How to Sew Slave Quilts

A "slave quilt" is a collection of specific quilt block designs used to assist slaves in their escapes via the Underground Railroad. Historians record seventeen different designs, all with a specific message, that were included in quilts for the purpose of communication. A quilt hung to air on a clothesline or porch rail was a common occurrence and raised no suspicion, and thus became the foremost method of passing word along to fleeing slaves.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Collect fabrics for the quilt from varied sources. Use cast-off clothing and household linens and sewing remnants and then fill in with newly purchased fabrics. Work with 100 percent cottons that are laundered and well-pressed.

2. Research the possible blocks for the quilt as well as the corresponding messages. Choose a series of blocks that tell a story, or pick random blocks for their artistic qualities. Piece the blocks side-by-side or alternate with solid color blocks or borders. (See Resources)

3. Highlight the "North Star" pattern as a focus of the quilt. Render this design in the traditional scheme of solid blue or a blue print on a white background.

4. Include the "Flying Geese" pattern, which was there to remind escaping slaves to follow the northern path of migrating Canadian geese.

5. Use the "Bow Tie" design to suggest that the fleeing individuals dressed in their Sunday best to avoid detection as slaves. Include the "Double Wedding Ring" as instructions to pose as a married couple.

6. Start with the "Wagon Wheel" and "Monkey Wrench" designs, both used to convey a message to "get the wagon ready" and "gather the necessary tools" for escape. Set these two designs early in a story-telling quilt.

7. Create the "Drunkard's Path" in blue and white, two colors that were thought to ward off evil. Use this design to include a reminder to avoid travel in a straight line, but rather to zig, zag and double back occasionally to throw off trackers.

Resources

• Slave quilt exhibit