We are privileged to partner with incredible nonprofit organizations that are doing amazing work in the greater Puget Sound Area. Here are a few stories about collaborations with our Community Partners.
common threads project
With about 25% of King County’s population being refugees and immigrants, many women have endured gender-based violence. Common Threads provides support and materials to 8 Seattle-area organizations like Asian Counseling Referral Services and Refugees Northwest, engaging over 100 women in weekly sessions, with ongoing guidance from Common Threads Project faculty.
The Common Threads Project is an international nonprofit organization combines ancient sewing practices with modern trauma therapy. In this program, women who have experienced severe trauma create “story cloths” in supportive groups, alongside trauma-informed therapy. Groups of 12 to 15 women participate in a six-month treatment process.
Redesign Collective was invited to become the first materials partner in Seattle, meeting with Common Threads founders to understand the methodology and program needs. We were invited in April 2024 to attend the regional training to meet local nonprofits and better understand the communities they serve. With an understanding of how story cloths are sewn, we make curated donations from our inventory of textile samples, and source other materials like vintage thread, to ensure what is given is what is needed and useful.
Since April 2024 we have donated 52.85 lbs of reclaimed textiles and vintage sewing materials to Common Threads.
Do you believe in this work or have textiles that you’d like to contribute? Contact us to sponsor a materials donation event.
mother africa
Our partner Mother Africa in Kent, WA, serves refugee youth and their families. Their Resilient Elders Community Sewing Group helps refugee elders build social connections and access essential resources. In 2024, Redesign Collective joined this program, creating lesson plans and teaching sewing skills using textile samples. We’ve donated two sewing machines, 90 crochet and knitting tools, and 38 lbs of textiles to support 40 women each month.
During their Youth Summer Camp in August 2024, we led an all-day workshop for over 70 youth aged 6-17, teaching sewing and upcycling skills with reclaimed textiles. Even 4th grade boys enjoyed designing and sewing their own wallets!