Guide · Memory pieces
A memory bear from clothing: is one shirt enough?
Updated: September 2026
2 min read
Usually, yes. One shirt or blouse is enough for a bear, and whatever is left over comes back to you. We sew from clothing that carries a story: bears, cushions, small blankets, a christening gown out of a wedding dress. From €89 per bear, an introductory price. Everything else we work out unhurriedly in the workshop.
- One shirt or blouse is usually enough for one bear
- Cushions and small blankets take two to eight pieces
- From €89 per bear, an introductory price
- Nothing needs washing or preparing beforehand
- We talk it through in person before the first cut, with no obligation
Contents
Prices and process at a glance:
The short answer
One shirt or blouse is usually enough for one bear. With a child's shirt, or very thin cloth, a second piece may be needed — we can see that once the clothes are on the table in front of us, not beforehand over the phone. For a cushion or a small blanket, reckon on two to eight pieces depending on size.
What the clothing can become
Four jobs come up most often.
- Memory bear — from a shirt, a blouse, a favourite jumper. Buttons, a collar or a sewn-in name tape can stay visible.
- Cushion — pieced together from several garments belonging to the same person.
- Small blanket — the same idea as a cushion, planned larger.
- Christening gown from a wedding dress — what becomes of the dress, and what is left of it, we settle beforehand.
How much cloth for what
Rough figures for a first conversation. It becomes firm once we have seen the pieces.
- Memory bear
- usually one shirt or blouse, from €89
- Cushion
- two to eight pieces, depending on size
- Small blanket
- two to eight pieces, depending on size
- Christening gown from a wedding dress
- on request, by arrangement
- Turnaround
- by arrangement
- Appointment
- in person at the workshop, not over the phone
Nothing needs preparing
Nothing has to be washed, ironed or unpicked. Bring the things as they came out of the wardrobe. If there is a stain you do not want removed, say so — some people want to keep exactly the spot where the coffee went over, and we cut around it. The same goes for buttons, a sewn-in name tape, a monogram, a pocket with biro marks: tell us what should end up in the finished piece and we plan it in.
The conversation before the first cut
Memory pieces we talk through in person, not by phone and not by message. There is a practical reason: we need to see how much usable cloth is really there, where the seams run, and which parts you want to keep. And there is a second one. The first cut cannot be undone. Before the scissors go in, it should be clear what is being made, what survives of the original and what comes back to you.
If you are not sure yet
That happens often, and it is no reason to leave again. Decisions like this take time, and the occasion is rarely an easy one. Come in and talk, leave the things with us, and decide afterwards. We keep the clothing safe until you get back in touch. There is no obligation, and no clock running.
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Common questions about memory pieces
Is one shirt enough for a memory bear?
Usually yes. With a child's shirt or very thin cloth a second piece may be needed — we can see that once the things are in front of us.
What does a memory bear cost?
From €89 per bear, currently an introductory price. Cushions, blankets and christening gowns are quoted by the work involved.
Does the clothing need washing first?
No. Bring it as it is — we take care of that.
Do I get the leftover cloth back?
Yes, if you want it. Say so when we talk and we set aside everything that is not used.
I am not sure yet.
We understand that. Come in and talk, leave the things here, and decide in your own time. We keep them safe, and there is no obligation.
Ready? Stop by.