Quilts and Underground Railroad

Questions to think about? What are the origins of quilting? How were quilts used during the Underground Railroad? What do the symbols mean? Slave quilts fact or fiction?

What are quilts, and what is quilting? Quilt: A warm covering made of two layers of cloth filled with material with loft, stitched together with lines or patterns Quilting: two layers of fabric with lines of stitching

What are the origins of quilting? People believed it originated in China and Egypt simultaneously 11th Century Crusaders brought a form of quilting to Europe from the Middle East Quilts made during the 11th were made out of necessity because of severe cold In the 19th Century it became the great Quilting Age in Europe and America. Quilting Bees became popular

Quilting in Africa Quilts were weaved instead of stitched, Early African Civilizations used looms Work was done by men Loud color were used so that they could be seen from a distance and enemies could be spotted Patterns used could symbolize status, birth, marriages, and geographic locations Patterns were woven to ward off evil spirits

Use of Quilts on the Plantation Many slaves quilted blankets left from old flour sacks, feed sacks, worn clothes, rescued curtains, and old coats Slaves quilted blankets for coverlets for their Masters Slaves often hung out their master quilts in order that they may air out

So how were quilts used on the Underground Railroad? Many quilts had stitches that were used as maps. Maps for the road heading North, Maps of the Plantation. They included the manner of how to act and what to wear on the escape route North Quilts also included well wishes, and a way to ward off evil spirits for their journey North

Some common Quilt Patterns? Bear Claw- It means follow the path of the bear it would lead to water

Monkey Wrench Gather tools for the journey

The Wagon Wheel Pack ALL the necessary supplies, as if you were packing a wagon

Cross Roads Cleveland was the Cross Roads into Ohio and there were 5 different freedom trails from here

Log Cabin Draw a symbol in the dirt for the Conductor to see, or look for a safe house with the same pattern

Shoo Fly It is believed that this was a free black that could help slaves escape to freedom

Bow Tie Dress up, wear new clothes, so they you could pass for free blacks living in the North

Flying Geese Flying Geese fly North in the Spring time, so slaves should go North

Drunkard’s Path Slaves should walk in a zig zag path in order to confuse whoever was tracking them

Star Follow the North Star

Fact or Fiction? No artifacts left behind Recorded stories of slaves, they never mentioned it nor Abolitionist working on the Underground railroad Stories using slave quilts were passed down by word of mouth Recorded histories of symbols being used in fabric in Africa, why couldn’t that idea have traveled Spirituals, objects on the plantation and safe houses, body language were used to help slaves escape, so why not quilts

Activity Imagine that you are a conductor on the Underground Railroad You will create your own quilt squares (9) using construction paper to direct your slave to freedom. On the back include the interpretation of what each square means. Use a hole punch and ribbon to tread them together in a 3 x 3 design.