Christmas Keepsakes Made From Clothing
- Katie Done
- Jan 12
- 6 min read
The most special time of year deserves a keepsake all of its own. Christmas is full of traditions, tiny moments and memories that pass far too quickly – and my Christmas keepsakes made from clothing are designed to help you hold on to them for years to come.
These keepsakes are perfect for a baby’s first Christmas, children who seem to grow out of festive pyjamas overnight, or families who want to turn much-loved Christmas outfits into something meaningful and long-lasting. They also make thoughtful memory keepsakes for parents and grandparents, and can be a gentle way to remember someone special at Christmas.
I’m based in Lincolnshire, UK, and create each keepsake by hand using your own clothing. I post keepsakes all over the UK, so you don’t need to be local to order (delivery to Northern Ireland is currently unavailable).
I offer a wide range of Christmas keepsakes, from stockings and sacks to quilts, cushions and cards. The keepsakes below are some of my most popular options, but I’m not limited to these. If you have something specific in mind, I’m always happy to create something bespoke for you.
Using Christmas Items Across Multiple Keepsakes
One important thing to know is that Christmas doesn’t have to be a standalone keepsake. I can often use items across multiple pieces, so if you’d like a nod to Christmas within a larger quilt or another keepsake, just let me know which items you’d like included.
If you think you may want a larger keepsake made in the future, I can also return any leftover fabrics with your Christmas keepsake. You can then send them back to me when you’re ready to have them incorporated into a quilt later on.
I’ll always give you a guide on the number of items needed for each keepsake, but I do my best to work around what you have wherever possible.
Christmas Stockings
By far my most popular Christmas keepsake is my handmade Christmas stockings made from clothing.
Each stocking is double sided, with both sides pieced from your Christmas items and quilted with quality wadding to give them a lovely, luxurious feel. Although they work beautifully with festive clothing, I’ve also made stockings using non-Christmas items, which can be a lovely way to include everyday memories too.
The stockings are lined with 100% cotton, which we’ll choose together once the patchwork has been completed. I have a wide range of Christmas and plain fabrics available.
To make them even more special, I can now personalise stockings with names. In most cases, a plain cotton cuff from my own fabric stock works best for personalisation, as it allows the name to really stand out and gives me enough fabric to work with.
Items needed: 8–12
Size: 50cm x 35cm
Christmas Sacks
Christmas stockings look beautiful hanging on the fireplace, but let’s be honest – they’re not always the most practical size for all those gifts.
In our family, Santa brings a stocking, and gifts from us go into Christmas sacks. I’ve used items from both of our boys across their stockings and sacks, which works really well.
My Christmas sacks made from clothing are pieced and quilted in the same way as my quilts, using quality wadding for strength, durability and a little extra luxury. Lining options are discussed once the patchwork is complete, with a wide range of 100% cotton plains and Christmas prints available.
I offer several sizes to suit your needs:
Small sack with 4" squares
Size: 14" x 21" (35cm x 53cm)
Items needed: 15+
Small sack with 5" squares
Size: 13.5" x 22.5" (34cm x 57cm)
Items needed: 12+
Large sack with 6" squares
Size: 22" x 33" (55cm x 83cm)
Items needed: 20+
Large sack with 5" squares
Size: 17.5" x 27" (45cm x 70cm)
Items needed: 20+
Extra large sack
Size: 33" x 40" (80cm x 100cm)
Items needed: 40+
Christmas Cushions
If you enjoy changing your décor with the seasons, a Christmas cushion made from clothing is a great option.
You can choose between a single-sided or double-sided cushion, and there are lots of ways I can personalise it to make it extra special. In many cases, I can make a cushion using leftover fabric from your other keepsakes, so it’s a lovely way to make the most of every item.
If you think you might like a cushion, let me know when you place your order. I can always confirm whether it’s possible once I start working on your keepsake, and you can add it on later.
Size: 45cm x 45cm
Items needed: 5–16
Christmas Quilts
For those who fully embrace Christmas and have collected plenty of festive clothing over the years, I also create Christmas quilts made from clothing.
These can be made in any of my quilt styles, from my original 6" patchwork quilts to more varied, mosaic-style layouts. I’ve even made quilts where the patches resemble wrapped presents.
If you love the idea but don’t think you have enough Christmas items, you can always add in a few of your own fabrics. You’d be amazed how far a pair of adult Christmas pyjama bottoms can go.
Quilt sizes and item numbers vary depending on the style you choose, so feel free to drop me a message if you’d like some guidance.
Christmas Bunting
Christmas bunting is a lovely way to add a personal touch to your festive décor and works beautifully as a Christmas keepsake made from clothing.
Each flag is pieced using your Christmas items, making it ideal for displaying festive outfits, pyjamas or fabrics that hold special memories. Bunting works particularly well if you have a small number of items, or if you’d like a keepsake that can be reused year after year across fireplaces, staircases, doorways or shelves.
Decorative Hearts
My small decorative stuffed hearts made from clothing are a simple but very meaningful Christmas keepsake.
They can be made using just 1–8 items, making them ideal if you only have a small amount of fabric or a single special piece. The hearts can be displayed on door handles, hooks, shelves or even added to the Christmas tree, and they also make thoughtful gifts for parents and grandparents.
There is the option to add personalisation, such as a name or date, which makes them especially lovely for a baby’s first Christmas or as a memorial keepsake.
These hearts are also a great add-on to larger Christmas keepsakes and a lovely way to make use of leftover fabric.
Christmas Cards
It’s almost always possible to make Christmas cards from leftover clothing, no matter which keepsake style you choose, as they only require a tiny amount of fabric.
Imagine being so organised that your Christmas cards are already made when December comes around again. They’re a brilliant way to use every last scrap and add an extra personal touch to your festive post.
Christmas Ordering Deadlines
Because every keepsake is handmade and completely unique, I take a limited number of Christmas orders each year.
I usually close Christmas delivery in September or October to allow enough time to carefully create each keepsake and ensure everything is finished and delivered in plenty of time for December.
If you’re thinking about a Christmas keepsake, it’s always best to get in touch as early as possible. Once my Christmas order book is full, I’m unable to complete any more festive work until the following year.
Who Are Christmas Keepsakes Perfect For?
My Christmas keepsakes made from clothing are ideal for:
A baby’s first Christmas outfit or festive sleepsuits
Children’s Christmas pyjamas and jumpers
Creating heirloom stockings or sacks that can be reused every year
Parents or grandparents who want a meaningful, personalised Christmas keepsake
Families who want to start (or continue) a Christmas tradition
Remembering a loved one at Christmas using their clothing
Whether you have one special item or a whole collection of festive outfits, I’ll always do my best to work with what you have.
A Final Note
Christmas keepsakes are about more than just fabric – they’re about memories, traditions and the stories behind each piece of clothing. Whether you choose a stocking, sack, quilt, cushion or card, your keepsake will be made with care and designed to be brought out year after year.
If you’re unsure which option would work best for your items, or you’d like to talk through an idea, you’re very welcome to get in touch. I’m always happy to help you choose a keepsake that feels just right for you and your family.
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