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WIRRAL LIFE MEET JAYNE DIXON,
FOUNDER OF MEMORIES TO TREASURE
Tell us about yourself.
I have always loved being creative and for as long as I can remember
spent many hours sewing. Around the age of 15, I used to enjoy making
clothes, bags, jackets etc for all my friends and my sewing teacher used
to let me sneak into the sewing room at lunch and break times to use
the machines. When the time came to decide on my options for my
GCSE's I was encouraged to take the route of office practice as my
chosen subjects (I can still hear the words "you will always get a job in
an office") and with that I had to drop my sewing lessons as I couldn't do
both. Ten years after leaving school and two office jobs later I realised
this work just wasn't for me. I started making aerobic and gymwear
in my dining room for my friend who was an aerobics instructor, just
as the boom started in the early 90's. Everyone wanted trendy fitness
wear and so I left my 'office job' and in 1993 opened Zigzag clothing.
After approximately 5 years I then moved into bespoke dancewear
which included ballroom dresses and freestyle disco suits, changing
the shop name to Heavenly bodies. I loved making these costumes,
I became best friends with my employee Karen and we had the best
fun with everything that sparkled. In 2010 I gave up sewing and went
to work in the fundraising department at Claire House Children's
Hospice. A far cry from my sewing machine but it was a refreshing
change for me, I met some fabulous work colleagues and families that
are still friends today.
After 3 years, I left Claire House and took some time out. At that point
I never thought for a minute my path would lead me to where I am
today, if I've got one regret it is that I didn't listen to my gut instinct
at school and carry on with my passion for sewing, but since leaving
at 16, even though it wasn't what I was doing for work, I carried on
making my own clothes and taught myself 'how to sew' thanks to
trial and error, the internet and plenty of practice, which proves that
anything is possible.
How did Memories to Treasure start?
It all started when I lost my (step) dad unexpectedly. It totally
devastated our family as he was so loved by everyone. He met my
Mum when I was about 9 so he had been a huge part of my life for a
long time. My mum was in a dilemma as to what to do with his clothes,
so I made cushions for all the family from his jumpers then set to work
creating a teddy bear pattern as he had so many beautiful shirts that
Mum couldn't part with, and so, Christmas 2016 the first bears were
born from his shirts.
What makes your bears unique?
I pride myself on attention to detail. I have never stopped tweaking
my patterns. I try and come up with new and inventive ideas wherever
possible. The finish on my bears also has to be perfect, I have remade a
head 6 times before now (I am a bit of a perfectionist) and I take a lot
of time working out exactly where the pattern pieces should be placed
on a garment as it really impacts on the look of the finished bear.
Is most of your work through bereavement?
Yes, approximately 85% is through lost loved ones, it is so sad
sometimes, each loss is as unique as the keepsakes created, everyone
has their own story and I can totally empathise, not only did I lose my
dad but 18 month later my lovely mum also passed away unexpectedly,
totally devastating our family once again. The other 15% is made
up of lots of lovely ways to preserve a memory, babies first clothes,
christening presents, bears made from mums wedding dress for their
children to cherish, school uniforms etc. The possibilities are endless.
How long does each bear take to create?
From cutting out the linings to all the little finishing touches its
approximately 4.5/5 hours. One thing I will not do is cut corners, as I
mentioned the finish is paramount. There is quite a lot of hand sewing
which takes a good chunk of the time.
How many garments do you need for a bear?
Usually it is good to have 1 item per bear although this isn't always
possible. I can get 2 bears from a man’s long-sleeved shirt. Often
customers will give me an item for the main body of the bear and a
second item to use as the contrast for paw pads, ears or tummy.
How far have your teddies travelled. Are you just UK based?
I have orders from all over the UK but I also have teddies in America,
Spain, New Zealand, Australia and now Canada.
What is your feedback from customers?
One of the best parts of my job (if you can call it that, its more of a
passion really) is the delivery of the keepsake/s. As you can imagine it
can be difficult for some people to part with garments from their loved
ones, I try and make the process as nice as possible. I feel honoured
they put their trust in me. When they receive their keepsakes, it
changes from sad tears to happy ones usually, everyone says because
they have something tangible to hold it gives an overwhelming sense
of happiness.
To contact Memories to Treasure, visit www.m2tkeepsakes or
call 07931 696524.
10 wirrallife.com