SUNBONNET SUE AND OVERALL SAM(or OVERALL BILL, FISHERMAN FRED, etc.)
This pattern has gotten used so much, and has inspired so many variants, that I decided it would be a good idea to put together a page of all the sources I know about. The Books are first, then the magazine articles. I have found one magazine issue from "Stitch'n Sew Quilts" completely dedicated to this couple, and it had some articles on the history of this theme quilt that were fascinating. This bib page is far from complete, but it's a start. If you know more, please get in touch and share! None of the books reviewed were part of my mom's library - I believe the two she had came from my grandmother's library, which my mother inherited. It was my grandmother who enjoyed doing applique - my mother tried about everything once and settled on being a strip-piecer. I've added more books to mom's collection as I've gone through and set up the bibliography, and Sue and her friends apparently attract my eye more than just about any other recognizable group of patterns. Sue, you've still got it.It fascinates me how much Sue has taken off in Japan. There are a great many books and patterns being published there over the last decade or so that take Sue in many directions. The imports are expensive, of course, but those with deep pockets won't care about that.
While I think the old gal still has plenty of charm left, I was amused to discover that not everyone thinks so. If you're easily offended, pass these links by. If you're not, and want to be amused and intrigued by the idea of old Sue as a symbol for protest too:
"In the Shadow of the Quilt: Political Messaging in Quilts" by Marybeth Stalp(story behind "The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue" by Seamsters Union Local #500, Lawrence, KS(1979))
"Check Your Bias: A Handmaiden Quilt" by Alison Bowers
Pix
BOOK BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRIES FOR SUNBONNET SUE / OVERALL BILL
Color the Seasons Crayon Quilt,
by Betty Alderman (PKG:19**)
Notes: * pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Betty Alderman Designs, Palmyra, NY; UPC: 632549100646;
Lovely pattern for a 28"x28" Wall Quilt showing Sunbonnet Sue enjoying the seasons...
Red Sunbonnet Club Quilt #088,
by Betty Alderman (PKG:19**)
Notes: * pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Betty Alderman Designs, Palmyra, NY; UPC: 632549100882;
Lovely pattern for a 18"x27" Wall Quilt showing Sunbonnet Sues' meeting...
A Century of Sunbonnets,
by Betty Alderman (TPB:1997)
Notes: 8 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Betty Alderman Designs, Palmyra, NY; ISBN: None;
Make sure the pattern insert stapled into the center of the book is still there...
Precious Sunbonnet Quilts, by Betty Alderman (TPB:2008)
Notes: 96 pages; Country: JPN; Publisher: American Quilter's Society, Paducah, KY; ISBN: 1574329510;
Ladies of Leisure: Vintage Quilts, Linens & More!,
by Margaret Allyson (TPB:2003)
Notes: 98 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Design Originals, Ft. Worth, TX; ISBN: 1574215167;
...
Q-Series: Young Folk's Quilts: Complete Instructions for 10 Quilts,
by Not Given(Annonymous) (TPB:19??(n.d.))
Notes: 23 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: ???; ISBN: None;
Patchwork: The Pinwheel, Bow Tie
I have this booklet but didn't give individual reviews for this series; Applique: Circus Time, Gay Butterfly, Little Balloon Girl, Pets Coverlet, The Bluebird, Big-Top Pals, The Parasol Lady, The Miniature Fisherman...
#407 Aunt Martha's Sunbonnet Days, by Aunt Martha's (TPB:****)
Notes: 8 pages, 16 motifs; Country: USA; Publisher: Colonial Patterns, Inc., Kansas City, OK; ISBN: None;
How hard is it to put a copyright date in a publication? Apparently too hard for Colonial Patterns; These are iron-on embroidery transfers...
#3795 Aunt Martha's Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Bill, by Aunt Martha (PKG:****)
Notes: * motifs; Country: USA; Publisher: Colonial Patterns, Inc., Kansas City, OK; ISBN: None;
These are iron-on cross-stitch embroidery transfers...
