You Ordered a Memory Bear—Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide

Ordering a memory bear can feel a little different from ordering something else online.

After all, you're not simply choosing a product and waiting for a package to arrive.

You're trusting me with clothing that may be completely irreplaceable.

Maybe it's your dad's favorite shirt. Your mom's pajamas. Your husband's flannel. Or the tiny baby clothes you've kept tucked away for years.

I understand how much those pieces can mean.

So if you've placed your order—or you're thinking about ordering but wondering exactly how the process works—here's what you can expect.

Step 1: Choose Your Memory Keepsake

Start by selecting the memory animal you'd like me to create.

Your choice might depend on the person you're remembering, who will receive the keepsake, or simply which animal speaks to you.

You can also choose available personalization options, such as adding a name, date, short message or handwriting.

Step 2: Choose Your Clothing

Now comes a question I hear often: What should I send?

T-shirts, dress shirts, pajamas, cotton pants, sweatshirts and flannel are all good options for many of my memory keepsakes.

And don't worry about finding the "perfect" piece.

Sometimes the most meaningful clothing isn't perfect at all. It's meaningful because you remember the person wearing it.

That's what matters.

Step 3: Send Your Clothing to Me

After ordering, you'll receive the information you need to send your clothing to Sewing From The Hart.

Before shipping, make sure your clothing is clean and completely dry.

I also recommend using a shipping method that provides tracking. You're sending something that can't simply be replaced, so knowing where your package is along the way can provide a little extra peace of mind.

Step 4: Your Clothing Arrives at My Sewing Room

This is where my part begins.

Before cutting anything, I look at the clothing you've sent and think about how the different fabrics and details can work together.

A pocket might deserve a special spot.

Maybe there's a logo or design you immediately associate with your loved one.

Perhaps one fabric needs to be front and center.

I don't want your keepsake to look like every other one I've made.

I want it to look like yours.

Step 5: The Transformation Begins

Once I've planned everything out, the clothing becomes the pieces I'll use to create your memory animal.

Then I sew, assemble, stuff and finish your keepsake by hand.

If you've selected embroidery, I'll incorporate that personalization as well.

This is the part of the process I wish customers could sit in my sewing room and watch sometimes.

A pile of familiar clothing slowly becomes something completely different—but somehow still feels familiar.

Step 6: Your Keepsake Heads Home

Once your memory animal is finished, I carefully package it for its trip home to you.

And then comes my favorite part.

You get to open it.

I've made many memory keepsakes over the years, but I never forget that for the person opening that box, this one is the only one that matters.

Thinking About Ordering?

You don't have to know every detail before you begin.

If you've been saving meaningful clothing because you weren't quite sure what to do with it, a memory keepsake can give those pieces a new purpose while preserving the memories attached to them.

And when you're ready to trust me with them, I'll take it from there.

With love and stitches,
Beth