Sunbonnet Sue as Modern Photog

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.

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.

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!  

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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.

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.