Memory keepsakes are items made from clothing when someone passes away. We are heading into the holiday season which can be a very difficult time for people who have lost a loved one. I rely on creative reuse for inspiration and healing. I believe it is possible to help process grief and worry by making beautiful things. In addition, when we bring new purpose to an item that was going in the trash or sitting unused, it adds other layers of positive meaning to our efforts.
I read an article about how making art and crafts can be especially helpful to children who are grieving. It helps children to communicate without words. Working on the craft sets aside a time to talk about the loss. And it lets people take abstract ideas and make them into something concrete.
Memory Keepsake Project Ideas Discussed in this Episode
Trashmagination Pinterest Board of Memory Keepsake Ideas
Quilts
Runner
Pillows
Teddy Bears
Ornaments
Scarves
Flower Broach
Denim Basket
Hooked or Braided Rug
Memory Keepsake Project Tutorials
Sadie Seasongoods Plaid Runner
Abby Glassenberg’s Memory Bear from Sweaters
Bird Ornament from a Shirt by View from the Fridge
Bird Ornament from a Shirt by Cutesy Crafts
Plaid Scarf by Gina-Michele
Simple Wool Flower Broach by Upcycled Creatively
Denim Buckets by Curly Made
Braided Rug by Wonder Forest
What is Punch Needling?
Artists Who Make Memory Keepsakes
Sherri Lynn Wood and Passage Quilts
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I will be talking about quilt making and the bereavement process at Quiltcon Sunday at noon Georgia Marie Wood (1917 – 2003) made in 2004 from fragments of my Grandmother's housecoats, Sunday dresses, and golf shirts. Made as a gift for my father. 78" x 62" . . . . #quiltcon #passagequilting #bereavement #quiltlife #quilting #improvpatchwork #improvquilting #socialpractice #modernquilting #mqg
A post shared by Sherri Lynn Wood (@sherrilynnwood) on Feb 19, 2018 at 9:35am PST
Mary Burgess and Woven Memories
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Grandma's jumpers cushion. Jumpers have been felted, cut and handwoven then stitched to the cushion cover. I love finding new ways to use family textiles in ways that remember and honour someone who's gone
A post shared by Mary Burgess (@maryhandweaver) on Dec 11, 2017 at 7:00pm PST
Show Details
Script for this podcast episode about making memory keepsakes made from the clothing of a loved one (not a transcript but gives the main ideas)
The Trashmagination podcast theme music is Kitchen from the Marian Circle Drum Brigade.
