Ideas for passing on my late mum's handmade clothes

[MetteBiddler]

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for what I can do with some dresses, shirts, skirts, jackets and jumpsuits made by my lovely mum, who died two years ago. She'd sewn all her life, she made my wedding dress and so many gorgeous pieces for me and for herself.
I recognise it's an emotional response, but am really struggling to find what feels like the right way to 'let go' of them.
They don't fit me (I'm taller than mum was so they can't be adapted for me), I've enquired at charity shops but they won't take them as they don't meet safety standards (labelling etc), and I don't want to put them in a recycling bin, it just feels like such a waste of her time and talent.
I know she'd be really happy for them to go to someone to either adapt and wear, or to deconstruct and turn into something else fabulous, or to be used to help people learning to sew - does anyone know anywhere like this that I can contact?
Thanks for any ideas 🙂

My mum was south Manchester based. Did loads of sewing too and passed on to me ( I am not as good and have no time!) oh the hours spent in Leon's fabric superstore. She died of pancreatic cancer 10 years ago. Feels like a minute. I gave her fabric to the local charity shops and lots of her clothes too. They did take handmade then - and I have bought handmade clothes from charity shops so must be a new thing. When I was you could take them to sell in Afflecks palace in Manchester town centre.
If you want to know they will be loved I guess vinted may the way to go and the local am dram. I think sale have a thriving group.
Good luck and sending love. Your mum sounds as fabulous as mine! X

When I was younger you could take them to Afflecks palace. Sorry typo!

I make Memory Bears (and other animals - I have made a flamingo!) They bring huge comfort and are a good way for many generations to keep part of their relative with them.

So sorry to hear of the loss of your lovely mum. I lost mine nearly twenty years ago, but still miss her. She was another who sewed (beautifully) all her life, teaching tailoring and dressmaking to City & Guilds level, so I know the sort of task you’re dealing with. It’s hard. Letting go of so many memories, you want to try and pass them on to someone who will appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that’s gone into them.

If your mum’s clothes are “of their time”, it might be worth getting in touch with History Wardrobe - they take everyday clothes to illustrate presentations with. They have a website and Facebook page if you want to know more about them. They also took a lot of my mum’s text books and sewing patterns too.

I like the memory bear or quilt idea too - I wish I’d done something like that with some of my mum’s things. I did keep one of her jumpers though, safely sealed in a plastic bag….it still smells of her perfume.

@Nodwyddaedafedd spent many a happy day in Afflecks in the 90s! Now I go with my sons when we have a day out in Manchester. It hasn't changed that much has it?
I'm sorry for the loss of your mum too, am glad you were able to pass on some of her sewing stuff and clothes to good causes.

It's such a cute idea! I know how much work goes into them and how much joy and comfort they bring 😍

@abbey44 you're absolutely right, it's knowing how many hours she spent creating some gorgeous outfits, and the joy she got from sewing, it's hard just to pass the clothes on - our mums were the original slow fashion trailblazers!
Mum's stuff is mostly contemporary (ish!) but I'll definitely take a look at History Wardrobe - thanks for the tip.

Perhaps some of them could be framed, either in normal frames if the fabric is thin or in shadow boxes

@APatternGrammar this is a gorgeous idea! I've been planning to do this with a kimono I was gifted in Japan about 20 years ago but am not confident to do it well myself, need to find a clever crafter to help me out.

I would try a few other charity shops or Vinted, make sure to say they are vintage quality handmade and give measurements. Also you may have a clothing bank/project near you that distribute clothes for free.

I think the charity shop are being a bit ridiculous, it's not as if they are kids nightwear that has to be fireproof. I would like to think my many handmade items would be re-used as clothes before cutting up for memory bears.

Sorry for your loss @MetteBiddler anniversary time can be so difficult my mum was a wonderful seamstress unfortunately I did not inherit that gene she did teach me to wallpaper & paint though so not all was lost, another suggestion if you have any vintage clothes shops within reasonable reach they could be worth trying.

I’ve seen a kimono in someone’s house in the stairwell, they had put up a very plain black curtain pole through the sleeves

Go to a vintage clothing shop or boutique. The sort that sells clothes from 1920s to 1990s. They will take homemade pieces as that’s what women did even into the 1980s- they sewed their own clothes. You’d be suprised what they can see for.