
Comment by Mariah — October 2, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
i love sunbonnet sue this is beautiful
Comment by barbara watkins — October 2, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Wow Great Job with this…Congrats
Comment by Laura Rieck — October 2, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
Congratulations! The quilt is beautiful and is such a clever idea!
Comment by Lois — October 2, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Awesome project. Your ribbon is well deserved.
Comment by Julie — October 2, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
It is very beautiful,I could never imagine so wonderful ideas for a quilt. Thanks for so beautiful.
Comment by Luz O Prado — October 2, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
Absolutely Gorgeous…well done and thankyou for sharing.
Comment by Cherrylmaree — October 3, 2009 @ 1:12 am
You did a marvelous job on the quilt, it has given me a few ideas. Well done
Comment by Junette Jolly — October 3, 2009 @ 4:31 am
what a great job….it’s just beautiful…….keep up the good work
Comment by Patricia — October 3, 2009 @ 5:54 am
Beautiful. I have made Sunbonnet quilts for a couple of my nieces when they had their daughters and everyone that sees them justs loves them because Sunbonnets are most peoples favorites. Toni
Comment by Toni — October 3, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
well done it’s just beautiful l real love the Sunbonnet’s Congratulations,and thank you for sharing.Nell
Comment by Nell — October 4, 2009 @ 11:53 am
Your big interest in embroidering is showing - What a fantastic quilt and pillow! Congratulations!
Comment by Inge - Denmark — October 4, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
WOW! It has absolutely been “mind boggling” to open up the site today and see 42 well wishes and congratulations from all over the world! THANK YOU for taking the time to send your messages!!!
To Quiltist: The Department for the competition at the Fair was “Quilting” the Category was “Tied.”
To Heidi: Thank you for being a winning designer of patterns. We made a pretty good winning team! LOL
To Barbara: Can’t wait to see your version of the designs too.
To Joan: White on White is a subtle white design on white fabric. You can best see it in the pillow picture.
To Lynette in Australia: Not too daunting when done “one square at a time.” Just to let you all know, there are 108,843 embroidery stitches — and no I didn’t count them all. I just added them up on the stitch chart.
Since I love the designs from SICK, you may hear from me again.
Comment by MJ Lee — October 4, 2009 @ 10:44 pm
Congratulations on your win. The quilt is just beautiful, and what a great way to use the designs.
Comment by corliss — October 5, 2009 @ 11:33 am
Beautiful!!! Thank you for the idea of reversing the images. Lots of work and sure looks worth it.
Comment by marinova — October 5, 2009 @ 11:53 am
To see more of Heidi’s applique designs which have been done in this same manner check out this previous article:
http://www.designsbysick.com/articles/teriffic-tea-towels/
I think you’ll enjoy this one, too.
Comment by Anonymous — October 6, 2009 @ 1:04 am
It has all been said …but this is eye opening on a “new Way” to do an ” ole thing” . Beautiful job an thank you for sharing it.
Comment by Brenda Roberts — October 7, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
By far the cutest bonnet quilt I have seen. It makes me want to start on one right away. I have promised myself I would make my sister one since she adore bonnet girls and this is beyond adorable.
Comment by JoAnn — October 9, 2009 @ 1:05 am
Very creative, i have also used the designs, but with applique and with this ideal it will be a lot shorter. Congrats on your win and thanks for sharing.
Comment by icilee Johnson — October 9, 2009 @ 7:15 am
I want to thank all of you for taking the time to share your comments with me. I am glad you enjoyed the quilt and pillow and hope I have inspired you to “think outside the design” and create something you can share with us too. Blessings for your week. MJ Lee
Comment by MJ Lee — October 9, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
what a great idea and time saver. I am going to do a quilt for my grandaughter. thank you
Comment by kriss — October 26, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
What a great idea, sometimes we just don’t have on hand the perfect fabric match for the appliques & this takes care of that problem, Hope you don’t mind but I believe I’ll use your idea on some of my things for my GD’s…
Comment by Sue Foster — November 5, 2009 @ 6:14 am