Threaded Together

Inspiring creativity and connection through textile arts programs that partner with participants to nurture inclusive communities, cultivate agency, and develop employment pathways for people who have faced personal challenges and institutional injustices.

Threaded Together is a community driven non-profit for learning, healing and connection through the vehicle of textile arts. We believe that sewing can change the world and we've seen just how impactful arts programs are in the four years that we have been in operation.

At our shop in Flagstaff, Arizona, kids, teens and adults come together to learn and expand their skill sets to create textile projects, build community, and share the importance of making art. We offer a variety of classes on a sliding scale from beginning knitting to quilt making. We administer free art programs for our partner nonprofit organizations and at events in the community. We host weekly open studio hours for people at any skill level. And we teach the Sewing and Textile Employment Pathway (STEP) program to prepare low-income individuals to enter the sewing industry.

Through our work, we encourage teenagers in the shelter system to find their confidence by moving them from feeling daunted to competent on the sewing machine. We inspire people to defy preconceived notions or stereotypes about textile art and discover their passion in craft. We spread joy through our community art installments, highlighting the work of our community members and youth artists. At our variety of programs, workshops, community events, and open-studio hours, we share the power of textile arts with everyone who joins us on our mission.

A financial gift to Threaded Together - the only textile art nonprofit in Coconino County - promotes the future of accessible and quality arts programming for all. Whether it's the abandoning of fast fashion cycles, a community activity to combat societal loneliness, or the mental health benefits of working creative muscles, we know that sewing can and will help change the world. Will you join us?

Testimonials

Claire, a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, and Samara, 14, are regular attendees for our weekly open, creative studio program Create + Connect. They've built their skills through making stuffed animals, zipper pouches, and hats. Recently Samara tackled making a blazer from a vintage pattern, which was a challenge, and she finished it with pride, saying, "I was shocked, but happy."

"I can't think of another space where there is a creative, facilitated activity that we could all do together," Claire said. "We're really fortunate to have this here in Flagstaff."

When asking one of our STEP apprentices what they were enjoying most about the program, they replied "The final results of my work, especially after a new project. I enjoy the support after a new project. I enjoy the support from everyone. Knowing that every mistake you make in sewing can be fixed." She also reported confidence in her professional sewing skills after just three months.

One of our Sewing Squad participants told us, "My favorite thing about sewing squad was all you guys taught me about sewing!" They also reported after one sewing squad session that sewing was a major source of creative fulfillment for them."