Hugs & Stitches
We create bespoke memory keepsakes such as teddy bears, cushions, and quilts, crafted from your cherished clothing. Whether honouring a loved one’s garments or celebrating milestones like a baby’s first birthday or christening, each piece is handmade with care to preserve memories you’ll treasure forever.
Our products...
Memory Bears
Hugs & Stitches Ltd
From £65.00
Memory bears are lovingly crafted from fabric you provide, often treasured items of clothing that hold special meaning, such as a favourite shirt, jumper, or baby outfit. Each bear is created with great care and attention to detail, turning your precious memories into a beautiful keepsake that can be cherished for years to come.
Memory Cushions
Hugs & Stitches Ltd
From £35.00
Our memory cushions are a beautiful way to keep someone special close. Each one is handmade from your chosen clothing, such as a favourite shirt, jumper, or hoodie. They can be created from a single item or as a patchwork using several garments, preserving precious details and memories in a comforting, lasting keepsake.
Memory Quilts
Hugs & Stitches Ltd
From £95.00
Our memory quilts are thoughtfully designed keepsakes made from cherished clothing or fabrics that hold special meaning. Created as lap quilts rather than full-sized bedding, they are perfect for displaying on a sofa, armchair, or at the foot of a bed, offering warmth, comfort, and a beautiful way to preserve treasured memories.
How it all started
For as long as she can remember, Carol-Ann, the founder of Hugs & Stitches, has had a needle and thread in her hand. Sewing has always been more than a skill, it’s been her lifelong passion. Over the years she has created everything from clothes to lunch bags, coffee mats, and even bibs for dogs. But it wasn’t until 2021, after the heart breaking loss of both her parents, that her sewing took on a new and deeply personal meaning.
Wanting to hold on to something tangible, she used her parents’ clothing to make her very first memory bear. When her family saw the bears, they all asked for one of their own, and soon she had lovingly crafted twelve in total. It was then Carol-Ann realised that this was what she was meant to do, create treasured keepsakes that bring comfort, joy, and lasting memories.
Today, she offers her memory pieces to families all across the country. While bears are at the heart of her work, not everyone chooses a bear. Some prefer a small quilt, a cushion, or another thoughtful keepsake.
And it’s not only about loss, memory bears and keepsakes can also celebrate happy milestones, from school uniforms and wedding dresses to christening gowns, first babygros, or even military uniforms. Whatever the memory, Carol-Ann can help you hold it close in a way that lasts forever.
Hugs & Stitches Ltd
Current wait time for your keepsake delivery is 6 weeks.
How it works...
1.
Select the item or items of clothing that you would like to use to create your memory keepsake. Each garment will contribute to the finished piece, so choose items that hold special meaning to you.
For guidance on the number of items needed and the types of fabrics that are suitable (and those that are not), please click on the FABRIC tab in the FAQ section below. This section provides detailed information to help ensure your chosen clothing will work well and result in a high-quality, lasting keepsake.
If you are unsure about any particular item, feel free to contact us for advice, we’re happy to help you make the best choices to preserve your memories.
2.
Decide whether you would like a memory bear, cushion, or quilt, and then visit our Shop All page to explore the options. Once you have chosen your keepsake, you can create an account on our website, which will allow you to place your order securely and track its progress.
Creating an account also ensures we have the correct contact and delivery details, making it easier to communicate with you about your order and any questions that may arise.
After your order is placed, we will guide you through the next steps, including sending your mailing bag for your clothing and providing advice on suitable fabrics.
3.
Once we have received your payment, we will post an addressed mailing bag to you for sending your clothing items.
Place your chosen garments inside this bag and ensure they are clean and dry before posting.
You will need to pay the postage cost to send the clothing to us, as this is not included in the order price.
We recommend using a tracked postal service for peace of mind, as we cannot be responsible for items lost in transit.
4.
Once we have received your clothing and all necessary details, we will begin crafting your keepsake with care and attention to detail. Each item is handmade, ensuring that your memory bear, cushion, or quilt is unique and special.
During the process, we may need to get in touch with you using your preferred contact method if any questions arise about your garments or the design. This helps us make sure every detail is just right and that your keepsake turns out exactly as you hope.
You can rest assured that we handle every item with respect and care, treating your clothing and memories as a priority throughout the creation process.
5.
This is the hardest part - waiting for your keepsake to be lovingly created and delivered! Each memory bear, cushion, or quilt is handmade with care, which takes time to ensure every detail is perfect.
Currently, the process can take up to 6 weeks, depending on demand for the service. If you need your keepsake for a specific date, such as a birthday, anniversary, or special event, we recommend placing your order well in advance to allow plenty of time for creation and delivery.
While you wait, you can take comfort knowing that your clothing is being carefully transformed into a unique, lasting memory that you will treasure for years to come.
6.
Finally, the special day arrives - the moment you get to unbox your memory bear, cushion, or quilt! Each item has been carefully handmade with love and attention to detail, turning your cherished clothing into a beautiful keepsake.
We are confident that you will be delighted with the finished product, and hope it brings comfort, joy, and a lasting reminder of the memories it represents.
Whether it takes pride of place on a sofa, chair, or bed, your keepsake is designed to be a treasured part of your home for years to come.
Why choose Hugs & Stitches?
We know there are many people making memory bears and keepsakes, but what makes ours special is the heart and care that goes into every single piece.
For Carol-Ann, this isn’t just sewing, it’s personal. Having first discovered the true meaning of memory bears after the loss of her own parents, she understands how important it is to capture love, comfort, and memories in something you can hold.
Every bear, cushion, or quilt is made with patience, skill, and respect for the clothing entrusted to her. No two items are ever the same. Each is stitched with attention to detail and finished to the highest standard.
Carol-Ann treats every item of clothing as if it were her own, knowing that it represents someone’s most precious memories.
When you choose Hugs & Stitches, you’re not just ordering a keepsake, you’re receiving something made with compassion, experience, and a genuine desire to bring comfort and joy for years to come.
We had our bears made from my mums clothing. I was absolutely blown away by them, the quality of each of them are made with such love and care, I was expecting a really long wait but they arrived so quick.
My daughter cuddles hers often and its still just like it was new. The bears are made to sit freely, so they sit beautifully anywhere. Its something myself and my children will cherish forever. Can't thank you enough for this keepsake after our huge loss, It makes everyday a little bearable :)
Would highly recommend.
~ Sereine
I recently received my memory bears made from my mum’s clothes, and I’m absolutely over the moon with them. The thought and effort that went into creating each bear are truly outstanding. You can really feel the love and care that’s been poured into every stitch. The quality is fantastic — beautifully made and full of meaning. These bears are so special and such a comforting way to keep a part of my mum close. Thank you so much for creating something so precious; they mean the world to me. 💖🐻
~ Rhia
Carol Ann at Hugs and Stitches created a beautiful teddy bear and small quilt from my parents’ clothing. They’re exquisitely crafted, full of love, and bring me so much comfort. The quality is outstanding — I’ll treasure them forever. She’s a true genius with a sewing machine, and her work will last a lifetime.
~ Susan
Get in Touch
Still have questions? We would love to hear from you and will be happy to help.
Complete the contact form with as much detail as you can and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please allow up to 5 working days for a response.
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