Shoo-Fly Quilt Block #2- 6" x 6"

This beautiful quilt block dish was created by cutting and combining complimentary glass pieces on a clear glass base. The pieces were created from blue streaky transparent and opaque white glass, assembled on a clear base.  Plate has gentle slopes.

Prices does not include the stand.

A little history about how the Shoo-Fly quilt was used in the Underground Railroad - from http://www.edwardshistory.org/tales/undergroundrr/

The idea of enslaving human beings was not acceptable to many people and so the Underground Railroad came into being.  This was network of abolitionists who helped slaves escape to Ohio and Canada.  Safe houses, hopefully no farther than 10-11 miles apart, were called "stations", those who guided the escapees were known as "conductors" and the runaways themselves were called "passengers".

Reaching a "station" in the North meant food, clothing, and a place to hide if capture seemed imminent.  Estimates are that as many as 100,000 people escaped slavery between the American Revolution and the Civil War.

The blacks were not allowed to learn to read and write so the abolitionists had to devise a way to silently communicate directions to escapees, thus the idea of quilt patterns with meanings for those wanting freedom came into being.  These quilts with special patterns could be hung on a line, out an open window or other places and not arouse any suspicions.  They looked simply like a housewife airing her bedding.

Shoo-Fly - This pattern represents an actual person who would help escaping slaves.  His responsibility was to secretly aid and harbor fugitives.  Sometimes the slaves hid out in churches, or caves referred to as cathedrals.  Graveyards were frequently the hiding place, especially if they were located on the outskirts of town, or were close to rivers.

Prices does not include the stand.