100 Wishes Quilt

We got this idea from another family adopting from China. She had told us about this tradition that started in China. 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.

We started this quilt right after we put in our application to China. When we started to tell our family and friends we gave them a copy of the 100 wishes quilt. We have received some really creative thing from people and love making the scrap book. I actually look forward to getting the mail everyday hoping for a new peice of fabric. One of my cousin is friends with a lady from China and she wrote her wishes in Chinese that was really great.

If you would like to contribute here is what you do.

If you would like to contribute here's what we would like for you to do:
1. Choose any 100% cotton fabric that you like. We hope that you will be able to find a piece of fabric in your craft supplies, old decorating projects or among old clothes that you no longer wear.

Some ideas for selecting the fabric square include selecting a fabric that is meaningful to you or is a pattern or design that you think is pretty. 100% cotton fabric is best because it will hold up longer and wear better. Try to avoid fabric that stretches such as t-shirt cotton or jersey because it is very difficult to work with.
2. Cut one 8 x 8 inch square from the fabric. Cut a second 2 x 2 inch square from the fabric.
3. Print or hand-write a good wish note on a sturdy type of paper such as an index card or cardstock. Remember to include your name!
Ideas for good wishes notes include anything that you would wish for a newborn child including good health, happiness, compassion, patience, or a sense of humor. It could contain your favorite scripture, poetry, the lyrics of a favorite song or just your own words. It could be serious or light-hearted, so long as it contains your heartfelt good wishes for our daughter.
We have not decided on a name yet so if you would like to address her as Our Special Blessing.
4. Assemble all three items above and mail to us at the following address:
Danielle and Ryan
1181 Bristol Pike
Bensalem PA 19020