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 can go into a creative memory notebook with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.
Some of the people in our DTC group are doing a 100 good wishes quilt so we thought this is something that our friends and family would like to contribute to. It is a tradition to greet the new baby with a 100 Good Wishes Quilt. Although this is a Chinese tradition, it is a great tradition for any child to be welcomed this way. What a treat to read the good wishes when the child is older to know how much she was wanted!
** I found this description on a quilting website and the English teacher in Jen made me cite my source so this is not my original writing
Note From Jen:
I finished Grace’s 100 Good Wishes Quilt. I didn’t have exactly 100 wishes but I did incorporate 90 quilt squares. The making of the quilt was definitely hard work since I am such a novice. Quilt making is all about math and that’s not my strongest area so I had to fudge it a bit! However, I am glad that I was able to do this all on my own for Gracie. The quilt is far from perfect—there are lots of mistakes and uneven edges. Yet, I see every imperfection as not just a mistake but proof of perseverance when the going gets tough. The quilt may have flaws but it’s made with love and it will keep her warm in her forever family.
Thank you to all who contributed squares for Grace's quilt. I appreciate it and look forward to the day that I can sit down with Grace and show her her Book of Wishes and who gave her every square.
