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Sunbonnet Sue as Modern Photog

9/19/2014

12 Comments

 
Sunbonnet Sue as Modern Photog custom baby quilt {Berry Barn Designs}
Finally! My finished Sunbonnet Sue. I completed this commissioned baby quilt for a great milspouse friend and client the day before we left on the most amazing camping trip ever. (See last week's very exciting post here if you missed my new baby news!)

My friend Stella Reynoso is a former professional photographer turned business mentor who had a dear friend expecting a baby girl. Her friend is also a photographer, and the mom-to-be's only request was a Sunbonnet Sue, so Stella asked me to come up with something incorporating both ideas that she could gift to her.
Sunbonnet Sue as Modern Photog custom baby quilt {Berry Barn Designs}
Admittedly, at first I wasn't very enthusiastic about the project because I find Sue's a bit traditional for my taste. But we all know I love applique, and after I got the go ahead to use some fabrics I'd been coveting from Riley Blake's Snapshots collection, I really got into it. I updated my Sue to have a more modern profile, and layered in some other colors for the skirt to tone down the busy focal print. I suggested she be holding a camera and snapping something, and Stella volunteered the family's initial. The finish is simple, clean, and bright - an aesthetic I love, and one that lends itself well to both a quick finish for the short deadline I was under, as well as to an eye catching and fun quilt for baby.
Monogrammed baby bib {Berry Barn Designs}

My first monogram was smaller than needed, so I whipped up a quick bib to add it to for a nice complementary gift. This bib pattern has been getting a lot of use from me lately - it's a freebie with endless design options that you can find at Nana Company. If you pop over to download it, take a moment to look around Amy's site at the various versions she's stitched - I'm a huge fan of her exquisite details!  

Sunbonnet Sue as Modern Photog custom baby quilt {Berry Barn Designs}
Sunbonnet Sue as Modern Photog custom baby quilt {Berry Barn Designs}

This is the project where I finally got smart and tried the spooled binding technique...

Aha! It works! And just think - I've had those two Wee Wander quilts languishing (how many months has it been?? eep!) all because I hate attaching binding. Geesh. I can't believe how much less annoying it was to attach just because of this one simple little trick. Maybe my girls will finally get their finished birthday quilts... in time for their half birthdays next month! 
And here's a lovely quote from the recipient's Facebook post when she received the gift: "...the most awesome quilt and bib EVER!!!! I love love love them!" I'm so happy that she was thrilled with the design, and hope her new daughter gets lots of enjoyment from her special quilt.
Sunbonnet Sue as Modern Photog custom baby quilt {Berry Barn Designs}
Ok, so speaking of baby quilts, I need to think of a design for my new little one. Both of the currently non-purposed quilts I have underway have a lot of pink in them, so they're going to have to have a different purpose. If you have suggestions for boy color schemes or patterns, I'd love some input! Perhaps something simple and quick since I have a lot less free time on my hands these days ; )
~ Sarah
P.S. I have every intention of uploading a free copy of the Sunbonnet Sue pattern I
created in case you'd like to adapt it for your own project. Give me a day to find another few minutes to squeeze in a fresh sketch and scan. I'll add it to this post as soon as I do!
Thanks for bearing with my "only twenty minutes at a time to accomplish anything" schedule right now lol.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Needle & Thread Thursday,
Fabric Frenzy Friday and Submarine Sunday.
12 Comments
alidiza link
9/18/2014 08:54:44

There is just so much awesome in this quilt!!! I love the camera fabric, the way you made Sue modern, the monogram, the striped binding... it all adds up to perfection:-) I'm sure it will be a treasured keepsake!

Reply
Lorna McMahon link
9/18/2014 12:54:58

This is just too cute! So perfect! Love the camera fabric and that binding. Bravo on such a beautiful finish, Sarah!

Reply
Heather Graves link
9/18/2014 13:54:55

What a wonderful modern spin on an endearing traditional staple! Love it

Reply
Sarah Goer link
9/18/2014 14:45:08

Thank goodness you finished it BEFORE your camping trip. The quilt is great. That camera fabric is so cute and your Sue is adorable. :-)

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Jamie Nunes
9/18/2014 17:01:33

Great stuff Sarah! Couldn't have turned out better!

Reply
Julia D link
9/18/2014 20:30:25

I've made a monkey quilt for a few baby boys and loved the pattern each and every time. It was taking me around 2 weeks from beginning to end and only sewing a few hours a day. It has long strips for the centre with three appliqué monkeys. Then a quick pieced border. If you check out my blog in the May/June section, look for a post called Monkey Quilt and you can see what it looks like. Another quick one, I've used is a charm square baby quilt. I made one in girl colours but boy colours could simply be used. Let me know if either pattern interests you. And beautiful job on the baby quilt :)

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Alison @ LBQ link
9/20/2014 00:32:28

I love it! That binding is just fantastic.

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Jo link
9/20/2014 21:50:55

Bloglovin kept throwing errors when I tried opening your post ( 'page not found') which usually happens when someone posts but then deleted the page but I'm so glad I clicked to your blog to double check. I love this quilt! And that camera print is amazing as a backing. I'm so tempted to buy it also but... I have no need... must resist... (I did end up buying the grey text print from the line for part of a backing of another quilt though :D).

As for boy patterns, there are the basic ones from Fat Quarter Shop's short cut quilts (the Jelly Roll Jam, Layer Cake Lemonade etc). What about making a block giant, like a huge churn dash? Or

Bonnie and Camille's next line Daysail has boats and text prints in blues (dark and light), greens and reds which is cute but not out til early next year. Sweetwater have a similar palette with a boat theme in their Boat House line which I think is out before Christmas. Or Kate Spain's Horizon has a mix of blues and greens and purples?

I've also seen a super adorable line called 'Vikings' and I wish I had a little boy so i could make him Viking things: http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/alexander_henry_house_designer/the_vikings how cute are they?!

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T'onna @ USS Crafty link
9/21/2014 08:07:49

Such a cute quilt! I love that camera fabric!

Navy Wifey Peters @ <a href="http://www.usscrafty.com/2014/09/submarine-sunday-102.html">Submarine Sunday Link Party!</a>

Reply
Anja
9/22/2014 03:21:27

So nice to see to her finished. Great job.

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Chelsea Huckins link
9/28/2014 10:51:11

This quilt finished up adorable! And love the matching bib, your friend is going to love this one :)

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Rachel @ Quiltineering link
10/2/2014 04:21:21

How could she not like that quilt - its so cute! I love how you were able to adapt something so traditional to make it modern and fun. Congrats!

Reply



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    Sarah Nunes @BerryBarnDesigns
    Welcome! I'm Sarah. As a milmompreneur maker, wherever I go, I quilt, teach & sew! ​{Bio}  
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