100 Wish Quilt

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you are aware. Terry and I began the process some time ago to adopt a baby from China. I recently ran across the tradition of the "Bai Jia Bei" or "100 Good Wishes Quilt". To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in some parts of Northern China to make a Bai Jia Bei. When a baby was born, family and friends would donate to the child's mother fabric scraps from old clothing with a wish for the baby. She would make a quilt for the child from the scraps. It is said that the luck, energy, and good wishes from all of the families and friends who contributed the fabric surrounds the child when she is wrapped in the quilt. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

There are so many good reasons to make this quilt for our little one, tradition being one of them. We are hoping to find many ways to keep our child connected to the Chinese culture. Another great reason is that our child will someday be able to see how much he or she was wanted and thought about even before coming into our family. We hope this quilt will remain part of our family for decades to come.

I am hoping you will be able to participate in our goal to make a Bai Jei Bei. If possible, please send us a piece of fabric at least 7"x7" also cut a scrap piece of the same material and on a separate piece of paper add your good wish with your name on it and the scrap piece of material. We are asking the scrap to match the square so that we all will be able to match the swatch to the square and read the wish from this person. Most quilts are made with 1--% cotton fabrics, so please make sure you the 100% cotton- we want to use every square. I am hoping you will be able to find a piece of fabric in your craft supplies, old decorating projects, or among old clothes or material that may be meaningful to you. If possible, please wash and iron the fabric before cutting it to be sure the size is true. If you are not sure what print to buy, don't worry. We know this quilt will be unique in that the color scheme will vary, and the prints will vary. When choosing a print look for something that you like or that reminds you of your family, our family, or a childhood memory. Be as creative as you'd like.

**Tip- if you have no idea how to work with fabric, ask for assistance at a fabric store and show them this letter. They will probably cut it for you. Include your good wish note and attach the scrap piece of fabric.

Collecting 100 squares may be a challenge. If there are several members in your family, please feel free to send more than one square. It would be so special to include good wishes from all members of your family!! Don't forget to add your good wishes for each square. Or you could choose a special quote. Some good wish examples (silly is okay):

May you have an abundance of hugs and kisses.
May you pass your driver's test on the first try.
May your daddy always watch out after you.

The good wishes will be incorporated either into the quilt or into a special Bai Jia Bei scrapbook. I will happily share pictures of the squares on this blog. Please feel free to add wishes for her as she grows older too.

Please take a few minutes from your busy schedules to help us create this very special keepsake for our daughter. This quilt will be something we will treasure and she will too. Please email me at kilgore@aspb.org if you have any questions.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and your wishes for our little one. As of now, it doesn't look like we will be traveling before this winter to meet our baby. Hopefully things in China will start speeding up again. The loving thoughts and good wishes from family and friends are powerful tools that will support us in the coming year. Thank you for your good wishes.

Here is a link to some 100 Good Wish Quilt http://www.originalquilts.com/100_good_wishes_quilts.htm#Why%20are%20Ladybugs%20significant

Love,
Terry and Amy