Quilt squares around the world

The quilt squares have left the building. Hurrah!

It's a tradition for parents who are waiting to adopt from China to make a quilt in advance of their child's arrival. The quilt is called a 100 Good Wishes quilt because the fabric which will make up the quilt is given by 100 friends and family members, each offering a square of fabric and a good wish for the child. Collecting 100 squares isn't necessarily an easy thing to do, so it's common for members of online adoption communities to set up "quilt swap" lists.

And that is precisely what I've just done, except I may be the world's slowest preparer of quilt squares! I have sewn for years, but had no first-hand experience of quilting. Measuring the squares according to each participant's specs, cutting the fabric, assembling the good wish cards and preparing the envelopes for mailing was a little more time-consuming than I'd anticipated. I am looking forward to learning how to put all the lovely squares together into a decorative quilt, once I've decided on a style. I'm told this is a highly effective way to pass time during the wait.

For today, it's a relief knowing the squares are finally on their way to adoptive parents around the world, from the Netherlands to Canada.