It was a dark and stormy night. A young woman, wearing a sunbonnet and an apron and known as a pillar of the community, was found dead in highly suspicious circumstances. When contacted, a neighbor said, “I didn’t really know her—she was quiet. But she seemed like such a good girl—who would want her dead?”
Sunbonnet Sue was dead. And I, for one, was glad.
______________________________________
I spend a lot of time writing, in hushed and reverent tones, about crafts made by “loving hands at home.” I realize that this adds to a pervasive stereotype of makers—quilters, knitters, gardeners, bakers—as old-fashioned, traditional, proper, boring good girls.
It’s easy to lose track of the real, complicated human beings who choose to express themselves by making things, people who are creative, who have strong personalities and opinions, and who are funny!
The life cycle of the quilt and embroidery pattern known as Sunbonnet Sue serves as a perfect example of the ways people, real people, have used one icon to serve lots of different purposes and express a lot of different views of the world.
The original Sunbonnet Sue sort of stands for the stereotype of the prim, faceless crafter. In a previous post, I referred to her as ubiquitous and, in the United States, in the early- and mid-20th century, she really was!
Images of Sunbonnet Sue originated in book illustrations from the late 1800s.
Between 1900 and the 1930s, Sunbonnet Sue started showing up in embroidery and quilt patterns that were widely disseminated in the US, according to Carla Tilghman in her very interesting academic paper about the evolution of Sunbonnet Sue (I found the paper at www.academia.edu/5767883/The_Life_Death_and_Resurrection_of_Sun_Bonnet_Sue but am unable to create a link that will take you there–sorry!) At one point, patterns for making a Sue quilt appeared in 900 newspapers!
Sunbonnet Sue clearly struck a chord with many women, offering a sweet and innocent image of childhood.
But Sue was always such a Goody Two-Shoes! The quilt and embroidery images of her showed her in namby-pamby good-girl activities, watering flowers, playing with her dolly, just standing around looking cute.
According to Tilghman, in the heat of the feminist movement of the 1970s, some quilters, feminists all, decided that prissy Sue needed to die. From their collaboration, came the quilt, “The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue.” The quilt was composed of twenty panels, each quilter killing Sue off in a different way.
And they didn’t allow Sue to die a peaceful death either . . .
Some of Sue’s deaths were just regular misfortune—she was hit by lightning.
She was tied to railroad tracks.
She was eaten by a snake. (I LOVE this one!)
It could happen to any of us, right?
But this Sunbonnet Sue was also a citizen of a complicated world, dying some pretty modern deaths. Sue died at Jonestown, Guyana—yes, she drank the KoolAid.
Sue died at Three Mile Island.
She self-immolated.
She ran afoul of the mob.
She committed Sue-icide.
I have to admit, seeing this quilt for the first time made me downright gleeful. I love the subversive attitude and the wit. Lots of people found it distasteful, though—I read quilting forums where people railed against these makers, and prayed for the souls of the poor dead Sues.
I do believe this is the sort of thing about which reasonable people may disagree. Give me funny, irreverent crafters any day!
Sunbonnet Sue has continued to evolve. I’m sure there are people out there making traditional Sues to give to cherished grandchildren but others still choose to kill Sue off in gruesome ways and also to reinvent her as a 21st-century kind of gal!
If you go looking, you’ll find lots of images of “bad Sue” patterns these days. Bad Sue lives as she wishes. The website for Urban Threads, for instance, offers lots of patterns for thoroughly modern “Sinbonnet” Sues—goodbye to innocence! Goodbye to prim! These girls embrace the 7 Deadly Sins, as well as roller derby and tattoos.
The Deadly Sin of Sloth
In today’s world, there are Sues for every taste, as many Sues as there are makers. If you are a modern maker, you didn’t need me to tell you that you are complicated and multi-faceted. You didn’t need me to tell you that you are naughty and nice, and that you have a sense of humor and awareness of the world around you.
If you were going to make a Sunbonnet Sue that represented you, what would she be doing? If you remember my most recent post, mine might be pulling weeds with one hand and wielding a cocktail in the other! Or crafting with attitude!
Love Those "Hands at Home" 
Irreverent indeed and very funny. Have you read the story of Goody Two Shoes? I think it’s a bit tongue in cheek at times too.
No, I haven’t read the actual story–I’ll need to do that!
It’s not just tongue-in-check; also a social commentary and, if I am interpreting it accurately, Goody Two Shoes isn’t so much good as subversive to the status quo. I am enjoying the academic paper.
I love subversive! And I’m glad you were able to access the paper. I found it very readable . . .
I hope things are okay for you–no posts in a long time . . . I don’t want to pry in “public” here–just wanted you to know I am thinking of you.
Okay, but I am tired! Thank you. I was planning to post something today but it hasn’t happened. Just to add to life’s dramas; my mother, who is 92, was admitted to hospital last Thursday. Luckily she was allowed home today; home being in Australia. I made cake at the weekend to take my mind off things and dropped the flour container on the floor; LOL! I could have done with Sunbonnet Sue and her tidy broom. Still flour isn’t as bad as milk. Or maybe that’s not true. The dog will help lick up milk where as he is not interested in licking up flour!!!!
