USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Quilts of the Underground Railroad describes a controversial belief that quilts were used to communicate information to African slaves about how to escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad. It has been disputed by a number of historians.

Detailed explanation-2: -One way was the language of quilts, a special type of symbolic dialogue, that guided runaway slaves on their way to freedom through the perils of travel, darkness, hatred and hunger. As fugitive slaves travelled, they passed houses-sometimes other slave quarters-whereon hung quilts on porches or railings.

Detailed explanation-3: -The seamstress would hang the quilts in full view one at a time, allowing the slaves to reinforce their memory of the pattern and its associated meaning. When slaves made their escape, they used their memory of the quilts as a mnemonic device to guide them safely along their journey, according to McDaniel.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the time of the Underground Railroad, the log cabin quilt was used to signify a safe house or safe place (church or other building) where people could stay for the night or for a few days. Think of how wonderful it would feel to see this quilt outside a home or church after a long day of walking.

Detailed explanation-5: -Slaves made quilts for the plantation family, sometimes under the supervision of the plantation mistress, but WPA interviews attest to the prevalence of quiltmaking in the slave quarters for their own use as well. Some slave seamstresses became highly regarded for their skill.