What I've Learned from Making Hundreds of Memory Bears

Back in late 2015, I sat in front of a pile of tiny baby grows, overwhelmed by memories. My eldest child’s first birthday was approaching, and I couldn’t bring myself to part with the clothes he’d worn during those precious early days. Every outfit told a story. Every stain, every stretched out sleeve held something sacred. I didn’t want to hide them away in a box. I wanted to create something with them — something lasting. And truthfully? I didn’t trust anyone else to do it justice.

So I took a leap.

I found a sewing pattern online — nothing fancy, just a simple design for a bear — and stitched together my very first memory bear. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But it was mine, and it was bursting with memories. That bear became the beginning of something I never could have predicted.

From Accidental Business to Award-Winning Studio

What started as a personal project quickly turned into an unexpected business. I shared a quick photo of that first bear on social media, and before I knew it, I was making them for friends, then friends of friends, and eventually for complete strangers who trusted me with their most cherished clothing.

At the time, I had a newborn in one arm, a toddler at my feet, and a husband deployed overseas. Memory bears became more than just a creative outlet — they were my anchor. Something that was just for me. A quiet corner of joy amidst the chaos.

Years later, I found myself fully booked, award-winning, and known for my memory bears. I remember the first time someone stopped me in the middle of Tesco and asked, “Are you the bear lady?” I laughed, nodded, and replied, “I suppose I am!” It still makes me smile when I think about it. What had started as a way to preserve my own child’s memories had grown into something far bigger than I ever imagined. And yet, a little voice inside kept asking…
“What if you designed your own memory bear pattern?”

Why Quality Matters (More Than You Think)

I’ve been sewing for as long as I can remember. And if there’s one thing I learned early on, it’s this: quality matters. Especially when you’re handling something as irreplaceable as a loved one’s clothing.

It’s not just about sewing skills — although those help — it’s about using the right materials and never cutting corners. These aren’t toys. They’re heirlooms. They hold grief and joy in equal measure. You simply can’t afford to use the cheapest interfacing or stuffing. When someone trusts you with a tiny sleepsuit or a late grandfather’s jacket, there’s only one standard: your absolute best.

I’ve repaired enough poorly made bears to know the difference. And I’ve learned to stand firm when people question pricing. Because no, it’s not just a bear. It’s hours of craftsmanship, years of experience, and most importantly — it’s memory made tangible.

More Than a Bear: The Stories That Stay With Me

Creating memory bears has connected me with hundreds of people and their stories. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, and I’ve carried their memories with me.

I’ve opened parcels filled with baby clothes identical to ones my own children wore, flooding me with memories of sleepless nights and gummy smiles. I’ve found shopping lists in jacket pockets, smudged and worn, as if their owners had just stepped out. I’ve had the scent of a stranger’s home transport me back to my own grandparents’ living room.

One customer, on receiving her bear, told me she didn’t care what my name was — she’d call me Jesus if she had to — because I’d given her back a piece of her dad.

That kind of impact never gets old.

The Bulldog Years and NICU Memories

At one point, I made hundreds of bulldog bears from US Marine Corps uniforms — some from those who never made it home. I’ve honoured countless parents and grandparents, and smiled at baby clothes carefully labelled: “Worn on his first trip to the beach” or “This was one of her NICU outfits.”

Every single item came with a story. And every single bear became more than just fabric and stuffing. It became comfort. A way to hold onto something you’re not ready to let go of — or to celebrate a moment you never want to forget.

From Maker to Mentor

Eventually, that inner nudge turned into action. I designed my own memory bear pattern, then shared it with the world. It was terrifying… but also thrilling.

Now, I don’t just make bears — I teach others to make them too. Seeing the bears others create from my memory bear sewing patterns brings me a whole new kind of joy. I’ve gone from stitching alone at my kitchen table to helping people around the world learn how to sew their own keepsakes — for themselves, for their loved ones, or even to start their own businesses.

The ripple effect of creativity and care is something I’m incredibly proud of.

If You’re Thinking About Making a Memory Bear…

Here’s what I want you to know:

• Practice. Your first bear probably won’t be perfect — mine wasn’t — but every one gets better.

• Invest in good materials. You can’t rush this, and you shouldn’t skimp on quality.

• Take your time. These items hold real emotions, real people, real memories. They deserve your best.

• Charge your worth. If you’re making bears for others, price your work with pride. Would you want the cheapest option if it were your loved one’s clothes? Exactly.

• Never forget what an honour it is. These bears might seem like small things, but they bring big comfort.

A Full Circle of Joy

I’m proudest of two things: the joy I brought through the hundreds of memory bears I made with my own hands, and the joy I now help others create — both for the maker and the recipient.

I know how deeply these bears matter. I also know how life-changing it can be to take something you love and build a business with it. I started mine with someone else’s pattern, and it changed my life. If my memory bear sewing patterns can do that for someone else — help them support their family, build confidence, or simply bring joy to others — then I’ve done my job.

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Ready to start your own journey?

Explore my digital memory bear sewing patterns and make your own memory bear kits — perfect for beginners and experienced sewers alike.

Or join one of my online workshops, where I’ll guide you through the process of creating your own heirloom, step-by-step.

Let’s keep the memories alive — one stitch at a time.