Sunbonnet Babies and Chickens – Free Redwork Pattern

In quilting, most people know about Sunbonnet Sue, a popular design that has been around for many years. Well, here’s a different take on that traditional design. These are Sunbonnet Babies done in Redwork hand embroidery.

Originating in the mid 1800s, redwork has been a popular embroidery technique for a long time. You can see the work on pillows, dish towels, quilts, and coverlets just to name a few.

Ideal for adding to a tea towel or even a quilt panel, this adorable pattern from Grandma’s Attic Sewing Emporium is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. It is a traditional design with two children feeding a flock of chicks.

The pattern suggest using the outline stitch (also known as the Kensington stitch) for the project. It looks to me like the polka dots on the one dress are made with french knots. You will need an embroidery hoop, floss, canvas and a needle to complete this project.

Embroidered onto a set of tea towels, this design would make a lovely gift for someone. Of course, if you prefer not to do the project in redwork, you could always do bluework or blackwork.

Click here to get this charming free pattern: Sunbonnet Babies

[photo from Grandma’s Attic Sewing Emporium]

Sunbonnet Sue is a classic embroidery pattern that has been around since the late 19th century. It features a young girl wearing a bonnet and dress, holding a basket or umbrella.

The pattern was first created by Ella J. Sperry, a popular embroidery artist of the time. The pattern quickly became popular and was used by many embroiderers to decorate quilts, clothing, and other items.

Today, Sunbonnet Sue is still popular among embroiderers and quilters, and there are many free patterns available online. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced embroiderer, Sunbonnet Sue is a great pattern to start with – it’s easy to learn and can be adapted to suit any skill level. So if you’re looking for a classic pattern to get started with, Sunbonnet Sue is it!

Explaining Dia de Los Muertos to kids can be difficult because most of us don’t generally talk about death or what happens when we die a lot with our kids. But Dia de los Muertos is actually a happy, not scary occasion that allows us to remember loved ones, share stories and come together as a community.

While it is mostly celebrated by people of Mexican heritage, the day has become more well known thanks to movies and other media representations. And there are some great children’s books to help explain and allow you to celebrate the holiday if you want.

Dia de Muertos by Jaque Jours, illustrated by Alejandra Ruiz (48 pages, hardcover, published 2025 by words & pictures, suggested retail price $14.99) tells the story of a family getting their ofrenda (altar for the dead) ready and how they remember people who have died through decorations, food and sharing stories.

It covers the classic decorations and rituals of Dia de los Muertos including using cempasúchil (in English we call them marigolds) and papel picado (cut paper banners), pan de muerto and la catrina, the elaborately dressed, skull faced women that are a common site at Dia de los Muertos gatherings.

The back of the book explores how the day is celebrated throughout Mexico as well as the meanings of different symbols. There’s a recipe for pan de muerto, a tutorial for making papel picado and tips for doing makeup to look like like la catrina/el catrin.

Want to try more traditional foods? The Dia de Los Muertos Cookbook is a companion to The Dia de Los Muertos Story, both of which are by Andrea Jáuregui de la Torre and illustrated by Laura González (52 pages, hardcover paper over boards, published 2026 by becker & meyer kids!, suggested retail price $19.99).

The book opens with some discussion of the meaning of Dia de los Muertos and why food is an important part of the day. The recipes included are easy enough for kids to make with minimal help, and all based on food memories from her childhood.

There are recipes for hibiscus iced tea, Mexican corn and salsa, tortillas, molletes (open faced sandwiches with beans and cheese), jicama fries and sugar skulls to name a few.

Other activities in the book include papel picado, coffee filter marigolds, making your own playlist and making an ofrenda.

Together these books give young readers insight into this holiday that might be new or confusing to them, while also giving you a chance to get in the kitchen together and make your own Dia de los Muertos memories.

Have you read?