You’ve had more than your share of life’s drama lately! I can see why you haven’t been posting–don’t want to pressure you to; just wanted to be sure everything was basically okay. Dropping the flour canister–yikes. My big fear is dropping a big bowl of melted chocolate . . . it hasn’t happened yet!
Oh that would be spectacular! Perish the thought.
Just finished the article. Have you read any of the Sunbonnet Babies’ Primers? The original Sunbonnet Sue graphic reminds me of the Steiner or Waldorf doll http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_doll which is very simple, with almost no facial expression, so that the child can use their own imagination with the doll. I was going to say that Sunbonnet Sue may not have lasted so long if her features had been more defined but then look at Barbie! She goes on and on but not on quilts as far as I know. I could be wrong about that!
Oh, would you mind checking the link to the academic paper? Not sure if it is working. Thanks.
Shoot–the link is correct but the site must block this kind of sharing. I changed my post to provide the actual URL–maybe if you copy and paste it into your browser? Or Google the author’s name and the topic? It really is worth reading.
http://www.academia.edu/5767883/The_Life_Death_and_Resurrection_of_Sun_Bonnet_Sue
Sue is my least favorite quilting icon! Thanks so much for the notice of her death. I’ll check back again later to look at some of your links, too. Thanks again. This was a great way to start my day!
Glad to provide a laugh!
Kerry, I chuckled and laughed my way through this post. What fantastic images! I’ll have to give some thought to what my own personal Sunbonnet Sue would look like. Thanks for this post…a good way to start the day!
Aren’t they wonderful? I found another site where the woman had one of “Sue meets Hitchcock’s The Birds”–pretty gruesome and funny! I love how witty people are!
As a child of the 70’s Sunbonnet Sue will always be Holly Hobby to me. I remember a big Holly Hobby quilt that hung on the wall of my room as a child. Definitely not the icon I would choose for myself these days. As for irreverent Sue/Holly or whatever the name of our homely bonneted frenemy is, I love the humor in these Bad Sues. I figure those who are making a fuss are just as boring as old Sue. My bad Sue would definitely be wielding a can of spray paint and that cocktail doesn’t sound bad either…
I had completely forgotten Holly Hobby (I’m a child of an earlier era)! But, of course, you’re right that she’s just a more modern incarnation of Sue and just as insipid. I like the image of Sue with spray paint!
This is fantastic! I’ve always loved that Chesterton quote used in the paper, too.
My Sunbonnet Sue would definitely be shown ripping that hat off so that we can see her face! As I looked at these images I kept swatting at my eyes and combing back my hair — I want my Sue to SEE AND BE SEEN!
Jackie, you’re awesome! I love this comment!
I loved looking at the photos!
Good–glad to make you smile!
What an amusing trace through the history of a quilted icon, love the humour attached to some of the images.
The makers of those quilt blocks were pretty clever!
What a cracking story. I love the one (I’m sorry to say) of her tied to the railroad track. It might be more fitting though if she simply died of overwork and boredom in a sweat shop. Poor Sue…..
That’s a good point about the overwork and boredom–that’s, no doubt, what her real life would’ve been like! So glad you enjoyed this!
I giggled my way through this post — the snake one is hilarious! And Sue-icide! And those tiny matches as she sets herself on fire! I loved them all. I didn’t really know much about Sunbonnet Sue until about 10 years ago when I started to attend the Puyallup Fair in Washington with my family. Every year we make a point to look at the quilting display, which is always full of Sunbonnet Sues. I think I enjoy her as a bad girl much more than as a goody two shoes. =)
I know people love her as Goody Two Shoes (or there wouldn’t be so many of her!) but I love knowing she’s more complicated than that! When you see the good Sue quilts, you’ll always think of her dark side now!
I am not a quilter so I did not know the history and deep feelings about Sue. Her image reminds me of Laura Ingalls Wilder 🙂
I can see that! She’s sort of the stereotypical little pioneer girl.
I shame-facedly giggled as you immolated and hung my mysterious childhood beauty. Not having had the long exposure to her that you have obviously had [she is a associated for me with a safe time in a rocky childhood – and seen fondly, but rarely since]. Despite the myriad cruel deaths and modernising of her, I still remain firmly attached to that tiny and innocent image!
I thought of you, and your affection for Sue, as I wrote this! I think many of us would be somewhat ambivalent about the good Sue. After all, that which is innocent and safe at one stage can become too confining later. (I’m not sure I’m making any sense.) Sue’s popularity across the years strongly suggests that she was (and is) important to LOTS of people!
Witty and creative, especially the “Sue-icide” one. Hmm, my Sue would be on the porch reading a book or in the kitchen making a batch of biscotti.
my mother loved Sue – think she wished I was a little more like her. even as a child I disliked her – “goodie two shoes”. I wanted to push her into a muddy puddle. thanks for a great start to the day, I’ll spend all day deciding my Sue persona.
