Chinese patchwork

Han Chinese children's baijiayi

Baijiayi (Chinese: 百家衣) or baijia pao (Chinese: 百家袍),[5] also known Hundred-Families robe,[6] or One hundred families robe,[5] or One hundred families clothing,[7] is a form of Chinese patchwork jacket, particular for male children.[8] The baijia yi is used as a protective talisman for a child.[8][9][5][6] It is a traditional Han Chinese custom.[8][5]

Baijia bei (lit. translated as "one hundred families quilt"), also known as the "100 Good Wishes Quilt" or "one hundred families bedcovers",[2][10] is a Northern Chinese patchwork tradition; it is customary to seek 100 people to donate a square piece of cloth in order to contribute to the quilt.[2] These pieces of donated fabric are then sewn into a quilt which embodies the good wishes, luck and energy of the quilt contributors.[2]

Although the Chinese word "bei" is translated as "quilt" in English, it does not conform to the Western definition of a quilt, i.e. a three-layers bed covering held together with quilting stitch.[2]

A jiasha used as a theatrical costume for a Buddhist priest; Silk brocade patchwork, 18th century.[11]

Jia sha (Chinese: 袈裟) is a form of patchwork robes worn by Chinese buddhist priests to demonstrate their commitments to asceticism.[2][12] It was made of fabric donated by patrons, often wealthy patrons, who give them silk fabrics out of charity and in order to collect spiritual merits.[12] The small pieces of fabric were sewn together before being decorated.[13] The jia sha was derived from the kasaya (i.e. Indian Buddhist robe).[12]

Shuitianyi is a form of women's patchwork garment which was popular in the Ming dynasty.[2] It was made of irregular fabrics sewn together.[2][14] This form of garment reflected the Ming dynasty's tendency towards fashion novelty.[2]

Yanchuan patchwork is a distinctive form of traditional Chinese patchwork which is performed by a great number of people in the Yanchuan region of northern Shaanxi province in China.[3] It uses combines the use of sewing and embroidery along with a variety of colours, textures and cloths of different shapes to create patterns.[3] It originated as a mean to extend the use of damaged clothing by sewing and mending it into traditional patterns while simultaneously increase its aesthetic value.[3]

The uses of Chinese patchwork are not limited to traditional clothing but have been widely used in modern society for curtains, children's shoes, caps, dudous, scarves, women's handbags, aprons, men's cigarette cases and wallets.[15]

One Hundred Good Wishes quilt (acronym: OHGWQ) is an early 21st century commemorative form of quilt which is made by American families to welcome a Chinese child adoptee.[2][12] This practice originated from a northern Chinese patchwork practice and spread quickly through the China adoption community through the use of the internet.[2] This form of hybrid quilting projects are also described as "baijia bei" (百家被) on OHGWQ websites.[12]

It may have been inspired by the baijia yi.[12] It is made of donated fabric from friends, family members, and internet acquaintances who may have themselves adopted Chinese children.[2] The quilt also contains both Chinese and American culture elements (i.e the use of quilt as a commemorative object in US and the protective aspect of Chinese patchwork) and represent a point of contact between these two cultures which are distinctive from each other.[2]

Many patterns exist, while the quilting block is one that is widely used. Other patterns include the Chinese coin, 100 good wishes and lattice.[4] Some may include squares, triangles, hexagons and diamonds.

Traditional culture and folk legends are often the themes for patchworks, such as the Qilin Bringing the Child, Door Gods, the Dragon King and the Kitchen God.[17]

Some Chinese patchwork are made of pieces of fabric which are adorned with embroideries; this marks a difference from the Korean patchwork which are usually made of pieces of unadorned fabric instead of embroidered fabrics.[18]