Dear beloved family and friends,

As you all know we are preparing to celebrate Aunt Sarah’s 80th birthday. Of course, we all want to get her a special gift, but she would prefer not to accumulate more ‘stuff’ for her apartment.

What we would like to do instead is make her a 100 good wishes quilt. The tradition of the 100 good wishes quilt dates back to ancient China where the tradition of Bai Jia Bei –100 family quilt – was to welcome a new baby to the family. Friends and family donated fabric scraps along with a wish of good fortune for the baby, the mother then made a quilt from the scraps … and many believed that the good wishes and love from all the families surrounded the child wrapped in that quilt.

We would like Aunt Sarah to feel that same love as she enjoys our quilt of good wishes and memories. If you would like to participate, here is what to send me:

• Two pieces of fabric, each at least 8”x 8” square – something that you particularly like or that reminds you of Aunt Sarah or that has a special meaning to you. Send a fabric that you like and that speaks to you! Note: 100% cotton fabric works best. And please, send more than one fabric and message if you feel so inspired – one for everyone in your family.
   
• A written message from you to Aunt Sarah on a separate sheet of paper or card. It can be a special memory, a favorite quote or lyric from a song, or original thoughts and blessings-the important thing is that it comes from you! I am also planning a scrapbook to keep the wishes in, so please include a small swatch of fabric with your wish so she can look at the book and see each square of the quilt that came with it.

We so appreciate your participation in this quilt project – it will certainly be a labor of love for me. Oh, and by the way, I am calling dibs on the ice cream cone fabric remembering Sunday night trips to the dairy bar.

(Signature)