How to Order
This page gently guides you through the process of ordering a bespoke keepsake. Everything you need to know is gathered here in one calm, reassuring place — from how your garments are cared for, to what to send, to the practical details that help you feel prepared. My aim is to make this experience as simple and comforting as possible, especially if you’re ordering during a tender time.
Every keepsake is created slowly and thoughtfully, one garment and one story at a time. The steps below explain exactly what happens from the moment you get in touch to the moment your finished piece is safely returned home to you.
BESPOKE CARE PROCESS (BCP)
The Bespoke Care Process is the quiet heart of how I work. It’s the part you don’t see — the slow, careful, intentional steps that happen from the moment your garments arrive to the moment your keepsake begins its journey home. Every stage is managed with the same care and respect I would want for my own precious items.
Your parcel is opened slowly and carefully. I take time to look through each garment, check what you’ve sent against what we discussed, and make sure everything is suitable for the keepsake you’ve chosen.
I then take a quick set of photographs of your garments exactly as they are. This documents their condition, details, and features before any work begins. I also make sure to check in any photographs and/or notes you have included so they can be kept safe throughout the entire process.
Your garments are stored safely in a lidded box dedicated solely to your order. This keeps everything together, protected, and separate from other projects. Your items remain in this box throughout the entire process — from arrival, through making, until packaging — so nothing is ever misplaced or mixed with another order.
Storing garments in a closed box also helps preserve any natural scents. These small traces can hold powerful memories and keeping them contained allows them to remain present for that first moment when you open your parcel.
Garments are gently prepared for making. This may include pressing, stabilising delicate or stretchy fabrics, planning pattern placement, and deciding how best to use each piece of fabric. I take time to consider motifs, pockets, labels, textures, and meaningful marks so they can be placed thoughtfully within your keepsake. Pressing and stabilising at this stage helps the fabric behave well during cutting and sewing, ensuring a smoother, more accurate finish in the final piece.
This stage is approached with great care. I cut as little as possible, using the fabric thoughtfully and respectfully. Every cut is intentional and always made with your story in mind.
The cutting stage is also the most time‑consuming part of the entire process. It often takes a full day of focused work — sometimes longer, especially for quilts — as each piece is planned, placed, and shaped with precision.
For quilts, once all the pieces have been cut, each seam is pressed flat and arranged so the seams run in different directions. This helps the quilt top sit smoothly and ensures it lies beautifully flat once assembled.
Your keepsake is sewn together slowly and carefully.
Once the main body has been assembled and filled, I leave the bear, animal, or cushion to settle for at least 24 hours before sewing the final stitches. This resting time allows the filling or padding to relax into its natural shape, and it helps me see whether any final adjustments are needed so your keepsake feels balanced, comfortable to hold, and full of character.
For keepsakes that require stuffing — usually bears and animals, and occasionally cushions — the filling process itself is slow and intuitive. Each piece is shaped and filled gradually to achieve the right feel, weight, and personality before it is left to settle.
Other cushions are made differently. Depending on the type of order, some cushions are quilted, and others are designed to be used with a cushion pad instead of stuffing.
Quilts are long, detailed, and physically intensive to sew. Once the quilt top has been pieced together, it is layered with quilt wadding and a backing fabric, quilted securely, and finished with hand‑stitched binding made from leftover fabrics.
Throughout the making process, I take photographs and short videos to document the progress of your keepsake. These behind‑the‑scenes moments are used for my records and occasionally for reels or progress content, but never in a way that reveals your keepsake before you have received it.
Once the sewing and finishing touches are complete, I take time to review your keepsake with fresh eyes. This includes checking the balance, shape, seams, details, and overall feel to ensure everything is exactly as it should be.
Once I’m fully happy, I take a final set of photographs and a short video for my website and social media. These are never shared immediately. They are posted around two weeks after you have received your keepsake, so your first moment with it remains private and personal.
Your keepsake is carefully wrapped, protected, and prepared for posting. The bear, animal, cushion, or quilt is beautifully wrapped and then packed up with care.
Your order may arrive in a reused box, recycled packaging, or other sustainable materials. I choose these options intentionally — because it’s never about what the box looks like, it’s about the precious keepsake inside.
