Underground Railroad Block 15

Underground Railroad Block 15

North Star

The North Star Quilt is the tenth quilt in the secret code passed through the Williams family history.  The North Star was the guiding light leading slaves to Canada and freedom.  The Big Dipper always points to the North Star, which is in the handle of the Little Dipper.

The North Star was also important to navigation, especially to boat owners who took the slaves from Cleveland or Detroit to Canada.

Perhaps no song is more connected to the Underground Railroad than "Follow the Drinking Gourd" , secret music they sung behind closed doors.

Foller the drinkin' gou'd,

Foller the drinkin' gou'd;

"Foller the drinkin' gou'd."

Foller the Risen Lawd,

Foller the Risen Lawd;

The bes' thing the Wise Man say,

"Foller the Risen Lawd."

When the sun come back,

When the firs' quail call,

Then the time is come,

Foller the drinkin' gou'd.

Foller the drinkin' gou'd,

Foller the drinkin' gou'd;

For the ole man say,

Foller the drinkin' gou'd."

North Star

The block in the book.

This is my block.

You will need 4 fabrics.

The first fabric is the outer background fabric. Cut (1) 7 1/2" square and (4) 3 1/2" squares.

The second fabric is the inner background fabric. Cut (1) 4 1/2" square and (4) 2" squares.

Third fabric is the outer star. Cut (1) 9" square.

And the fourth fabric is the inner star.  Cut (1) 6" square and (1) 3 1/2" square.

Now, to make the 4 flying geese for outer star. Using the 9" square and the 7 1/2" square, place with right sides together center the 7 1/2" squar on the 9" square. As shown above. Draw a diagonal line from point to point and then sew 1/4" seam on either side of the diagonal line.

Then cut on the drawn line.

Press seam toward larger section.

Not that you don't match up seam.

With right sides together put to 2 squares together, not matching up the seams.

Draw a diagonal line as above the stitch 1/2" on either side of line. Cut on the line. And press seams.

Before pressing seam fold triangle in half and take a snip in seam. As shown above. This will help in pressing. Repeat this step with the other half.

Now you are ready to trim.  Trim 1/4" past point of flying geese. ( I like to do a scant bigger then 1/4", I find your stitching lines at the point come out a little nicer.

Then flip flying geese over and trim to 3 1/2".

Now trim sides of geese. Trim smaller side right at point.

Then flip to trim other side at the point.  Piece should measure 3 1/2" X 6 1/2".  Now do the other 3 the same way.

Now, you are ready to do the smaller flying geese in the smaller star. Take the 6" and the 

3 1/2" squares. And you are going to make the smaller ones as you made the larger ones.

I have given you the pictures for each step.

Remember to lay squares on top of each other, not matching the seams.

Now for trimming your geese.  Cut a scant larger than a 1/4" from the point of the geese.

Flip piece over and trim to 2".

Now trim at the sie point of the short side.

Then flip over geese and trim at other point.  Geese should measure 2" X 3 1/2".

Your ready to lay out your pieces.  Sew smaller star together then to larger star.  Press seams.

This is your North Star Block.

Enjoy.

V