#3920 Aunt Martha's Bonnie Bonnet, by Aunt Martha (PKG:****)
Notes: 7 motifs; Country: USA; Publisher: Colonial Patterns, Inc., Kansas City, OK; ISBN: None;
These are iron-on embroidery transfers...
#3989 Aunt Martha's Bonnie Bonnet Too, by Aunt Martha (PKG:****)
Notes: 7 motifs; Country: USA; Publisher: Colonial Patterns, Inc., Kansas City, OK; ISBN: None;
These are iron-on embroidery transfers...
Vintage Hand Embroidery Patterns: Sunbonnet Girls, 24 Vintage Designs, by Vicki Becker (TPB:2017)
Notes: 124 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, ???; ISBN: 9781546698425;
These are embroidery patterns...
Vintage Hand Embroidery Patterns: Sunbonnet Ladies, 24 Vintage Designs, by Vicki Becker (TPB:2017)
Notes: 124 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, ???; ISBN: 9781546688600;
These are embroidery patterns...
Vintage Hand Embroidery Patterns: More Sunbonnet Girls, 24 Vintage Designs, by Vicki Becker (TPB:2017)
Notes: 124 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, ???; ISBN: 9781974369133;
These are embroidery patterns...
BETTER HOMES & GARDENS: 501 Quilt Blocks- A Treasury of Patterns for Patchwork & Applique,
edited by Joan Lewis, Lynette Chiles (HC:1994)
Notes: 320 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, Iowa; ISBN: 9780696019975;
This also had a softcover version(ISBN#:9780696204807);
It has a handful of Sunbonnet Sue/Overall Bill applique blocks(12) on pages 130-135...
Better Homes & Gardens: Victorian Hearts & Flowers 1994,
Ed. by Linda True Stueve (MAG:1994)
Notes: 144 pages; Language: English; Publisher: Meredith Corp., Des Moines, Iowa, USA; ISBN: None;
has a tea cloth on pages 95, 102, 103 of a 34" diameter Sunbonnet Sue Friendship Doily(painted and embroidered)...
Fun With Sunbonnet Sue, by Trice Boerens, Terrece Beesley (TPB:1999)
Notes: 80 pages, tissue sheets for patterns; Country: USA; Publisher: That Patchwork Place, ; ISBN: 1564772683;
Simplicity Quilt Block Club, Lesson #5: Schoolhouse & Sunbonnet, #9371, by Shirley Botsford (PAT:****)
Notes: 2 pages, tissue sheets for patterns; Country: USA; Publisher: Simplicity Pattern Service, ???; ISBN: None;
Sunbonnet Sue's Cute Patchworks and Quilts, by Boutique-Sha (TPB:2018)
Notes: 104 pages; Country: JPN; Publisher: Boutique-Sha, Japan; ISBN: *****;
It fascinates me how different nation's icons can be adopted and how they change - this book has really wonderful designs. An experienced sewer will have no trouble using the patterns despite the language barrier. The book is expensive because it's an import - but I think worth it...
2002 Sampler Quilt Calendar: Sunbonnet Kids, by Carol Burger (TPB:2001)
Notes: 17 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Oxmoor House, Birmingham, AL; ISBN: 0848724267;
Sunbonnet Sue Visits Quilt in a Day, by Eleanor Burns (TPB:1992)
Notes: 48 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, San Marcos, CA; ISBN: 0922705380;
applique...
Sunbonnet Sue and Scottie Too,
by Suzanne Zaruba Cirillo (TPB:2007)
Notes: 80 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: That Patchwork Place, Woodinville, WA; ISBN: 9781564777034;
36 blocks...
Sunbonnet Sue and Scottie at Play: Designs in Redwork and Applique,
by Suzanne Zaruba Cirillo (TPB:2009)
Notes: 80 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: That Patchwork Place, Woodinville, WA; ISBN: 9781564778833;
...
Sunbonnet Sue: Yesteryear's Sweetheart,
by Carol Emmer (TPB:2001)
Notes: 20 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Leisure Arts, Inc., ???; ISBN: 9781574868128;
...
Memories on Muslin: 1934 Athelstan Quilt Blocks & Depression-era Quilting,
by Trisha Faye (TPB:2018)
Notes: 128 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, ???; ISBN: 1534848649;
traces the history of a set of Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Bill blocks...
Sunbonnet Baby Transfer Designs, Vol. I, edited by Donna Felger (TPB:1981)
Notes: 48 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hobby House Press, Inc., Cumberland, MD; ISBN: 0875881726;
3 sizes, 84 transfers...
Sunbonnet Baby Transfer Designs, Vol. II, edited by Donna Felger (TPB:1981)
Notes: 48 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Hobby House Press, Inc., Cumberland, MD; ISBN: 0875881734;
5 sizes, 89 transfers...
A Meeting of the Sunbonnet Children, by Betty J Hagerman (TPB:1979)
Notes: 80 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Self, Baldwin City, KS; ISBN: None;
This was on QNM's 15th Anniversary Top 100 Quilting Books List...
Red & White: American Redwork Quilts Patterns, 2 Volumes, by Deborah Harding (HC:2000)
Notes: 64/144 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Rizzoli Int. Publications, Inc., NY; ISBN: 0847822443;
2 Vol. slipcased edition! Has a 4 Seasons set of Sunbonnet Sue with her Beau(Spring has her plowing with Bill in the harness - Yikes!)...
Gardening Sue and Bill,
by Sue Harvey, Pauline Rodgers (TPB:1997)
Notes: 24 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: None;
...
Sunbonnet Family Reunion, Album I, edited by Sandra L Hatch (TPB:1989)
Notes: 160 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 1882138015;
There are 126 different blocks you can make...
Sunbonnet Family Reunion, Album II, edited by Sandra L Hatch (TPB:1990)
Notes: 163 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 1882138023;
There are 126 different blocks you can make...
Sunbonnet Family Reunion, Album III, edited by Sandra L Hatch (TPB:1990)
Notes: 163 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 1882138***;
This one is particularly hard to find, and quite expensive when you do. There are 126 different blocks you can make...
Sunbonnet Family Reunion, Album IV, edited by Sandra L Hatch (TPB:1990)
Notes: 160 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 1882138029;
There are 126 different blocks you can make...
Overall Bill, Book 2,
by Sandra L Hatch (TPB:1997)
Notes: 16 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: None;
The first book is designs by Pauline Welton Rodgers(see it further down)...
The Sunbonnet Family of Quilt Patterns,
by Dolores A Hinson (TPB:1984)
Notes: 262 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Prentice Hall Press, NY; ISBN: 0668059877;
Arco Publishing, Inc. originally published this in 1983 at 280(?) pages...
Quilt World Presents: The Sunbonnet Alphabet Quilt,
by House of White Birches (TPB:1990)
Notes: 64 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: ****;
These are embroidery patterns...
Sunbonnet Sue in Redwork,
by House of White Birches (TPB:2001)
Notes: 23 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: None;
These are embroidery patterns...
Quilting: Fun with Sue and Sam: Choose a Dozen of Your Favorite Sue & Sam Blocks to Stitch Into a Sampler Quilt!,
edited by Jeanne Stauffer, Sandra L. Hatch (TPB:2005)
Notes: 32 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 9781592170548;
26 different designs; Graphic artists for this project are listed as Debby Keel and Edith Teegarden...
Sam & Sue Pillow Dolls,
by House of White Birches (TPB:1998)
Notes: 16 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: None;
...
The Best of Overall Bill, by House of White Birches (TPB:2006)
Notes: 18 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Annie's Publishing, Big Sandy, TX; ISBN: None;
...
Needles & Notions: Paper-pieced Patterns with a Sewing Room Theme, by Jaynette Huff (TPB:2000)
Notes: 80 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: That Patchwork Place, Woodinville, WA; ISBN: 1564772896;
Sue has a strong presence in this one...
24 Sunbonnet Sue & Overall Sam Quilt Blocks: Full-size Patterns for Foundation Piecing,
by Connie Kauffman (TPB:2006)
Notes: 32 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: American School of Needlework, ???; ISBN: 9781590121870;
...
