Broken Arrow Seamstress Makes Memorial Bears For Grieving Families

A Broken Arrow seamstress is using her talents to help others who have lost loved ones.

In a grieving journey of her own, Falyn Harris makes custom teddy bears from loved ones' clothing for those who are mourning. Harris works her sewing business out of her Broken Arrow home. Her business mission started with teddy bears made from shirts her grandpa used to wear.

Harris has been sewing her whole life. The 39-year-old recently stitched her passion to grief.

"Grief is so hard, and everybody grieves differently and so I thought maybe I could do something to help people cope with grief a little bit,” said Harris.

Using pieces of a loved one's shirt, thread by thread, she creates custom teddy bears to offer comfort through her business, Memorial Bears and Keepsakes by Fifi. Harris said it takes at least eight hours to make each bear, and she gets to know the person the bear honors.

"You hear the stories, and you see how they affect them, see how much they were loved and how much they loved their person,” said Harris.

This idea came after her grandpa, Papa Tom, died in 2021 from COVID-19 following a lung transplant. Harris said it was devastating for his wife and family members. So, for Christmas, Harris made 21 teddy bears for everyone still mourning, including her son.

"Everyone was so grateful and just loved them so much,” said Harris. “My aunt and grandma took their teddy bear out to dinner with them."

Harris had another surprise on Feb. 20. News On 6 joined her as she makes a delivery for one of her clients in Broken Arrow. The bear Harris delivered honors Julie Hooker's late husband, Patrick Hooker. The 40-year-old was also a father, a Tulsa Public Schools teacher, and an army veteran who served in Afghanistan.

Julie said Patrick took his own life last April, so she had Harris make a teddy out of Patrick's old army uniform,

"I wanted something that my late husband's parents could have and hold and have something to comfort them when they miss him,” said Julie.

The teddy bear now sits with an American flag and a photo of Patrick to remind loved ones of his memory.

“I really think about how he loved others and served others,” said Julie.

Simple stitches sewing sentimental value to a teddy bear. Harris also makes quilts and other bears from sentimental clothing. For more information on her pricing and how to order, visit her Facebook: Memorial Bears and Keepsakes by FiF