Directions for 100 Blessings Quilt

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 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the family and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.
Here Is What We Would Like For You To Do - 1) Choose any 100% cotton fabric that you like. It just needs to have a design and color that you like. 2)We ask that the fabric is pre-washed (to prevent shrinkage). 3) Cut one 8" x 8” square from the fabric. 4) On an acid free piece of paper (so it will last a long time), attach a small piece of the fabric on the note (so she will know what piece of fabric goes to each blessing) and include your blessing (can be your own, a favorite scripture, or quote) and your name and address. The fabric will be used to make a quilt, and the notes will be placed in a a special book.
Ideas For Selecting Quilt Squares - Select a fabric that is meaningful to you. 100% cotton fabric is best, as it washes and wears better. If there are several members in your family, please feel free to send more than one blessing and piece of fabric. In China, these quilts were originally made from the garments of family and friends surrounding the child with luck and good wishes.

Please email me at alishaharter@gmail.com and I will give you our mailing address.

Thank you for helping us welcome Genei into our family. I know her quilt will be a cherished treasure.

Todd, Alisha, and the boys

Sunday, December 23, 2007

#72


6/10/07
From Doris Chasteen in Grand Prairie, TX
You Are Loved
I know sometimes you doubt it,
And you don't hear it often enough,
But know this one thing
as you walk this earth:
You are loved.
In your finest hours
and weakest moments
You are loved.
Covered in dirt or fresh from your bath,
Respected, rejected, defamed or acclaimed,
You are loved.
You may wear that love proudly
as a red flower,
Or keep it silent as cat whiskers,
But , one thing you may never do
with that love, is doubt it.
This is your guarantee
And your obligation
Because as surely as you live,
You are loved.
Judith Bond, 1988
Thank you so much for this amazing poem and fabric. I am so humbled by the love and care wrapped up in this wish.

#71

2/22/07
From The Hansen Family in Olathe, Kansas

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Thank you for the beautiful butterfly fabric and verse. I am truly appreciative of having our daughter covered with the word of the Lord.

#70

2/22/07
From The Hansen Family in Olathe, Kansas
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be see or even heard, but must be felt within the heart." -Helen Keller
Thank you for the pretty squish. I love the pink hearts and your quote is so creative.

#69


3/06/07
From The George Family in Golden, MS

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart." -Helen Keller

Thank you for the lovely wish, I know it will be a beautiful part of Genei's quilt.

Monday, February 19, 2007

#68


02/15/07
From The Brady Family in Nebraska

"Thirty spokes converge on a single hub, but it is within the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the cart lies. Clay is molded to make a pot, but it is within the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the pot lies. Cut out doors and windows to make a room, but it is in the spaces where there is nothing that the usefulness of the room lies. Therefore, benefit may be derived from something, but it is in nothing that we find usefulness. -Lao Tzu

Our wish for you is to understand the usefulness of nothing. To see the value in the empty spaces.


Thank you for this creative and unique wish!

#67


From The Norgalis Family in New Jersey

"A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a small mark."
Chinese Proverb


Thank you for leaving your mark!

#66


From The Shrader Family in Florida

"...Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen."
-Hebrew 11:1

I wish you always: Happiness to fill your heart, Wisdom to fill your mind, And confidence in Faith to fill your spirit. May you live your life being your true authentic self.


How fun! It makes me wish I was in Florida with Kelly instead of in Indiana under a foot if snow. Thank you for the bright light you brought into our day!