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It’s quite rare in life nowadays to only get one chance at something. There’s usually always a way to re-do things, or fix what went wrong and learn from mistakes. However when it comes to turning precious clothing into a Keepsake, there really is only one chance to get it right.
A Keepsake created from baby clothes should be something you'll cherish forever. But there's no getting away from the fact that in order to create a Keepsake, clothes have to be cut. Its pretty final. And so choosing who'll be snipping into your little ones tiny babygrows should be a decision you make wisely.
Sadly, I regularly receive messages from parents who, before they found Pretty Little Polka Dot, had sent their little ones’ clothes off somewhere to have a Keepsake made, but have been unhappy with what they received back. I've seen many baggy, sagging blankets which almost fall apart in my hands and that have been sewn together with no consideration for the items they've been made from.
These parents reach out to me in the hope I can take their item and transform it into one of the Keepsakes they see and love on my page. I have, and always will, continue to do my best to help these customers. But it’s a sad fact that rectifying a poorly made Keepsake will never truly result in the same Keepsake that I would originally have made for them. I often see clothes where logos have been sliced off and sadly no amount of unpicking and re-stitching will be able to restore them. I see clothes which have not been properly prepared, and are stretched and beyond salvageable. It’s just heartbreaking.
Before you choose
To make sure you end up with a beautifully made Keepsake, it’s important you choose your Keepsake maker wisely. Look carefully at their website and social media pages. Be sure to check out their reviews and study photos of their recently finished Keepsakes too. Are you seeing photos from the person who will actually be creating your Keepsake? Do you like the style of their Keepsakes? Do the finished Keepsakes look professional? Are the seams straight, neat and tidy? How do they layout the patches? The above factors will need to be consodered, taking into account things like your budget, timescales and the size of the Keepsake you'd like too.
Trust your instincts
This sounds a little cliche, but it’s guidance which has always helped me and seen me through a decision. You have to really trust the individual, or company that you are sending your baby’s clothes to, because, once they’ve been transformed into Keepsake, there’s no going back. Having a Keepsake created is special, and it deserves to feel that way. So, from the personal contact I have with each and every customer, to the little sneak peek photos I post along the way, I want my customers to know I'm here for them throughout the entire process. If you’re someone who wants to know the process, what to expect and like being kept up to date, then choose someone who offers that to you. To me, there's nothing worse than trusting someone with any kind of service, and not hearing anything for weeks. I feel especially strongly about this when it comes to those special baby outfits.
They’re not just clothes, they’re memories.
As I already mentioned in my Choosing baby clothes blog post, sorting through your little ones baby outfits can be an emotional process. But it should also be rewarding and exciting time too! That’s why it’s so important to be completely happy and confident in who you’re sending these precious things to.
So, whoever you choose to create your little ones Keepsake, just make sure it's a decision you've made carefully. Because, like creating the Keepsake itself, you'll only get one chance to get right.
Love, Hayley x