Aisha Jimenez
Quilting in America
Mini Report- American Literature
Quilting isn’t just pieces of cloth sewn together, you may consider quilting plain and simple and only for the need of creating a blanket to keep warm, and while this is one aspect of quilting; it is far from the entirety of what quilting truly is. History considers quilting to be beautiful art pieces that reflect a time period as well as the important women that spent countless hours creating these quilts. Quilting in America should be looked at in so many different ways, but one of the most important aspects that should not be ignored, is that of the empowerment of women and how quilts became a symbol of their strength and independence.
Quilting was thrust into importance
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In order to contribute to the cause women began to use quilts to raise funds, and to make statements of friendships, politics and social values. Quilts were also raffled off to support the abolitionist cause before the war; and another interesting belief is that quilts were far more important than a fundraising technique. Though it has never been proven as history has not provided researchers with any actual evidence, there is belief that quilts were used as sings or symbols for those slaves using the Underground Railroad to escape oppression. “A Log Cabin quilt hanging in a window with a black center for the chimney hole was said to indicate a safe house. Underground Railroad quilts, a variation of Jacob's Ladder, were said to give cues as to the safe path to freedom.” (Breneman, Underground Railroad Quilts). This was a symbol of strength and hope to traveling slaves; but it was also a symbol of strength and hope for women. The idea that women were simply to stay at home and become care givers to the husband and children was incorrect, and with a subtle quilt sign in the windows of homes to safely guide slaves to freedom, women thrust their views to the forefront of social dilemmas as their ideals, morals, and beliefs, are equally as important as any