Old School Uniforms Become Teddy Bears
Tuesday, October 13, 2026179 words3 minutes403 reads
Siti Nur’ain Awari, a mother of four in Singapore, turns children's old clothes into stuffed animals and quilts. She began with pieces from her own family. Three older children received bears made from clothes they had worn when they were younger; her youngest received a quilt. These objects kept fabric close instead of leaving it in storage.
Her work became a home business called Patchwork Handmade Keepsakes. Many families now send her baby clothes and school uniforms. She cuts, arranges and sews the pieces into new objects. School uniform bears are her most popular product. Parents often order them to mark a child's graduation or another important school moment. The bear holds a memory without keeping every item of clothing.
An ordinary stuffed bear usually needs nine to 12 pieces of clothing. A school bear can use just one or two uniform sets. A quilt needs more pieces, depending on its size. Siti has transformed thousands of children's garments for other families, according to CNA. The clothes are reused, and their personal meaning is carried into a new form.
