In northern China there is a centuries old tradition of creating a "Bai-Jia-Bei" otherwise known as a "100 Good Wishes Quilt" to welcome and celebrate a new life into the family.
One hundred family and friends donate a piece of fabric along with a written wish for the baby-to-be. The wish can be anything: a quote, a poem, a saying, a verse or a simple wish from the heart.
This is just a sample of the 252 wishes and pieces of fabric I received for my 2 little ones.
A quilt for the child is made from the pieces of material and the wishes are placed in a scrapbook for the child to one day read. A small sample of the fabric is attached to the wish card so that the child can match the wish in her album with the square on her quilt.
This is Miss M's (a friend's daughter) 100 Good Wishes Quilt.
It is said that the luck, energy and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed to the quilt will surround the child when she is wrapped in it. The quilt is passed down from generation to generation. This tradition has been embraced by countless adoptive parents including myself and it is the entire reason that I became a quilter.
Whether adopted into their forever family or born into a family, I believe that a 100 Good Wishes Quilt is a wonderful gift for any child. A quilt representing all the people that wait with excited anticipation for their arrival is a precious gift.
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