*** Now taking orders for Feb/Mar 2025 ***
About Us
Hi and welcome. I'm Aileen and I run The Memory Makery from my home in Edinburgh. I've been making memory bears, cushions and more since 2019 - a complete change of direction from my previous career in IT. I love transforming precious clothes and fabrics into memory keepsakes to treasure.
All items are personal, unique and made by me according to your specific requirements.
If you've been holding on to clothes that are hiding away (perhaps first baby clothes, school uniform or clothes belonging to a loved one) and you'd like to do something special with them, then I can help.
Please have a look below to see a selection of keepsakes and to find out more.
Keepsake Menu
Memory Bears
Not just bears - cows, rabbits and more! If you have a special request, please get in touch.
Signature Bear
£68
The most popular memory bear, perfect for displaying large patterns, motifs and crests.
This is a traditional style, soft-filled bear, sitting at approx. 14 inches tall.
Choose between button-jointed style with moveable limbs or floppy style with sewn-in limbs.
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' listings for other customisation options.
Care: Wipe clean only
Mini Bear
£58
Small but perfectly formed, this is a mini version of the signature bear.
It's soft-filled and sits at approx. 10 inches tall.
Choose between button-jointed style with moveable limbs or floppy style with sewn-in limbs.
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' listings below for other customisation options.
Care: Wipe clean only
Highland Cow
£68
Our collection of keepsakes handmade in Scotland would not be complete without a Highland Cow!
Soft filled and sitting at approx. 12 inches tall, this wee coo features moveable button-jointed limbs and woolly hair.
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' listings below for other customisation options.
Care: Wipe clean only
Bear/Cow extras: layers
add £7
Add extra detail to the body of your bear or cow, such as cardigan/jumper/waistcoat effect, shirt collar and buttons.
Please note that these will be detailed effects stitched on your keepsake and will not usually be removable clothing.
Tie/bow tie listed separately and can be added.
Care: Wipe clean only
Bear/Cow extras: formal
add £12
A more formal version of the clothing layer effect, e.g. in wedding or highland dress style, including bow tie/tie/cravat.
Please note that these will be detailed effects stitched on your keepsake and will not usually be removable clothing.
Care: Wipe clean only
Bear/Cow extras: accessories
from £5
All extras are suitable for keepsake bears or cows, unless stated otherwise.
Clothing accessories are miniature versions usually made from customers' own clothing, including flat caps. If you would like me to source fabric, please ask for a quote.
Tie/bow-tie/cravat: £5
Flat cap (bears only): £10
Kilt/skirt: £15
Shorts/trousers: £15
Apron: £10
Spectacles (for mini bear only): £5
Care: Wipe clean only
Rabbit
£68
An adorable bunny rabbit keepsake, also soft-filled and with moveable, button-jointed limbs.
This one sits at approx. 11 inches tall.
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' menu for details.
Care: Wipe clean only
Lion
£68
Less fierce and more cute, a soft-filled lion with fixed limbs in a seated pose.
This one sits at approx. 11 inches tall.
Made with a funkyfriendsfactory pattern.
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' menu for details.
Care: Wipe clean only
Cat
£68
A gorgeous patchwork style cat with lots of space to show off special fabrics.
This one stands in a fixed pose and is approx 17 inches long.
Made with a funkyfriendsfactory pattern.
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' menu for details.
Care: Wipe clean only
Dog
£68
A cute puppy dog in a standing pose, with floppy ears and big, endearing eyes.
This one stands at approx. 13 inches tall and 16 inches long from nose to tail tip.
Made with a funkyfriendsfactory pattern.
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' menu for details.
Care: Wipe clean only
Gorilla
£68
A handsome gorilla keepsake, complete with smiley face! It has floppy, sewn-in limbs so can perch happily in a seated pose.
This one sits at approx. 11 inches tall; 14 inches when fully extended.
Made with a funkyfriendsfactory pattern.
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' menu for details.
Care: Wipe clean only
Reindeer
£68
A sweet button-jointed reindeer, perfect for showing off baby's first Christmas clothes, including any hats, bows and frills!
This one stands at approx. 17 inches tall.
Comes with a removable scarf for Reindeer's neck (not pictured).
Includes small amount of personalisation such as name, birth details etc. See 'Extras' menu for details.
Care: Wipe clean only
Cushions
Cushions in all shapes and sizes on request, just ask! Here is a sample of a few styles.
Square Cushion
from £42
Cushion featuring a lined, zipped, removable cover with cushion insert included.
Approx. 43x43cm.
Plain (one fabric per side) - £42
Shirt cushion - £45
Patchwork/multi fabric - from £50
Add a piped edge - £10
Care:
Outer cover - handwash/machine wash gentle
Inner pad - wipe clean only
'Class Of' Cushion
from £50
Perfect for all school leavers and graduates. A rectangular cushion featuring a lined, zipped, removable cover with cushion insert.
The front face includes 'class of' year in chosen fabrics on plain background (or why not swap the year for initials). Back includes one or two fabrics.
Approx. 50x30cm
Add a piped edge - £10
Care:
Outer cover- handwash/machine wash gentle
Inner pad - wipe clean only
Small Heart Cushion
from £20
A heart-shaped , soft filled, small scatter cushion.
