How to Choose Fabric for a Memory Bear, and Why Planning is Everything

How to Choose Fabrics for a Memory Bear (and Why Planning is Everything)

If you’re wondering how to make a memory bear or what to use to make a memory bear, the very first step begins long before you thread a needle, it starts with choosing your fabrics. For many, this is the most emotional part of the journey, and it’s something I believe deserves time, care, and respect.

Whether you’re planning to use one of our memory bear patterns or you're completely new to sewing keepsakes, here’s how to make thoughtful decisions when selecting and placing fabrics for your bear.

Choose Pieces That Hold a Story

When choosing clothing for a memory bear, it's a deeply personal decision. I always recommend selecting the items that tell a story, the pieces you can point to and say “Grandad always wore this shirt,” or “You wore this on the day we brought you home from the hospital.”

Yes, sometimes these clothes are stained or worn thin, but that’s part of the story too. These fabrics hold time, scent, and meaning. If you're able to, a gentle wash helps freshen the fabric before working with it, but many people choose to keep the original smell because those fibres carry precious memories.

What Fabrics Work Best for a Memory Bear?

When I ran my memory bear business, I especially loved working with cotton sleepsuits, button-down shirts, and knitwear. These were often easier to handle and made for beautifully soft bears.

Some fabrics are a little more challenging, like loose knits, silks, and heavy denim, but don’t let that put you off. With the right prep (more on that in a future blog post), even tricky fabrics can make stunning heirlooms.

If you're wondering what to use to make a memory bear, look for fabrics that are:

• Sentimental first
• In good enough condition to sew, don't forget the higher quality the clothing the higher quality the finished keepsake will be.
• Not too stretchy or slippery (unless you're confident)
• That you machine can handle, some domestic sewing machine may struggle sewing through layers of denim for example.

Planning Fabric Placement

Planning where each fabric will go on your bear is one of the most important (and creative!) parts of the process. It can also feel a bit daunting.

When I was making memory bears full-time, I often made several bears from the same set of clothes in different layouts. Almost every time, one arrangement just looked better. In the beginning, I’d spend hours considering placement, but over time I got quicker and developed a real knack for visualising where everything should go the moment I opened a parcel of clothes.

That’s why I always say: take your time. Plan it out. Think about where you want any logos, buttons, patterns, or motifs to sit. It makes all the difference.

Once It’s Cut, It Can’t Be Uncut

There’s a reason people say “measure twice, cut once.” When you’re working with irreplaceable clothing, there are no second chances. That’s why careful planning is so essential.

Whether you’re making a bear, bunny, quilt, or cushion, the principle is the same: visualise the finished keepsake before you take those scissors to fabric. It’s worth every extra moment of thought.

Use Our Pattern Planners to Help You Visualise

To make planning easier, I’ve created fabric placement planners that come with each of our memory bear patterns and animal keepsake designs. These are printable templates you can colour in or label with swatches to help you map out your fabric choices before you start cutting.

They’re especially useful when you have lots of fabrics to work with or want to keep a consistent look across multiple bears. You can see how the final piece will come together, make confident decisions, and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Each planner is designed to work perfectly with the pattern it comes with, just select the right planner for your chosen pattern.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most common mistakes I see (apart from understuffing!) is poor fabric placement. A beautiful motif stuck on a bear’s forehead or an upside-down design across the tummy can spoil an otherwise lovely keepsake. You also don’t want to hide the most meaningful elements, like a special pocket, logo or embroidery.

That’s why I always say: check twice. Cutting twice isn’t always an option when your fabric is limited and irreplaceable.

Ready to Begin?

Making a memory bear is such a special project, and if you’re just starting out, don’t worry our patterns are beginner-friendly and come with step-by-step instructions. Combine them with the pattern planners, and you’ll feel confident every step of the way.

Whether you’re preserving baby clothes, honouring a loved one, or making a bear just because you’re creating something meaningful. Take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy the process.

You’ve got this.