I've recently returned from a four month stay in Beijing, China. During an architectural trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, I took a moment to look at quilts collected by the owners of the Schoolhouse Restaurant.

I was told the quilts were made by minority groups, however, there were no labels indicating which ones had made them.

Above is a quilt that seemed to be made of different silks, with some patches heavily embroidered, while others had no embroidery at all.

Here are close-ups of the hand embroidery.  Many minority groups now use machine embroidery and sell attractive (if you like very vivid colors) gifts using traditional patterns.

CONGRATULATIONS VIVIKA

Our good friend and fellow sister, Vivika Hansen DeNegre is the new editor at Quilting Arts Magazine!!!!!!! To celebrate how proud we are of her, our group, Sisters In Cloth, made a prayer flag to the let the world know! Congratulations, Vivika. Please go to The Prayer Flag Project blog to see other views of this flag and to see other flags made by very talented artists with very important and poignant messages being heard throughout the world. PS-The Prayer Flag Project/blog was Vivika's idea!!