Turning Memories Into Keepsakes: The Artist Who Creates Teddy Bears From Loved Ones’ Clothing

When bereaved families first hear about Michal Caspit-Bobrov’s initiative — commemorating loved ones by sewing teddy bears, dolls, or patchwork quilts from their clothing, many of them raise an eyebrow. What is the connection between a decorative object and a family member who was killed or died?

But as they begin to understand the idea, some families connect to it deeply — and even find comfort in it. That is also why many of them reach out to her to learn more.

“There are also families who don’t connect to it — and that’s completely fine,” Michal emphasizes.

A tangible keepsake

Michal explains that the project did not begin during the current war — but several years earlier.

“I come from the world of art and creativity,” she says. “I’ve always sewn quilts, pillows, decorative items and things like that. I also worked as an art and sewing teacher in schools and community centers. When COVID began, like many others, I lost my workplaces and needed to reinvent myself.”

While she was still unsure of her next step, someone contacted her with a request — to make a “memory bear.”

“At first I didn’t really understand what she meant. But after she sent me links to international websites, I saw that in many places this is actually very common — taking a garment, blanket, or piece of clothing belonging to a loved one, and turning it into a teddy bear or doll as a keepsake.

It’s important to clarify — the doll doesn’t wear the clothing. Rather, the doll itself is sewn from the clothing.”

Michal agreed to try — and the result was apparently very meaningful, because from that moment, more and more requests began to arrive.

“I suddenly found myself full of work,” she recalls. “And not all of it was related to tragic loss. Some were happy milestones people wanted to preserve.

For example — parents who asked me to sew a teddy bear from the baby clothes their child had outgrown, so they could keep them as a memory. A bride who asked me to make a doll from her wedding dress — not because anything happened to her, but simply to preserve it. Another time, a grandmother asked me to sew a teddy bear for her granddaughter, from the shirt she herself wore when she was that age.

Of course, there were also painful cases — when families wanted to commemorate someone who was no longer with them. Sometimes they also added meaningful personal items — like a watch he used, a book he loved, or a characteristic tie.”

Do people share their stories with you?

“Yes,” Michal says softly. “And that is the hardest part of this work.

Very often, people who come to me sit and cry. Each one shares whatever they feel able to share. Sadly, in recent years I’ve found myself hearing stories that are extremely difficult to absorb.”

Do the teddy bears or dolls really bring them strength?

“I don’t know if they give strength, but they definitely bring comfort. I think there is something deeply comforting about having a tangible object in the home — something you can hold, touch, and feel, that carries the presence of your loved one. Sometimes, it even retains their scent.

I’ve heard of children who sleep at night with the dolls I’ve sewn. Others place them on a shelf in a special spot. Some families prefer to commemorate through a decorative pillow or a quilt made from pieces of clothing.

I don’t claim to fully understand the psychological explanation behind it — but the reality is that many people find comfort in it, especially children, who often need something physical and concrete to hold onto.”

“I wanted to contribute something of my own”

During the current war, Michal felt a strong desire to contribute something meaningful to the families of those who were killed.

So she put out a public call — inviting bereaved families to bring her a garment or personal item belonging to their loved one, so that she could sew a teddy bear or keepsake item for them — free of charge.

“From that moment on, I began receiving many, many requests,” she says. “And I must admit, the pain is unbearable.

Some of the stories I already knew from the news. In many cases, these are parents who lost their young children — and that is the most devastating thing I can imagine.

Recently, a couple came to me whose children had been about to get married — but were murdered in the attack. They asked me to sew a teddy bear for each of them. I sewed — and I cried. I couldn’t stop thinking about them.

Just today, I finished sewing a doll from the uniform of a paramedic who was murdered while treating the wounded and saving lives. Her parents asked me to use her MDA uniform — and that is what I did.

The stories are powerful, but also heartbreaking. You cannot ignore the longing and the enormous loss these families carry. I am grateful that I have a way to help them — even if only a little — to bring some comfort into their lives.”

With so many tragic cases in this war — are you able to keep up?

“I really am receiving an enormous number of inquiries,” she says. “And yes — I am already full of work.

But I am absolutely willing to keep sewing for everyone, for as long as I am able to continue doing so.”