International Sunbonnet Sue,
by Debra Kimball (TPB:2011)
Notes: 80 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: American Quilter's Society, Paducah, KY; ISBN: 9781574326796;
49 Sues in traditional costumes holding a symbolic souvenir from that country...
Ladies of Leisure: Vintage Quilts, Linens & More,
by Nori Koenig (TPB:2003)
Notes: 100 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Design Originals, ???; ISBN: 1574215167;
...
Sunbonnet Sue's Joyful Christmas,
by Pearl Louise Krush (TPB:2002)
Notes: 26 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches(DRG), Berne, IN; ISBN: None;
...
Sunbonnet Sue: Once Upon a Posie, 19 New Designs!,
by Pearl Louise Krush (TPB:2010)
Notes: 48 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches(DRG), Berne, IN; ISBN: 9781592173105;
...
#307 Scentsational Suzie Renuzit 9 1/2" Doll,
by Pearl Louise Krush (PKG:19??)
Notes: 1 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Pearl Louise Designs, Rapid City, SD; ISBN: None;
...
#406 Sunbonnet Sue Days of the Week: Seven Applique and Embroidered Designs,
by Pearl Louise Krush (PKG:19??)
Notes: 1 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Pearl Louise Designs, Rapid City, SD; ISBN: None;
...
Sunbonnet Sue Gets It All Together at Home: Story and Drawings,
by Jean Ray Laury (TPB:1987)
Notes: 24 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Quilt Digest Press, ???; ISBN: 9780913327111;
...
Sunbonnet Sue Makes Her First Quilt,
by Jean Ray Laury (TPB:1987)
Notes: 24 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Quilt Digest Press, ???; ISBN: 9780913327098;
...
Sunbonnet Sue Goes to the Quilt Show,
by Jean Ray Laury (TPB:1995)
Notes: 44 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Contemporary Publishing Co., ???; ISBN: None;
...
The Sunbonnet Sue Primer Redwork Embroidery,
by Leisure Arts (TPB:1999)
Notes: 17 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Leisure Arts, ???; ISBN: None;
...
The Sunbonnet Sue Primer,
by Leisure Arts, Inc. (TPB:2001)
Notes: 28 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Leisure Arts, Inc., ???; ISBN: 9781609002374;
redwork embroidery blocks, 16 reusable transfers...
The Ultimate Sunbonnet Sue Collection: 24 Quilt Blocks Recapture the Charm of Yesterday's Sweetheart, by Leisure Arts Publication (TPB:2000)
Notes: 46 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Leisure Arts, Inc., Little Rock, AR; ISBN: None;
Sunbonnet Sue All Through the Year,
by Sue Linker (TPB:1994)
Notes: 68 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: That Patchwork Place, Bothell, WA; ISBN: 9781564770585;
...
PS I Love You Baby Collection,
by Lynda Milligan, Nancy Smith (TPB:1990)
Notes: 80 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Possibilities, Denver, CO; ISBN: 0962247723;
One really nice applique Sunbonnet Sue/Overall Sam crib quilt...
Classic Quilt Series, No. 6: Sunbonnet Sue,
by Laura Nownes (TPB:1991)
Notes: 32 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Quilt Digest, ???; ISBN: 9780913327296;
...
Classic Quilt Series, No. 46: Sunbonnet Sue,
by Laura Nownes (TPB:19**)
Notes: 21 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Quilt Digest, ???; ISBN: 9780913327296;
...
Sunbonnet Sue's Neighborhood,
edited by Susan Ramey Cleveland (TPB:1996)
Notes: 48 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Oxmoor House, Birmingham, AL; ISBN: 0848712757;
DESIGNERS: Ginger Kean Berk, Arlet Collie, Zelda Wheeler Fasciano, Kay Hanson, Sandy McLeon, Annie Phillips, Geneva Schmidt, Cynthia Moody Wheeler...
