A good way to honor and remember someone that has passed is with memory quilted bears.  You use the fabrics from items that belonged to your loved one.  This is a wonderful way to remember someone special and to have a family heirloom to pass down for many generations.

The first step in making memory quilted bears is to make a small patchwork style quilt from different fabrics that were used by or belonged to the loved one.  You can use towels, sheets, clothing, ties, and other accessories.  If you have enough materials, you can even make several memory quilted bears.

The next step is to find a basic bear pattern.  Purchase stuffing and the other items that you will need according to the pattern directions.  Instead of using standard, store-bought fabric use the quilted fabric that you created in step one of this project. 

To finalize your memory quilted bears, use jewelry and other accessories that belonged to your loved one.  For example, you can use buttons from one their shirts for the eyes. If the bear is large enough you can even accessorize it with personal items such as a necklace by using an anklet or bracelet worn by the loved one.  Tie tacks and cuff links make great accessories as well.

You can put a zipper on the back of the memory quilted bear.  Inside the bear you can place a picture of the loved one or other important small items that you would like to keep. 

Quilted memory pillows can be created in the same way. Whether it’s, a pillow or a quilted memory bear, it will help with the grieving process and be a wonderful heirloom treasure to pass down for many generations in your family.