Sewlshine | FAQ | Sewlshine | Handmade Keepsakes & Accessories

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I send you my loved one's clothing?

After you place your order, we will email you full instructions on where to ship your loved one's clothing. We ask that you ship with USPS as we have a P.O. Box where we receive all of our shipments. We highly recommend selecting an option that allows you to add insurance to your package and provides you with a tracking number. Shipping costs are additional and is not included in the purchase price. Cost will depend on three factors: the size of your package, how much it weighs, and how far away our zones are. Consult your carrier for more specific details and pricing information.

How is my loved one's item stored once it arrives?

Tiny Blooms Design is a smoke-free home based business with a dedicated sewing studio. Once your items arrive here, they will be labeled with your order details and stored in a plastic storage container large enough to fit your items without damaging them. The items will remain in the container when not being used to create your keepsake. Please note, the home does house cats, but they are not around the project area. However, out of an abundance of caution, those with extreme allergies to cats are advised not to order.

Do you wash any of the fabric items I send you?

Sewlshine does not wash any clothing or fabric items we receive to make keepsakes with. We require that all items sent to us be cleaned before shipping. For the safety of all, we do not accept any clothing with bodily fluids or other biohazardous materials on them. During the construction process, we do lightly iron fabric that is iron-safe to remove any wrinkles and attach the stabilizer, but that is all the special treatment that we do.

How do I place my order?

To place an order, visit our Products page, select a the type of keepsake you would like, then use the form on our Contact Us page to get the order started. We will reach out to you for a complimentary consultation to discuss your keepsake details then provide you with a quotation with lead time to complete your project. We will set up a custom listing in our Etsy shop for you to make your purchase. After you complete your purchase, you will receive an order confirmation which will include instructions on how to ship your items to us. We understand that sending your loved one's items off can be difficult and we want to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.

How long does it take you to make my keepsake?

Each order is processed one at a time on a first come, first served basis. While we strive to keep lead times to a minimum, most standard orders typically take 4-8 weeks to complete after receipt of your clothing. We take our time when planning your keepsake and handle the items with great care. We take pride in the craftsmanship and respectfully work with your loved one's belongings, therefore we require several weeks to complete your keepsake. During busier times of the year, or if you have a larger or more detailed order, this estimate may change. We will always provide you with a current time frame when we receive your order.

If I am ordering a memory pet, how do I send you my pet's information?

After we receive your order, you will be emailed a short form to fill out providing a brief bio of your pet. We also request that a few high quality, clear photos of your pet be included with the form. We highly suggest sending a photo of the pet's face, both sides of the body, and from behind and their belly (if available) so we can get a clear understanding of the pet's markings and coloring. If you do not have specific photos of all areas, please include a brief description of the area(s) for us to work from.

I want to order a wallet, but I want to customize it. How do I order that?

To order a custom item, please select the Custom Order Consultation so we can touch base with you to discuss what you are wanting. Once we have had a consultation, we will post a custom listing in our Etsy shop and provide you with with the estimated turnaround time. After payment and your clothing have been received, we will begin working on your order.

I don't need a memorial keepsake. Can I still buy items from your shop?

Absolutely! We will have a limited amount of selected items that are pre-made and those will be available to purchase at any time in our shop. These items will be clearly marked with "pre-made" or "ready to ship" so you can find them easily. You can also order a non-memorial commissioned keepsake that is made just for you by requesting a Custom Order Consultation to begin the process. It works the same way as a memorial item does, but is made from procured commercial or custom designed fabric instead of a loved one's clothing.

I want to order a toy for a young child. Are these keepsakes baby/child safe?

Our keepsakes are not toys and are not intended for children. Supervision is strongly recommended due to the small parts incorporated in the keepsakes as they may pose a choking hazard. Please note, by ordering a Sewlshine keepsake from Tiny Blooms Design, you are acknowledging this notice. A formal notice is also included with every order. Please purchase and enjoy your keepsake responsibly.

What kind of fabrics or clothing work best?

We can work with a variety of fabric types such as cotton, polyester, canvas, knit, flannel, faux fur, denim, etc. We do highly encourage you to not send anything too silky or slippery as it is very difficult to work with to ensure a quality keepsake. We are happy to discuss your items prior to ordering, so if you have any questions or concerns, please email us at sewlshine@tinybloomsdesign.com.

How many keepsakes can you make from one shirt?

This depends on the type of keepsake you want and the size of the shirt provided. We recommend adult size medium and larger to do an average memory bear, for example. If the clothing you have is smaller or has a pattern, multiple items may be required, or we can use coordinating accent fabric from our own stock to complete your keepsake. These details will be discussed prior to you sending in your clothing. You are welcome to send pants, jackets, shorts, etc., but just know we will require multiple articles of clothing to complete your keepsake.

I want a memory bear, but I do not have any clothes from my loved one. How do I order a bear?

We are happy to work with you to create a special memory bear, pet or keepsake even if you have no clothing or fabric items from you loved one. We stock a variety of commercial fabric options to choose from. Start by requesting a Custom Order Consultation and we will contact you to discuss your needs and create a custom keepsake order for you. After the consultation, we will provide the cost and turnaround time to you and add a custom listing for you in our Etsy shop for you to make your purchase. Once payment is received, we will begin your order.

Do you have add-on options for keepsakes?

Yes! We offer some pre-made add-ons and upgrades, and we are always happy to discuss custom add-ons or upgrades for your keepsake. Just let us know what you are thinking and we can see what we can do to make it work! All add-ons or upgrades requested and made after the initial purchase has been made will incur an additional fee. A new quote will be provided outlining any changes and the cost for each add-on and a new custom listing will be uploaded to our Etsy shop for you to complete the purchase. Nothing is ever added on or upgraded without receipt of your consent to the change in price.

Who will be working on my order?

Tiny Blooms Design's owner will be the person working with you from start to finish. With over 40 years of sewing and crafting experience, you can rest assured that your items will be respectfully handled and your keepsake planned out and constructed with care and compassion. We work on one project at a time, allowing you the peace of mind that your items are in trusted hands.

What do you do with the leftover fabric?

We are happy to return the fabric remnants back to you when we ship your completed keepsake to you. When you check out from our Etsy store, there will be an option for you to select how you want us to handle your remnants. If you don't wish to have them returned, we are happy to keep it and can even use it to help create a memorial keepsake for others who don't have any clothing items of their own. The choice is yours!

What does Tiny Blooms in your name stand for?

Tiny Blooms in our name refers to our company name Tiny Blooms Design. Sewlshine is the name of Tiny Blooms Design's product line of sewn keepsakes and accessories. Our regular Tiny Blooms Design product line focuses on digital art and graphic design products and you can visit our main company page by clicking here.

Are your keepsakes made by machine or by hand?

We use both a domestic sewing machine and hand stitching to complete our keepsakes and accessories. The majority of the work is done on the sewing machine for the main construction and the added external details and the closing up of the bear/pet is done by hand. This does give the keepsakes a hand-crafted appearance, so small inconsistencies may be visible. However, these do not impact the quality, function, or overall look of the keepsake and are to be expected from handmade items and are not flaws or mistakes. Our priority is crafting quality keepsakes that will last when used, cared for and handled properly.