A piece of history from the Underground Railroad has come to life for members of the Sew Fun 4-H Club in Lapeer County. The group recently created a set of quilt blocks displaying the “quilt code” that reportedly helped guide escaping slaves north to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Club volunteer leader Claudia Leininger became interested in using the quilt code as a project for the club after seeing a presentation on it by Sandra Springer, former 4-H Youth agent and current MSU West regional representative in Grand Rapids. Springer said that interest in the Underground Railroad quilt code increased after the publication in 1999 of a book called Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad, by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard.

In the book, the late Ozella McDaniel Williams of Charleston, South Carolina, explained how quilts with patterns such as the monkey wrench, wagon wheel, log cabin and shoofly became part of a code telling slaves when and where to flee.

Leininger decided that this quilt project would be a way to use history to increase the girls’ knowledge of other cultures. So she and coleader Betty Card worked with them to select quilt block patterns used in the code.

The girls researched information about how each pattern was used, learned how to sew it, and shared their new knowledge and skills at a spring achievement program in their county. Women from the Crazy Quilters Club encouraged the girls in their project by sewing the more difficult blocks.

During their spring achievement presentation, Springer told the story of the quilt code and introduced each girl, who shared information gleaned from her research with the enthralled audience. At the conclusion of the program, the blocks were presented to Springer in appreciation for her research into the quilt code.

Members of Sew Fun who presented were Rebecca, 12; Mallory, 10; Miranda, 12; Cassie, 11; Lacy, 9; Katy, 13; and Betty, 12.

Leininger said that the girls not only learned about the Underground Railroad Quilt Code but also how to make public presentations. She plans to continue working on this project as the girls present to other groups.