One of the most popular quilt blocks in the quilting kingdom was named after James K. Polk’s run for President. The enigmatic “54/40 or Fight” block is a constant puzzle for quilters. No one seems to know what the name stands for, and is referred to as “44/50”, “14/40 and Flight” and other such misnomers.
Just to set the record straight for my students, I did an info search on the web to find the ever-elusive explanation.
As campaign platforms go, Polk’s was rather ambitious and could have produced dire consequences for the United States, as he basically threatened war with Canada.
The 1844 Democratic presidential candidate James K. Polk ran on a platform of taking control over the entire Oregon Territory and used the famous campaign slogan, “Fifty-four Forty or Fight!” (after the line of latitude serving as the northern boundary of Oregon at 54
Sorry, I don’t know what a URL is.
Anyway, I wanted to know if you have a patterm for the Relief Society Quilt. I’d love to make one like it. I saw it at the show at the church yesterday and fell in love with it. Even took a photo. (I’m Sunny, Brookvale Ward, Fremont, CA, and met you yesterday in person. I feel so Privileged). It was a great show. I’m looking forward to April 2005. Maybe I can enter a quilt or two of my own.
Sincerely,
Sunny