Go To Quilt Squares The Hidden Message
When the slaves communicated secretly,
they often used quilts. They had many different patterns,
each with its own secret meaning. How did the young children
learn these patterns you may ask? The older parents whipped
out a quilt called "a sampler," and taught them.
"The sampler," quilt was made from all the
patterns used for secret messages. The pattern
called,"The Flying Geese," told the slaves which
direction to travel. They also had a pattern called,"The
Wagon Wheel." It meant that you needed to get your
things together for the journey. "The Tumbling
Blocks" pattern told them to pack up their belongings.
The number of blocks on the quilt equaled how many days
until they escaped. If the slaves saw a pattern
called,"Log Cabin," it meant that the occupants of
that house were taking in slaves. These people, who were
mostly freed blacks and some whites, gave the slaves
clothes. If the slaves saw a pattern called, "North
Star," it meant to follow the North star to freedom. The
slaves always traveled north to get to
freedom.