A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue: 12 Small Quilts,
by Christine Porter, Darra Williamson (TPB:2011)
Notes: 80 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: That Patchwork Place, Woodinville, WA; ISBN: 9781604680188;
...
Sunbonnet Iron-On Transfers Project Book,
by Barbara Price, Jeanne Stauffer(editor) (TPB:1997)
Notes: 112 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 1882138295;
...
Sunbonnet Iron-On Transfers Project Book,
by Barbara Price, Beth Wheeler (TPB:1997)
Notes: 28 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: ???;
This booklet is supplementary to the 128 page book...
The Sunbonnet Alphabet Quilt: An Heirloom Embroidery Project, by Quilt World(magazine) (TPB:1991?)
Notes: 64 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Quilt World, Berne, IN; ISBN: Unknown;
Overall Bill: 12 Delightful Quilt Designs,
edited by Pauline Welton Rodgers (TPB:1991)
Notes: 16 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 0718963002;
I saw this one advertised on page 60 of Stitch'n Sew Quilts(Jan/Feb. 1992)...
Country Christmas: 28 Christmas Projects using the Log Cabin and Sunbonnet Sue Patterns,
by Sue Saltkill (TPB:1983)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: That Patchwork Place, Bothell, WA; ISBN: 0943574218;
...
Sunbonnet Sue Redwork Collection For All Seasons,
by Loyce Saxton (TPB:2014)
Notes: 96 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Annie's Attic, Big Sandy, TX; ISBN: 9781573675734;
...
Overall Bill In Love,
by Christine Schultz (TPB:1997)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: ???, ???; ISBN: *****;
20"x22" Wall Quilt...
Bonnet Girls: Patterns of the Past,
by Helen R Scott (TPB:2001)
Notes: 112 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: American Quilter's Society, Paducah, KY; ISBN: 1574327658;
...
Ladies' Day Out with the Bonnet Girls,
by Helen R Scott (TPB:2005)
Notes: 94 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: American Quilter's Society, Paducah, KY; ISBN: 1574328743;
...
The Quiltmaker Pattern Collection: Best Friends,
by Annie Tregay Segal (TPB:2004)
Notes: 19 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Primedia, ???; ISBN: 9780971371385;
...
Sunbonnet Sue Celebrates the Holidays: Stitch 3-D Calendar Blocks Depicting Sunbonnet Sue in a Variety of Costumes and Holiday Activities,
by Marian Shenk (TPB:2004)
Notes: 31 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 9781592170234;
...
Sunbonnet Sue,
by Pat Smith (COMB:2006)
Notes: * pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Patti-Ann Publications, ???; ISBN: 856638001014;
Originally designed as a Block of the Month for Grandma's Attic...
Sunbonnet Seasons,
by Karey Solomon (TPB:2021)
Notes: 26 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Continuing Threads Publications, Hector, NY;
ISBN: None;
These are tatted motifs to be appliqued; Karey Solomon's Website: http://www.gracefulartsfiberstudio.blogspot.com/
The Ultimate Collection of Classic Quilt Blocks,
edited by Jeanne Stauffer, Sandra L Hatch (HC:2002)
Notes: 176 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: 1882138880;
this book has a chapter of both the classic and some nice variant Sunbonnet Sues(no Sams)...
The Best of Overall Bill,
edited by Jeanne Stauffer (TPB:2006)
Notes: 18 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Annie's, ???; ISBN: 1592170943;
...
Fun with Sunbonnet Sue,
by Beesley Terrece, Trice Boerens (TPB:1999)
Notes: 128 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: That Patchwork Place, Woodinville, WA; ISBN: 9781564772688;
...
Sunbonnet Sue Is Alive and Well,
by Rita Weiss (TPB:1995)
Notes: 88 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: American School of Needlework, ???; ISBN: 9780881957372;
...
Sunbonnet Sue & Scottie(#141158),
by Beth Wheeler (TPB:2001)
Notes: 21 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: House of White Birches, Berne, IN; ISBN: None;
...
*,
by * (TPB:19**)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: ???; ISBN: 978;
...
