Shoo-Fly is a hand sewn quilt that honors the quiet power of utility and memory found in traditional quiltmaking reflecting patience and care - a slow and deliberate process that resists speed and efficiency. Hand stitching leaves a visible record of time, breath, and touch. The subtle variations in stitch length and tension affirm the presence of the maker and reinforce the quilt’s humanity. This labor-intensive method connects the work to generations of women and community makers who quilted without machines, often under conditions where time, resources, and recognition were limited.
Composed of repurposed fabrics, the front reveals a rhythmic conversation of color, pattern, and worn cloth, each block carrying traces of previous lives, efficient to piece, adaptable to scraps, and well suited to the realities of domestic labor. The Shoo-Fly pattern—historically linked to protection and movement—anchors the work with the quiet intelligence of everyday making. The back of the quilt is intentionally understated, finished in a single, earthy brown cloth. This solid surface offers visual rest and physical comfort, serving as a counterbalance to the complexity of the front. (This quilt is not for sale). Approx 60” x 62”
Wallhanging - Shoo-Fly
The meaning of “Shoo-Fly” as an Underground Railroad quilt code comes from oral tradition and is widely discussed but historically unproven. Scholars agree it should be understood as folklore and cultural memory, not documented fact. That said, oral tradition itself is culturally significant, especially in African American history, where knowledge was often passed verbally due to enforced illiteracy and danger.
As a quilt-code symbol, Shoo-Fly is understood to mean movement, vigilance, and refusal to settle in unsafe spaces. Whether literal or symbolic, the meaning endures as a powerful metaphor for survival, resistance, and the ongoing journey toward freedom. This quilt was purposefully photographed hanging over a front porch railing as was done to signal and display messages “Hidden In Plain Sight” (Jacqueline Tobin / Dr. Raymond Dobard)
