Bespoke memory bags

A memory bag is a handmade keepsake, created from the clothing or furnishings of someone who meant the world to you. You choose the design. You provide the fabric. I do the rest.

Whether it is your grandfather's tweed coat, your mother's cotton shirts, your child’s school uniform, your baby's favourite blanket, or the bed of a beloved dog, I will work with you to create a bag that is uniquely, meaningfully yours.

Memory bags are not display pieces. They are bags you actually use. You carry them to the supermarket, take them on the school run, or sling them over your shoulder without a second thought, in doing so, you carry your memories with you.

What can be made into a memory bag?

Almost any fabric can be considered, though some work better than others. I will always advise you on what is possible before any decisions are made. Here is a broad guide to the kinds of garments and furnishings I work with most often.

Clothing

Tweed jackets, tartan skirts, cotton shirts and dresses, blouses, trousers, jogging bottoms and sweatshirts, transform the favourite items of your loved one into the finest memory bags. Even school uniforms, sports kits, or work wear can make a deeply personal bag.

Household furnishings

Curtains, tablecloths, and blankets. These are particularly popular for people who want to preserve the memory of a home that has been sold or cleared.

Pet belongings

Some dog beds and blankets make the ideal fabric for a memory bag, bringing comfort following the loss of an animal over the rainbow bridge.

What fabrics work best?

Ideal fabrics

Tweed, boiled wool, tartan, cotton shirts and dresses. These hold their structure well and produce a beautiful finish that lasts for years.

Good with stabilising

Sweatshirt material, polo tops, light jerseys, and jogging bottoms. These can be used successfully with the right stabilising and often produce a wonderfully soft, everyday bag.

Mixed results

Very loose-weave items such as chunky-knit woollen jumpers. Results vary depending on the bag style. I will advise when we speak, and I will never start work on a fabric I have doubts about without discussing it with you first.

Not sure about your fabric?

Get in touch and I will let you know what is possible before you commit to anything.

How many bags can you get from a garment?

A shoulder bag requires two large adult tops or shirts

Two crossbody bags can be made from one large pair of adult trousers and a shirt.

One large tote bag needs a curtain, dog bed, or large household textile.

Wash bags can be made from a variety of fabrics. Depending on your item the finished size of the bag can be adjusted.

A laptop bag will require a mixture of my fabric for the outer elements of the bag with accents of your own fabric for the lining.

These are rough guides. The exact number of bags will depend on the size of the garments and the style chosen. If you have a small amount of fabric but want to create bags for several family members, do not worry. I can supplement your fabric with complementary materials from my own stock at an additional cost. This is something I do regularly for families who want everyone to have a piece of the same fabric.

How it works

1. Get in touch to discuss your fabric and chosen bag style.

2. We will discuss what is possible and I will provide a clear quote.

3. Pay a deposit to secure your place on the waiting list.

4. When you reach the top of the waiting list, drop your garments off locally (Reading and South Oxon border).

5. Your bag is handcrafted with care.

6. Collect your finished keepsake at a convenient time.

I will keep you informed throughout the process. If I have any concerns about the fabric once I begin, I will contact you before making any decisions. Nothing is cut until we are both happy.

How much does it cost?

Because every bag is bespoke, pricing depends on the style you choose and the complexity of the fabric involved. Some materials require additional stabilising or particularly careful handling, which affects the time and skill required. I will always give you a clear quote before any work begins, and the price will never change once agreed.

Get in touch with your chosen style and a description of your fabric to receive a personalised price.

How long does it take?

Each bag takes approximately two days to make once it reaches the top of the waiting list. The current waiting list is approximately one month from the point of enquiry, though this varies at busy times of year. I will always give you the most accurate estimate I can when you first get in touch.

Please let me know if you are working towards a special occasion, a birthday, an anniversary, a family gathering, or a memorial, and I will do everything I can to ensure your bag is ready in time. The earlier you get in touch, the more likely I am to be able to accommodate your date.

A note on scent

I know that the smell of a loved one's clothing can be the most powerful memory of all. For health, safety, and fabric preservation, all garments are washed in non-bio detergent before cutting. This means that scent may fade during the process.

My tip

Set aside a small bottle of their favourite perfume or aftershave before you drop the garments off. Once your bag is finished and at home with you, give a light spritz of their scent into the air near the finished bag whenever you want to bring that memory back. Several customers have told me this simple act of keeping the scent has meant more than they expected.