How it works

Some clothes hold far more than memories. They remind us of someone we love, a familiar hug, or those little moments we wish we could hold onto forever. Whether you’re remembering someone dearly missed or preserving your little one’s treasured outfits, I understand how much those clothes mean to you. Sending them away can feel difficult, and I’ll treat them with the care and respect they deserve while creating something you can keep close.

1. Choose your keepsake and treasured clothing

I offer a wide range of beautiful handmade keepsakes, from my most popular regular jointed memory bear to other keepsake animals, cushions and blankets. Choose something that feels right for you, then gather the clothing you’d like me to work with.

Each listing gives you the details for your chosen keepsake, including the price, finished size and how many items of clothing I recommend sending.

Most clothing is suitable. I line the clothing used in my keepsakes with 100% cotton interfacing to give it extra support and structure and help your finished keepsake hold its shape over time. Very thick clothing can be more difficult to work with, so please contact me before booking if you’re unsure. I don’t work with real animal fur or leather.

If there’s a special pocket, motif, name or other detail you’d love me to preserve, please let me know. I’ll always do my best to include the details that matter most to you.

2. Book your keepsake

For current bookings, memory bears, keepsake animals, cushions, blankets, stockings and sacks usually take around 6–8 weeks from booking before posting or collection. Please check your chosen listing and the announcement bar for current timing, and contact me first if you need your keepsake for a particular date.

Choose your keepsake and any optional personalisation. Where a deposit option is available, a £25 deposit per keepsake secures a place in my sewing diary. The remaining balance and postage are payable before posting or collection.

You can book up to 12 months ahead, subject to availability. This can help you plan for birthdays and anniversaries, May or June school-leavers keepsakes, or October or November Christmas sewing slots. Please tell me your preferred sewing month and year, plus the date you need your finished keepsake. I’ll confirm availability, your sewing schedule and when to send your clothing. Future-date bookings follow the agreed schedule rather than the usual 6–8 weeks from booking.

If you’re hoping to receive your keepsake sooner, I also offer an Express Turnaround option at an additional cost to the keepsake price. Please read the Express Turnaround listing for the full details and contact me to confirm availability before ordering.

You’ll receive an automatic order confirmation email after placing your order. I’ll then personally email you within around 48 hours to thank you, confirm where your order is booked into my sewing diary and explain how to send your clothing. We can also discuss any special details or requests.

Please check your junk or spam folder too, as my email can sometimes find its way there.

3. Send your clothes to me

Please follow the clothing-sending schedule confirmed in my email, especially if you’ve booked a future sewing slot. Send your clothing clean and completely dry. Please pop a note inside your parcel with your full name and order reference number, including the #, so I can safely match your clothing to your booking.

Please use a strong, securely sealed plastic mailing bag or a sturdy box. Avoid wrapping your parcel in brown paper, as it can tear or come loose during its journey. I recommend tracked postage and keeping your proof of posting.

I understand these clothes may be irreplaceable. Every item is handled with the utmost care and respect while it is with me. Once your clothing arrives, I’ll email or message you to let you know it has reached me safely.

If you’re local, clothing drop-off can be arranged with me in advance.

4. Made with love

Your clothing will be labelled and kept safe while it waits for its turn in my sewing diary. Before I start, I’ll email or message you again. This is your final opportunity to discuss any changes or additions to your order.

Each keepsake is lovingly handmade by me in my home sewing room in Middlesbrough. I carefully work with your treasured clothing, preserving meaningful details wherever possible and putting care into every part of the making.

Please allow up to two weeks for completion from your agreed sewing start date. Larger orders, such as several bears or a blanket, may need a little longer, and I’ll discuss this with you. This making time is separate from the wait for your booked sewing slot and any delivery time.

5. Yours to treasure

When your keepsake is ready, I’ll get in touch to arrange its journey home to you, by post or local collection. Any outstanding balance needs to be paid before dispatch or collection.

Any leftover clothing and fabric remnants will be returned to you with your finished keepsake.

Clothing drop-off and finished keepsake collection are by appointment only. Please arrange a time with me before travelling. I don’t offer appointments on Sundays, as this is my family day.

My hope is that your finished keepsake brings comfort, a smile, or a little feeling of closeness whenever you hold it. Something made from clothes you treasure, to keep the memories they hold close.