Okay so I just found out about these quilts, but I think we can still accomplish this task! I know there are 100 people who are already loving Ellie and praying for her. This project will be a symbol of that love.
The tradition
To welcome and celebrate a new life, it is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei: a 100 Good-Wishes Quilt. The custom is to invite family and friends to contribute a square of fabric and a wish for the baby. Most of the square is sewn into the quilt, while a smaller piece goes 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 square of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.
We want you, our family and friends, to be a part of this tradition with us. Please contribute to the Bai Jia Bei for our little girl.
What to send
(1) One 7″x7″ square (or larger) of washable 100% cotton fabric that could work for a little girl. It can be new or “used and meaningful” fabric. Please pre-wash the fabric to prevent any shrinking when it becomes part of theBai Jia Bei.
(2) A 5″x7″ card (or smaller) with a wish dedicated to our child. Please include a scrap of your fabric glued to the card. Your wish can be simple or elaborate, handwritten or typed. It can be something original you wrote, or a favorite poem, lyric, or quote that has special meaning to you. Please remember to sign your wish and include your city and state. Your wish-card can be elegantly simple or colorfully decorated with stickers and photographs… or whatever else that tickles your fancy. Anything goes.
Please note that the finished size of the squares in the quilt will be 5″x5″, so if you are adding anything to your square, please keep that in mind.
Where to send the items
You can send the quilt square and your wish to:
The Tracys
(Please contact us for address at JTracy1070@sbcglobal.net. We will be happy to send it to you.)You can send one wish for your entire family, or several personalized wishes and fabric squares from individual family members.
