2/17/07: I've started Emma's virtual quilt online. Click here to view it!

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100 Good Wishes Quilt

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite friends and family to contribute a patch of cloth with a wish for the baby. Part of the patch of cloth goes into the quilt for the baby, and the other part of the cloth goes into a scrapbook with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the blessings from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric.

This is what I need for you to send, if you would like to participate.

1. One square of fabric (100% cotton) 7” x 7” inches.
   
2. A square of the same fabric (around 1” x1”) which will be attached to your wish and put into Emma’s 100 Good Wishes scrapbook.
   
3. and a wish for baby!!! The wish is to be written or typed on a separate paper
   (about 4” x 6” card) to accompany the two squares of fabric.

There is no rush. I haven't even taken my quilting class yet, but I would like to start collecting the squares and wishes. Also, I'm not sure what size the squares in the quilt will end up being, so if you would like to plan something special for your square, please let me know and when the patten is decided, I can let you know what the final dimensions of each square will be.

Suggestions:

• Select a fabric that is meaningful to you or represents an aspect of your life.

• Ladybugs are a sign of good luck in the Chinese adoption community. It is said that if you see ladybugs that good things will happen soon! Emma's nursery is also decorated with ladybugs.

• 100% cotton quilting fabric is best, as it washes and wears well. The material is better quality if you hold it up to the light and you can't see through it. No flannels please.

• Each family member can contribute a square and a wish, if they would like to.

Your Wish for Emma:
Your wish can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. The wish might be a prayer, favorite poem, a heart felt random thought or a quote.

Please remember to sign your wish and include you town/city and state you live.

For Example:
Here are a couple of wishes and squares that I have received already.

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If you have any questions, please click here to send me an email.

The image below is probably the quilt pattern that I will make. It's a beginners type quilt, so hopefully Emma can have it before she graduates from college. You can click on the smaller image below to enlarge it.

I would like to thank you for your participation in advance. This will probably be a one-and-only quilt making project for me and I think it will be an amazing heirloom for Emma to have and she will one day be able to see how many people were waiting for her to come home.