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Renee Murray began sewing teddy bears as a hobby during the pandemic. (Credit: Tara Smith)

Over the course of a long career in the fashion industry, Renee Murray became hyper aware of the waste created in the design process.

As projects wrapped, she had her pick at “bolt ends,” the last remaining textiles on a roll that all too often end up in a landfill. 

“There was always extra fabric around that they’d be throwing out,” the now full-time Orient resident said in a recent interview, explaining that she’d collect unused scraps to store away for a future project.

All of the fabric she amassed came in handy in early 2020, as mask mandates went into effect and, unable to get your hands on a surgical or N-95 mask, many people began sewing their own.

“When COVID-19 hit, we came out here to our summer home and I started sewing again like crazy,” she said.

When she needed a break from sewing masks, Murray began experimenting with hand-sewn dolls given away as gifts and now teddy bears, a pandemic pastime that’s turned into her new business, North Fork Teddy Bears.

“Everyone loves a teddy bear,” she said. “They put a smile on my face.”

The lovingly handmade, one-of-a-kind plush bears begin with a pattern developed by Murray.

Each bear is cut, sewn and stuffed by hand using faux Sherpa fur and a hypoallergenic polyester filling. Then, Murray embroiders each bear’s nose and eyes. “That’s when he comes to life,” she said.

She currently offers a line of “Hometown bears” decked out in North Fork attire and custom t-shirts, Valentine’s Day, get-well-soon, birthday, baby and wedding-themed teddies and recently began sewing a line of patchwork bears. You can even work directly with Murray to customize your own bear.

Murray, 50, has been sewing since she was eight years old, taught by her mother and grandmother growing up in Boston. From little crafts to prom gowns, she went on to study fashion design and eventually manage the technical fitting process for brands like Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, Talbots and The Gap. 

“I’ve been really lucky because I’ve been able to do exactly what I loved every single day,” she said.

The new business and permanent move to the North Fork mark a chapter for Murray and her husband that can be best summed up in the tagline for her bears: Roaming Wild and Free since 2021.

“Part of me feels like I am, since I’m not in corporate America anymore,” she said with a laugh. “I’m just having fun with it.”

North Fork Teddy Bears are available in her online shop and can also be found at the Beacheeky boutique in Einstein Square.

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