I felt the same way about Sue–she never really made sense to me. Who could be that good all the time?! Who would wan to be?
Oh how you and Dead Sue made me laugh!!! Love it. Ever since I started making little girls dresses from vintage fabrics,about 3 years ago, Hollie Hobbie has been my best seller. Mums always get nostalgic about their childhood bedrooms and want there own daughters to wear a HH dress. I did make one dress where Hollies broom was replaced with an electric guitar….maybe my reaction to her tweeness? Now my brain is filled with irreverent ideas to appliqué!!!…thanks Kerry.
You could transform Hollie into a woman of the 21st century! Think of how much fun that would be!
I really enjoy reading about the history of these. So interesting. Thank you. I also love that these are bring updated for the modern day.x
I love it, too–the wit and humor make it so much fun.
Fun history, photos, and info!
Thanks for stopping by!
Haha, I can see people sigh: ” is nothing Holy anymore in our lives???” But no, Sinbonnet Sue is a hilarious story and part of our crafting life and history! I loved the Sloth Sue best. But my Selfie Sue would probably be the opposite with indeed with cocktail at hand…
“Selfie Sue”–I like that! Mine would need several hands and arms, all engaged in different tasks. And, yes, a cocktail . . .
I do feel sorry for Sue, but this post and images made me smile… Never heard of Sonbonnet Sue before, thanks for sharing. A great story to start of the day.
I couldn’t help laughing at some of those pictures–people are so creative!
Love this!
Too creative and funny, right?!
Lovely!
Thanks for stopping by!
love this badgirl Sue. Go gettum grrl 😉
Yes! She’s someone I’d want for a friend!
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That’s awful! Who would do that?!
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Please may I follow your blog by email?
I rolled on the floor laughing at this……tears streaming from my eyes…..love Sunbonnet and I teach hand applique using/doing a Sunbonnet Sue…..She needs to be rotary cut-ted and stitched to death in the ditch and trapped under a fallen patchwork house…this is so tongue-in-cheek–that’s what makes it so funny!
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this! Old Sue provokes a lot of strong emotions–love and hate!
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It’s May 2017, and I have just reblogged your Death of Sue to KenMaursCorner! LOVED it (your take on killing off Sue)Due to trying to please a non quilting friend who has just discovered Sue and quilting themed novels, I found you whilst googling SBS.. Sin bonnet Sue and BAD -ass Sue: I wish I’d known of them years ago. Somehow I don’t think that Jill will get a “sweet saccharin Sue from me
I have never, never, never understood the appeal of SBS. She is too good for my taste–too cute, too fussy. Still, different strokes for different folks, as we used to say!
I had never given much thought to SBS, as she has never appealed to me in any way. Most of my quilting and embroidering has been worked on the principle of “what if? Why not?”
I must admit I did enjoy seeing Sue on a BBQ spit!
Can you post a pic of the quilt RIP Sun Bonnet Sue? I saw it at a quilt show once and told my sister about it. She didn’t believe me.
Hi–you can find a photo of the quilt at this link: http://www.museum.msu.edu/glqc/collections_2001.158.01.html
Just gleefully clicked my way to your entertainingly irreverent Sunbonnet Sue post. : D …Funny, I never took a liking to SBS’s perfect, smug attitude. My grandmother gifted my oldest with a SBS quilt when she was a toddler. Not sure what happened to it, as it meandered its way through her great granddaughters over the last 30 years. I asked my oldest if she’d like to track it down. She answered succinctly, “Nope.” LOL.
It seems there are two kinds of people in the world–those who love and those who hate Sunbonnet Sue. Always pleased to find another hater! 😉
Thank you for that. I hadnt realised Sunbonnet Sue had been going on for so long and the blog made me laugh so much. Just what I needed before going to a hospital appointment.
Thanks for leaving a comment–I’m happy to know the post brightened a scary day a little! I hope you’re well!
Thanks for the grins and history. Who was to know? “Sue-icide” made me laugh!
I love the wit and creativity behind all this!
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One one hand I agree, Sunbonnet Sue has been around a very long time. How many things can you quilt, embroider of her doing something new. Group I belong to did a pattern swap yers go. I have over 200 patterns of Sue and Sam. But . . loved the two Sues at the end . . tattoos and all. Sue of Today! You go girl! Love to see more like this in a book, collection of patterns . . . . New Sue Quilt!
Well, when I’ not quilting, sewing (I even have a day job selling sewing machines !), or gardening…I’m zooming in my ’96 Miata -Red, top down. That’s probably how I’d picture my “Sue”!
couldn’t love this more. My current project is to use a very deteriorated Sue quilt over canvas to depict how 4 old Sue’s are dealing with relationship problems. She is the gift that keeps on giving!!! I will credit your commentary when I write the description and inspiration. @loveyoumoremama. Instagram