One fabric each side - £20
Two fabrics each side - £25
Small-square patchwork on 1 side - £35
Approx. 31x28cm
Care: Wipe clean only
Other Keepsakes
Our keepsake range keeps growing with every special request, including the options below.
Hanging Hearts & Stars
£10
Small, soft-filled hanging hearts or stars, featuring up to 4 fabrics each, 2 on each side for hearts and a single fabric each side for stars. These can also be decorated with any special buttons or bows from clothing.
Approx. 12cm long
2 or more hanging decorations - £8 each
Care: Wipe clean only
Christmas Stocking
£35
A great way to display all of those Christmas outfits, or any other special clothing or fabrics.
This stocking can be made completely reversible inside/out, allowing for even more special fabrics, or it can be lined inside with a plain fabric if you prefer.
(Pom pom customer's own).
Approx. 53cm long
Care: Wipe clean only
Doorstop
£35
This doorstop makes for a practical keepsake, but still with plenty of space to showcase special clothing.
Filled with a mixture of steel disc weighting and hollow fibre filling. Usually filled to approx. 2kg in weight.
Approx. H20xW15xL15cm
Care: Wipe clean only
Extras
Every keepsake is unique and personal and can be customised even further with the following options.
Small Personalisation
Included
Customise any keepsake with extra details such as birth details, names, initials, dates, school name etc. A small amount of writing such as this is included in the price of every keepsake.
I use permanent, heat-pressed vinyl, precision cut in a selection of fonts and I colour-match this to the keepsake for best effect.
Choose from fonts above at design time - handwriting, courier or swirly styles.
Extra Personalisation
from £5
Add to the personalisation with additional quotes or motifs on your keepsake or removable neck tag.
Additional long writing/quotes - £5
Writing on a removable fabric tag - £10
Picture/logo image/motif - from £5, please ask
Tartan Fabric
from £15
I can source your tartan fabric of choice for clan tartan memory keepsakes. Wool, brushed lambswool or polycotton subject to availability.
Please note that all products are ornamental keepsakes and not suitable as toys. They cannot be sold as toys and are therefore not suitable for children under 14 years old.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many items of clothing do you need?
A minimum of 5 newborn-sized babygrow or similar sized items for a signature bear, but I recommend 6-8 items. Add one or two more for tiny clothes. Cushions may require more clothing to cover front and back.
One adult sized item, such as shirt/blouse, trousers or jumper/cardigan, for a signature bear. For group orders, allow one long-sleeve shirt or similar sized item for every two bears or every cushion, plus one extra item for the whole group.
These are minimum guidelines. I can work with many more items if you want to incorporate more clothing.
What type of fabric can be used?
Most lightweight/medium fabrics can be used on any keepsake. All fabric is lined before being used for stability. Very delicate fabrics such as chiffon, tulle or lace may need to be overlaid on another fabric, but there are ways to incorporate anything special. Heavy duty materials can be more difficult, please enquire.
Unfortunately I cannot work with pet/animal materials such as bedding or clothing.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping may vary depending on size, weight and quantity. Typically, most single, unweighted keepsakes will cost approx £5-£6 for Royal Mail tracked 48hr delivery within the UK. International shipping quotes are on request. Estimated costs will be advised on booking and confirmed on completion.
Are keepsakes suitable as toys?
Strictly not. Keepsakes cannot be safety tested, due to use of pre-worn clothing. They therefore cannot be CE marked or sold as toys suitable for children under 14 years. Memory products should be ordered as ornamental keepsakes only.
What materials do you use to fill keepsakes?
Soft keepsakes are filled with a soft, high loft polyester fibre filling, and cushions with a similar inner cushion pad, both of which conform to BS Fire and Safety regulations.
Although keepsakes are not toys or suitable for young children, I use plastic safety eyes and strengthen all seams and openings. I also offer a fully sewn version of my signature and mini bears with sewn-in limbs, rather than traditional button joints, to minimise any risk.
Do you make birthweight bears?
I no longer offer bears or keepsakes weighted to birthweight.
If you had previously ordered a baby birthweight bear and are looking for a matching keepsake for a sibling, please get in touch.
How long does it take?
At peak times, keepsakes can take up to 4-6 weeks from receipt of clothing, due to the high degree of hand crafting.
Do you have a waiting list?
I have a limited number of booking slots per month and these are filled on a first come first served basis 2 to 3 months at a time. I don't keep a waiting list beyond that, in order to manage my workload. Orders open the month before each booking period and once filled, ordering closes again until the next block.
Do you offer discounts?
I don't offer discounts on standard keepsake prices for bulk orders. Each item is handmade with the same care and attention regardless of the order size.
Do you accept returns?
Unfortunately due to the custom nature of all orders, I cannot accept returns.
What if there is a problem?
Keepsakes are carefully checked for any weaknesses. In the unlikely event of a problem, please get in touch so that it can be corrected quickly.
All soft-filled, ornamental keepsakes are well stuffed and should stand the test of time if treated with care.
Over time, the filling may flatten or the joints loosen a little as with a soft toy, especially if they receive lots of hugs. Please get in touch if your keepsake needs a freshen up in the future.
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