How It Works: Memory Bears and Keepsakes from Your Clothes
What is a memory bear?
We all have them: special clothes saved that hold memories from when they were worn. Baby clothes, team jersey, concert t-shirt, wedding dress, even clothes from a lost loved one.
A memory bear is a keepsake made from these sentimental clothes, so you can save the memories, not the clothes.
Your clothes have memories. We help save them.
What sentimental clothes do you have saved away?
(Swipe the image to see how we can transform your clothes into an instant heirloom)
Two ways to bring your clothes to life
We now offer two simple paths to turn your clothes into a keepsake.
- Made For You: our professional team creates your keepsake in our studio
- Make Your Own: we ship our exclusive iron-on pattern so you can sew it yourself
We create your keepsake: How it works
Creating a keepsake with The Patchwork Bear is easy. Our caring, professional team guides your clothes through each step, so you can feel confident your memories are in the best hands.
Choose your keepsake
Choose a memory bear, quilt, pillow, or bag. Each is designed to highlight the details of your clothes & made in our professional sewing studio.
Send us your clothes
After you order, we’ll email shipping instructions & order form to include with your clothes. We’ll guide you on what works best.
We create your keepsake
Our talented makers turn your clothes into a one-of-a-kind keepsake, with attention to detail and respect for your memories.
Trusted since 2003 & one of Oprah's Favorite Things
We are the ORIGINAL Memory Bear company and one of Oprah's Favorite Things! Don't let just anyone cut up your irreplaceable clothes- we've been trusted to make thousands of memory bears and would love to make one for you.
From start to finish, we take pride in our work. It starts when your clothes arrive- each package is signed for and kept in a secure, indoor facility, safe from theft or bad weather.
We work in a professional sewing studio with a small, talented team of designers and sewers. We take the time with your clothes to create keepsakes that are as special as the people who wore them.
(Photo: Founder, Jennifer Cura at Oprah's Favorite Things Media Event)
Turn children's clothes into a memory bear you see every day
Your children's clothes hold memories from when they were little and they deserve better than a cardboard box or storage bin.
Remember every milestone - from the day you brought them home to their first steps; first day of school to graduation, and all the little memories in between. We'll take turn those clothes into a memory bear that holds all the memories of their childhood.
Remember loved ones gone, but not forgotten
We know it's hard to lose a loved one.
When you want a special way to remember her in their favorite dress, the t-shirt that was so him, or the uniform they proudly wore to work every day- turn their clothing into a Bereavement Bear.
With careful attention to detail and expert workmanship, you can trust your loved one's clothes with us here at The Patchwork Bear. We'll create a memory bear that captures their spirit and put them back in your arms.
Remember Your Big Day Forever
When the wedding day is over, don't store your wedding dress in a box never to be seen again.
Let us turn it into a Wedding Dress Memory Bear so you can enjoy memories of your special day every time you see it. We can also re-purpose it into a quilt, pillow, even a christening gown!
read our reviews
I absolutely love my bear. I sent in my late husband’s favorite shirt and was so happy how all the colors came together. Such a wonderful keepsake.
I can’t tell you how much I love my bear made of clothes from my son’s first years. These were some of my favorite onesies they both wore and I can tell it was made with extreme care and creativity. I teared up when I opened the box!! Thank you so much.
I received the memory bear and it was beyond anything I could have expected. Beautifully crafted handmade memory. It is also amazing that the request I wrote that they put the pocket square so I can place my loved ones memorial card was placed.
I received my bear and I was thrilled. The craftsmanship is excellent and it brought tears to my eyes. My husband will be gone two years September 13 so this came just in time I would recommend anybody who loves bears and good work to get one of these bears.
Beautiful display of my daughter's onesies and favorite toddler dresses and shirts. This is very special piece, which she and I will treasure.
The memory bear that Patchwork Bear put together for my granddaughter is absolutely adorable! I used tee shirts that belonged to my late husband, who would have loved his newest grandchild ❤️ Even though he never met her, she now has a part of him to cherish forever!
The bear came and it was just awesome. I love the way all these colors came together. The gift will be one my great nephew can treasure forever.
We ordered two Bitty Bunnies that incorporated two shirts each and they are absolutely wonderful. Incredibly well made and it's obvious that care was taken to "dress" the bunnies just right. Earlier this year my 92 year old mother-in-law passed unexpectedly. She had eleven grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren. The youngest great was three months old when she passed and her 21st great grandchild was born a week after she passed. Both girls carry part of their great grandma's name in their names. Although neither will remember her, we wanted them to have a special keepsake from a woman who would have adored them. We chose Bitty Bunnies because the girls are still small and they are the perfect size for chubby little hands to hold onto. We absolutely love the bunnies and are so grateful to have something that carries wonderful memories of a special woman.
Such a wonderful way to preserve our toddlers’ first pjs, dresses and onesies (and memories)! We were thrilled with the thoughtfulness and care that was put into the design, and my husband even teared up a little. So glad we had enough material to make the mini bears as well, so my husband and I will have keepsakes along with the kids!
I absolutely love these beautifully crafted, high quality bears. I am planning to gift these to my family as loving reminders of my Dad. The talented team members at Patchwork Bear are truly angels that bring joy to so many.
Thank You So Very Much ❤️
I JUST finished my little bear! He makes me smile. I have sewn and I quilt, but have never before made a bear!
I was SO glad that I opted for purchasing the video, too. It helped so much. I would watch each step, which was very well done, BTW, and then do just that step and then go on to the next.
The iron on pattern was so clear, and well-marked. I loved that each part joined the matching number, and in order of stitching.
VERY well done, all of it! The iron on pattern made working through the steps so much better than just a pattern I would have to cut out without the pattern ironed on. Just made it so straightforward.
I used some favorite, non-directional fabric for this. I was mindful of fabric placement on the pieces so all of the little birds on the fabric showed nicely.
The steps were short and easy and made sense. Thank you for this darling pattern! (I did use some safety eyes that I already had.)
Kim Banta
[****]
www.AQuirkyCreative.com
I lost my mother near Mother’s Day
I cleaned out her closet and used her clothes. What an excellent gift to remember your loved one forever. I especially love the poem in the heart!
Hugs are a gift. Thank you for making adorable huggable bears for my family members and myself ❤️
We LOVE our 3 Memory Bears! They came out perfect and will be a lasting memory of our loved one. Thank you for the absolutely great work!!
I really enjoyed making a bear using clothes I embroidered for my daughter when she was a baby/toddler. The instructions and process were mostly easy to follow. I am by no means a sewing machine expert, but the iron-on pattern & numbering system made it relatively easy to assemble with the novice sewing skills I have. I had some trouble with the ears and arms — nothing that was irreversible (or able to be covered up!) I added buttons for the eyes instead of using embroidery thread. Highly recommend for anyone looking to create a keepsake!
These bears are a precious memory for my Mom and I, made from my Dad’s favorite shirts. Thank you for the seamless order process, and taking such good care of our irreplaceable shirts. I highly recommend the Patchwork Bear.
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