4/15/08 100 Wishes Quilt

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China (where Ling is from) to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite friends and family to contribute a piece of fabric with a wish for the baby. Some of the fabric goes into the quilt for the baby, and a small piece can go into a memory book 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. I plan on gathering the pieces now and making it with Ling in a few years. If you want to see a beautifully done, completed 100 Wishes Quilt, Go to Baby Grace King. It's lovely.