Once your parcel is ready, I let you know it’s on its way and forward the tracking code so you can follow its journey home.
HOW TO ORDER — BESPOKE
Ordering a bespoke keepsake is not something that can be reduced to a simple “add to basket” button — and that is very intentional. Every order is different. Every garment carries its own history. Every story needs to be understood before a single stitch is made. Bespoke work requires conversation, clarity, and agreement before anything begins, which is why my website does not have a traditional shop checkout.
Instead, you can contact me through any of the methods listed on my website — whichever feels easiest for you — and we begin gently, together, making sure your garments, your wishes, and your keepsake are all aligned before your order officially enters my making schedule.
When you’re ready to explore a bespoke keepsake, you can contact me to talk through:
- what kind of keepsake you’re considering
- which garments you have?
- whether those garments are suitable
- any special details or requests
- current turnaround times
- when your order would realistically be able to begin
This first conversation is simply about understanding — no pressure, no rush.
Sharing Photos, Stories & Meaning (Optional)
You’re welcome to send photos of your garments if you’d like guidance before posting.
Many people also choose to share a little about the person, moment, or memory behind their keepsake. This can be as simple or as detailed as you wish — every story is held with care and never taken for granted.
If there are features, you’d love included, or details that hold special meaning, you can point these out during this stage.
This helps me understand what matters most to you before your garments arrive.
Once you feel ready to go ahead, I will create your order in my system. At this stage we confirm:
- the type of keepsake(s)
- the size(s)
- any key preferences
- specific garments you’d like used, clearly labelled.
- your contact details
Your order is then given a unique order number, which becomes active once your deposit or full payment has been received.
To secure your place in my schedule, you can choose the option that feels most comfortable for you.
Because every keepsake is bespoke and time is set aside specifically for your order, a small non‑refundable portion is included in each option to reserve your place.
You can choose:
– Pay in full
Your order is fully secured and ready to move into the making schedule when your garments arrive.
– £10 non‑refundable deposit
This gently reserves your place and order number.
The remaining balance is due upon completion of your keepsake, before it begins its journey home.
– Payment plan
A flexible option if you prefer to spread the cost.
This usually begins with 25% upfront (with £15 non‑refundable), and the remaining balance can be paid in agreed instalments.
The non‑refundable portion is slightly higher on the payment plan because personalised instalments require additional administrative time to set up and manage, and this helps cover that extra work while keeping the plan flexible for you.
Payment plans may continue while your keepsake is being made, depending on what we agree together.
No keepsake is posted until payment has been made in full.
You’re welcome to choose whichever option feels manageable.
There is no pressure — just clarity, fairness, and a process that supports you.
Once your order is created and your payment or deposit is received, I will send you:
- your order number
- my studio address
- clear posting instructions
These instructions explain how to prepare your garments, how to label your parcel, and what to include inside.
When you’re ready, you can prepare your garments for posting.
I recommend:
- folding garments neatly
- placing them in a protective inner bag
- using a sturdy outer envelope or box
- writing your order number clearly on the outside
- including a note with your name and order number inside
I highly recommend using a tracked service through any provider, simply for peace of mind and to ensure your garments can be followed safely on their journey.
Please share the tracking number with me once your parcel has been posted so we can both keep an eye on its progress.
Turnaround times begin from the moment your order is ready to begin, not from the day you first contact me or send garments.
Most bespoke orders are completed within 3–6 weeks, but during busy periods this may extend to 6–12 weeks.
If you have a specific date in mind, please let me know early so I can advise honestly.
Most woven, non‑stretch fabrics work beautifully.
Jersey, knitwear, and delicate fabrics may need extra care.
If I have any concerns, I will always discuss them with you before I begin.
Every keepsake I make is designed around your garments, your story, and my own making style.
I don’t copy another maker’s work — your keepsake will always be uniquely yours, shaped by the textures and details of the clothing you send.
You’re very welcome to share photos of keepsakes you’ve seen elsewhere if there’s something you’re drawn to.
I use these gently, simply to understand your preferences, while still creating something original and true to Sew Precious.
This boundary matters to me.
Your keepsake will always be made with integrity, honesty, and respect for both your story and my craft.
There is no rush.
You can begin when it feels gentle, possible, or right.
Your memories will be held with care.