Today's Featured Tutorial -- Sunbonnet Sue Magnets

            

I like Sunbonnet Sues and I make them into magnets or you can add a loop and hang them in a window or wherever you like. They could be used as Christmas ornaments.

                        
There are only 7 pieces

2 Hat pieces
2 Dress pieces
2 Boot pieces
1 Pocket piece

You can match or contrast the thread.

The pattern pieces I hope will come out the right size but if not you can resize them on a copy machine to the size you want.

       










                                              Here are the pieces cut out

                            
                                                 
                                    Next we are going to make the pocket

Fold over the edge of the pocket and iron it so it will stay down

                         
 

Baste a thread along the top of the pocket and when you get to the corner fold the corner in

                         
                               Run a stitch through the corner

When you get to the other corner fold it in like you did the first one. Then fold the side over and baste upto the corner. Make sure you put a stitch in the corner.

           

fold the rest of the side over and continue basting around the rest of the pocket

Here is the pocket with basting thread

Sew the pocket on under your sewing machine needle or by hand and then rip out the basting thread. I used red here so you could see it.

TIP: if you use the same color thread as the thread you are going to use to sew it on - if you miss picking anything out it is less noticable. The basting thread sometimes will hide and you can't see it.

Pocket all done!

        
Put the two pieces together and sew around the edge. Leave an inch on top so you can turn it easily and leave an opening in the bottom for the boot to go through.

Turn it right side out and use a turning tool ( I use the tip of my mini scissors) to push out the shape of the dress . I also fold in the neck area so it fits up into the hat easily. Iron it flat.

This is the size boot I prefer but you can use the larger template or a square to rep a boot. Start sewing down a bit from the top edge so you can turn it easier.

I start to turn by bunching up the fabric on the tip of my scissors.

I push the scissors with the bunched up fabric up into the center as I pull down on the edges of the top

Continue to use the scissors tip or turning tool to work the boot out.

Push out the toe and straighten the edges inside

You can enlarge the boot pattern if you like for a larger boot if that is a bit easier to handle. Just add a seam allowance and make sure if you do enlarge it that you keep the same angle of the top.

If you use white thread it will show and look like laces.

Here is the boot

You can see the top how it gets a bit frayed but that is ok as it will be hidden inside the dress

Now you can slip the boot up into the opening at the bottom of the dress.

Sew across the boot inside the dress to anchor it in place

 

 Ok now you need to sew the hat on and finish the Sue.

I prefer to buy the magnets for business cards as they are flat. The only other magnets I found were in a roll and they don't work as well. I had a hard time getting the roll kind to not want to roll up.

So cut a piece of magnet about 2 1/2" x 3/4" wide or whatever size you like. I like to place it so it is evenly between the top and bottom of the Sue.

Sew around the hat. Keep closer to the pointed ends when you start so you leave a good opening to place it down on the dress and be able to get a good angle on the hat.

Here is the hat with the opening folded inside

Put the neck of the dress through the opening of the hat. Then sew around the hat and also sew a finish seam around the dress. Now you have a completed Sunbonnet Sue.