Memory Makes & Memory Bags
a bespoke item made especially for you, from your own textile
What is a Memory Make?
A Memory Make is something made specifically for you, from an item you cherish and holds sentimental value. This could a bag made from a loved one’s leather jacket, trousers you bought on honeymoon that possibly no longer fit or grandma’s old leather sofa or curtains. The most popular item is a Memory Bag - but the possibilities are endless.
For some who have experienced the loss of someone special in their life, a Memory Make can be a way to help navigate feelings of grief and sadness.
Email me if you are interested in Sew Helen Richardson creating a unique Memory Make / Memory Bag for you.
Over 50 years of memories
This battered old leather jacket was bought as a gift over 50 years ago. The jacket was literally falling apart at the seams. The leather was crispy and dry. It also had lots of damaged areas and sections covered in paint. The owner didn’t want to part with the jacket but knew it could never be worn again. They asked if I could make them a Memory Make (Memory Bag) to their required shape and size. And they asked for it to be lined with one of their old but favourite shirts. Note how the leather has changed colour once it has been conditioned and cleaned.
Memory Makes for 3
This customer’s husband had died 10 years ago. She held on to his favourite leather coat. She asked if I could make 3 Memory Bags; one for her, her daughter and her son. What a privilege for me! The son now has a unique laptop bag, the daughter a fun round bag and mum, well she has a fabulous, large bucket bag. They all now have something they can use daily to remember the person who was so significant to them all.
Here is her review:
I am crying! They are amazing. Thank you SO much. My husband loved that coat when he was in his 20s. It has been in the wardrobe since then. He would have been 66 this year. He has been dead 10 years and it has been waiting in case my son wanted it. I am so pleased to have useful bags. Thank you!
Wedding Memory Make
My daughter recently got married. I wanted a unique, personalised gift for her and her husband to remember the day.
I used free motion sewing techniques and copied her wedding invite to make her a cushion. I used tiny sections of the wedding dress fabric (yes, I made her dress) and I used a leftover section of the fabric used to make the under layer of her dress for the front white panel of the cushion. The groom’s suit was dark green so I made the cushion outfit and the back panel of the cushion dark green.
Grandma’s old chairs
This customer asked if I could make 3 Memory Makes (Memory Bags) from from grandma’s old leather chairs. All backpacks.
The leather chairs had different tones - starting as dark brown near the bottom of the chairs, changing to a red/brown colour on the seat area. As a result I was able to make 3 totally unique bags for the ladies of the family. What a lovely, yet useful way, to make use of grandma’s old furniture.
And these were loved so much that I was asked to make an additional bag and some men’s wallets, with the leftover leather, for other members of the family.
Leather toilet bag
A customer was getting married. She asked me to upcycle her own old leather jacket into a Memory Make. She asked for a two compartment toilet bag. It was a thank you gift for her sister and so she wanted several personal element adding.
It is such an honour to be able to work with treasured possessions - and even more so when they are so delighted by what is made.
Here’s her review
Helen made a toilet bag as a present for my sister as a thank you for the help when I got married. She made it using a leather jacket my mum bought me years ago. Every detail was carefully planned, from the design, to the lining, to the diamonte zip, to the name I gave my sister when we were small children, subtly sewn inside. She carefully made the old worn leather look brand new. I can honestly say Helen’s creation would look at home on the shelf of a very high end luxury store. Her attention to detail is fantastic and I could not have been happier with the result. It is very clear to me that Helen’s heart is bursting with wanting satisfaction for her customers and I cannot recommend her highly enough……. Allie, Broomfleet
