- - - what we do - - -
Save your memories with a keepsake made from your clothes
When you want to keep the memories but cut down on the clutter, we turn your clothes into a memory bear, quilt or other keepsake that beautifully saves all your life's most meaningful moments.
what is a clothing keepsake?
The shirt that makes you smile...
Clothes, like photos, songs and even smells- hold memories from the times when we wore them: baby's coming home outfit, college t-shirts, team jerseys, grandma's favorite robe, even wedding dresses. We all have these tucked away in bins and boxes, but wouldn't it be better if you could see and feel those memories every day?
Instant heirlooms, expertly handcrafted
We save your memories and give your clothes new life by turning them into memory bears, quilts, pillows and more. These instant heirlooms preserve the memories of you and your loved ones.
Easier than organizing your clothes
We make the process simple: just place your order online, we send shipping instructions, then send us your clothes. We'll take all the unique qualities of your clothes and transform them into a memory bear or other keepsake you will love. Your clothes: recycled, remade, remembered.
- - - our promise - - -
Your clothing & memories handle with love & care
We know it's hard to part with irreplaceable clothes and the memories they hold and we don't take that responsibility lightly.That's why we go above and beyond to ensure the safety of your clothes from start to finish. We know each keepsake is as unique as the person whose clothes we are making them from and give it the love and care it deserves.
trusted + experienced
Since 2005, we've been trusted to turn clothes into keepsakes from baby clothes to wedding dresses, we have years of experience working with all kinds of clothes and everyone from carpool moms to celebrities like Jennifer Garner, Chad Lowe, Nicole Kidman and were named one of Oprah's Favorite Things. If Oprah trusts us, you can too!
safe & secure
All your packages are received in a safe, secure, indoor location and signed for upon delivery. Why? Because we all know packages can arrive at any time of day, and we can't be at the studio all the time. This way, they are never left outdoors subject to theft or bad weather. Peace of mind for us and you too.
professional
We make your keepsakes in a professional sewing studio that's smoke-free, clean, bright and located in beautiful downtown Princeton, New Jersey. If you're in the area, we'd love to see you! Schedule an appointment to drop off your clothes or just say hi and see our inspired workspace.
love + care
We're a small, happy team that works together to understand the story behind your clothing, your special requests and how we'll honor your memories with every step of the design and creation of your keepsake.
- - - our customers - - -
Something tangible and beautiful that we can hold in our time of great grief...
"I can’t tell you how wonderful and what a comfort it is to have something of my dads be turned into something tangible and beautiful that we can hold in our time of great grief. The love and care that went into making these is evident and I am so grateful that we were able to have these made. Thank you to Jen and her team for putting these together." - Jeannie R.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- - - our story - - -
meet the maker
The Patchwork Bear was founded by Jennifer Cura who combined her skill as an architect with her love of design and sewing to create a line of handmade keepsakes that are as cherished and personal as those who own them.
What started as a hobby in Jen's basement has grown to a full sewing studio in Princeton, NJ. Together with a small, talented & thoughtful team, they offer a service that helps save memories, remember loved ones and give new life to favorite clothes.
"Each and every order is unique and special in it's own way, and we love getting to know you through the clothes you send us. The most rewarding part for me is seeing how our designs touch your life by bringing back happy memories.."
- Jennifer Cura, founder of The Patchwork Bear
sustainability
We're a small, woman-owned business and each keepsake is handmade with love. When you buy from us, you're supporting a dream and small businesses. We make every effort to source our materials locally and purchase with like-minded ethically conscious companies.
sustainability
We're proud to be registered as a New Jersey Sustainable Business. Sustainability & sentimentality is at the heart of what we do. Upcycling clothes helps keeps some of the 21 billions pounds of textile waste out of landfills annuallly.
It's a small part, but as Van Gogh said, " Great things are not doone by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."