Certainly not my first quilt, but perhaps the signature quilt for my phase of Wild Goose Quilting quilts, I designed this Wild Goose Chase quilt in an attempt to brighten the day for my Mechanical Engineer friend, Joseph. Suffering depression and a victim of abuse throughout his life, then 46 years old, this quilt, designed with ruby-colored sashing for future richness and sunshine gold borders for good luck, utilizes a total of 46 different fabrics - one for each year of his struggles.
Machine pieced and freehand machine-stipple quilted, then presented to Joseph one dark and dreary Wenatchee winter afternoon.
Stories in quilt history of the Wild Goose pattern, also known as Flying Geese, Flying Goose or Geese in Flight, tell of this particular quilt being used as a sign or signal to escaping slaves during the days of the Underground Railroad. Legend says the quilt provided direction to slaves on the run indicating which route to follow to reach freedom. Most slaves escaped once the weather became warm in the spring. Along the way, flocks of geese flying overhead during their spring migration north could be used as a guide to find water, food and places to rest. It is said that the Wild Goose Quilt would be hung, in plain view, on clothes lines or over a fence by sympathetic supporters of the Underground Railroad with the geese block points pointing in the direction of the safest route for travel to freedom. Other quilts were used along the way to mark their path as well - the North Star, the Monkey Wrench, the Sailboat and more - all said to have a special meaning to the slaves to help guide them during their escape to freedom.
Hopefully, Joe is comforted in some small way and his days brighted along his journey to freedom.
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