This has to be the best thing to do with a onesie after your baby has outgrown it. Artists and crafty moms are turning those old baby clothes into teddy bears and parents are loving them.
These so-called “memory bears” are keepsakes that can be cherished by parents and kids for years to come. There are other animals you can try, too!
Check out some of these examples from Etsy where artists turn those tiny outfits into precious, creative bears that your kids can cuddle with.
This bear by ImaginationAcresLLC is covered with bunnies. We love how the artist even preserved those adorable bunny feet.
ImaginationAcresLLC
This handmade bear by CrazyLeggies is made from a cupcake-themed onesie! So adorable.
Crazy Leggies
How about this bear, covered with turtles. The blue ribbon is a perfect touch! (Wait, is every onesie required to have an animal print?)
ImaginationAcresLLC / Etsy
Remember we said you can morph baby clothes into other animals as well? Check out this stuffed elephant made from a sailing-themed onesie. You would never know he was once a onesie! He’s so cute.
Nestling Kids / Etsy
Typically, you are responsible for sending the garment you want the designer to use, but you don’t necessarily have to pay someone else to make you a memory bear.
How To DIY
If you have the sewing skills, here’s a pattern and instructions you can buy on Etsy for just $3.99.
Sherry Sopoci, who made the pattern and has years of experience making memory bears, offers some advice, “The main thing, no matter what fabric you’re using, is to add fusible interfacing to stabilize the fabric.”
Sopoci says interfacing will help to prevent the onesie fabric from bunching. She also shared the following advice:
For sewing beginners: When you’re using the pattern to cut pieces, remember to cut two opposite pieces (one for each half of the bear).
Instead of adding the interfacing to separate onesie pieces, try lining and ironing the entire onesie at one time before cutting (a huge time-saver).
And instead of onesies, you can always use other pieces of special clothing, a hospital blanket or even a two-piece set of pajamas.
You can also turn these special outfits into a pillow. Check out these patterns and tutorials that other seamstresses have shared.
Memory Bears By Mandi / Etsy
For something really special, parents often make a memory bear from the outfit their little bundle of joy was wearing when he or she left the hospital. We can imagine that would never end up buried in the attic!
