Friday, November 10, 2006

Hidden in Plain View


I've just read a great book called Hidden in Plain Veiw: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad. The writting style was not my favorite, but the ideas that people used quilts to send secret messages to escaping slaves during the 1800's is really cool. The authors did extensive research into the symbols used and their african origins that affected many quilt patterns still used today. Even the way the knots were tied was a code for something. The book mentions other things such as songs, disguises, escape routes and the heroic people who made a difference. It is a dramatic story that really happened. I have gained a better appreciation, not only for the underground railroad, but also for quilting. maybe i'll make one.