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The Underground Railroad Sampler
Take a trip on the Underground Railroad! Join Eleanor Burns and Sue Bouchard as they guide you through the story of the Underground Railroad. Learn how fifteen quilt blocks may have played a significant role in communication between the slaves and how it helped them on their way to freedom.The book has 168 full color pages with step by step instructions for each of the 15 blocks. There are also directions to make a miniature Underground Railroad quilt. The book contains yardage and cutting charts in addition to fabric identification pages that will assist the quilter in cutting and marking her fabric for this beautiful sampler. "Underground Railroad Sampler" also includes a color page depicting the "Story of the Underground Railroad" that can be photocopied onto Photo Transfer Fabric and included in the quilt.
168 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 30, 2008
Based on inacurate history but the patterns are great.
January 24, 2019
This book has nice technical information for constructing beautiful traditional quilts. Underground Railroad Sampler gives a fairytale-like narrative of people escaping their oppressors. Each quilt has a story about how a quilt may have helped an oppressed individual get away. Unfortunately, the book repeatedly uses racist language in each story. The author begins the tale by sharing that people leaving bondage called themselves "passengers" on the Underground Railroad yet this respectable language is soon forgotten throughout the rest of the book. African Americans are repeatedly referred to as "Slaves" and "fugitives" in contrast to dignified terms used for evil oppressors who are referred to as "slaveholders", "slave owner" or "plantation owners". The author conspicuously describes "blacks" as the slaves but does not describe "whites" as the enslavers.
"..., Let my people go, that they may serve me" Exodus 9:1
God never refers to His "people" as slaves. God does not make slaves. This book needs revision
"..., Let my people go, that they may serve me" Exodus 9:1
God never refers to His "people" as slaves. God does not make slaves. This book needs revision
January 27, 2016
As other reviewers have mentioned, the historical accuracy of quilts as code on the Underground Railroad is questionable. (And the authors simply mention that the book and patterns are inspired by Ozella McDaniel Williams' story, they make no claim to the book being factual).
I checked this book out because I am pondering making a Civil War quilt, and wanted to get some fabric ideas. (The authors also include alternate fabric choices for the blocks - like Depression Era fabrics that are much brighter)
I'm not ready to begin, but I am very glad I looked through this book.
(I have often overlooked Eleanor Burns' books with the mistaken idea that she has been around so long that her techniques would be outdated - I couldn't have been more wrong, and I won't be making that mistake again.)
I will check this book out again for Eleanor Burns' tips and techniques, especially when I finally start a Drunkard's Path. She uses a circle applique technique, and then cuts the block into quarters. Brilliant!
I checked this book out because I am pondering making a Civil War quilt, and wanted to get some fabric ideas. (The authors also include alternate fabric choices for the blocks - like Depression Era fabrics that are much brighter)
I'm not ready to begin, but I am very glad I looked through this book.
(I have often overlooked Eleanor Burns' books with the mistaken idea that she has been around so long that her techniques would be outdated - I couldn't have been more wrong, and I won't be making that mistake again.)
I will check this book out again for Eleanor Burns' tips and techniques, especially when I finally start a Drunkard's Path. She uses a circle applique technique, and then cuts the block into quarters. Brilliant!
November 29, 2011
This goes with Jacqueline Tobin's "Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of the Underground Railroad". In fact, in the 'sampler, are many quotes from Tobin's book.
I fully agree with other readers/quilters that this information is inadequate. I have a review for Tobin's book, too.
Now, as I am a little intrigued about quilting, I do like Eleanor Burn's instructions. She has quite the series and many quilting items which I've been able to find at stores such as "Field's Fabrics" in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and a few shops in Shipshewana, Indiana.
Eleanor, before I tackle any of these blocks, I'm going to do some simple ones.
Highly recommended to all quilters!
I fully agree with other readers/quilters that this information is inadequate. I have a review for Tobin's book, too.
Now, as I am a little intrigued about quilting, I do like Eleanor Burn's instructions. She has quite the series and many quilting items which I've been able to find at stores such as "Field's Fabrics" in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and a few shops in Shipshewana, Indiana.
Eleanor, before I tackle any of these blocks, I'm going to do some simple ones.
Highly recommended to all quilters!
August 23, 2022
Good directions for making quilt blocks to make a quilt, sampler style or one design, reminiscent of the Underground Railroad quilts that helped slaves escape to freedom. Nice historical snippets included with each quilt.
October 1, 2018
Love the history. Want to make a quilt based on this book.
February 7, 2019
Great reference!!!
March 27, 2019
I enjoy the mix of history and quilting instructions.
January 31, 2024
An amazing story. I love reading about the history of quilting. Knowing it was such an important part of the underground railroad and the history of the US makes me love it even more.
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October 17, 2016This book is actually a pattern book to teach quilters how to create Underground Railroad quilts. However, I used it as a visual guide on what these quilts may have looked like, and how conductors used them to direct fugitive slaves to freedom road. The history of the Underground Railroad discussed throughout the book is very brief. You will need to read the book "Hidden in Plain View" to get a better idea of the workings of the Underground Railroad. I recommend this book to visual learners or to a quilter who wants to keep history alive.
January 26, 2014
Enjoyed this book a lot and will be taking the Journey of making the Quilt later this year. The one negative I see is there isnt enough evidence to prove this really was used so there really shoulld have been a page letting readers know that.
August 15, 2014
I love that this quilt is a piece of history. The book goes over the story, and lays out the steps to making this beautiful quilt. It's very simple and straight forward, very helpful, and wonderfully designed. I would definitely give this book 20 stars if I could.
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January 28, 2016Eleanor Burns is a legend in quilting circles. She is not afraid to try new techniques on old patterns and to admit when she is wrong.
This book is an excellent introduction to making historically-accurate reproduction quilts.
This book is an excellent introduction to making historically-accurate reproduction quilts.
September 21, 2009
Since I liked the Victory Quilts book so much, I'm going to give this one a try. I got it as a gift about a year ago but never found the time... I think I'll give it another look.
July 13, 2015
Really liked the patterns and the history of the quilts featured. I hope to make a sampler in the near future.
September 19, 2016
excellent book about slavery and the slaves escapes through underground rr
April 13, 2017
Wonderful, gripping, It was wonderful to have finished it the night before it was announced as the Pulitzer Prize for non fiction.
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January 16, 2019Own it
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews