The Collective Thread

01/28/2025

Thank you for an amazing journey across the globe! Please contact Reid Van Marel for your future product needs.

To Donors: thank you! We are in the process of sending out tax receipts for 2024. If you do not receive yours within the week please contact Terri : [email protected].

01/10/2025

The Collective Thread is Closing - https://mailchi.mp/thecollectivethread/the-collective-thread-is-closing-10975080

09/08/2024

Join us for deals & steals! We are cleaning house! Getting ready for the re-launch of our industrial sewing & design academy, everything must go. Be the first in line to purchase a sewing machine, fabric, and much more! If you want to beat the crowds, stay tuned for a special paid sneak peek option. Details to come!

It’s all for a good cause , proceeds will help us with new supplies for students!

07/19/2024

Photo: Samuel gets married!
The Story of Samuel and The Collective Thread
Every once in a while, you meet those special people; individuals who, no matter the distance or time, stay with you. Samuel, a young man from a small village named Hossanna in Ethiopia, is one of those remarkable individuals. This chance meeting on a dusty African road changed my life and profoundly impacted theirs.

Samuel, the oldest of five children (with one cousin living with them), lived in a strong, loving home. Despite their close-knit family, they struggled with poverty due to circumstances beyond their control. However, their faithful parents were dedicated to ensuring their children received an education and learned to speak English. This commitment to education allowed us to communicate and stay connected through the years.

A Journey of Shared Experiences
During our visits, we explored Samuel’s father’s remote childhood home, a beautiful village in the highlands. We brought gifts for the children, taught at their school, and introduced American kids, including my own, to a new culture. These interactions created lasting bonds and unforgettable memories. Samuel experienced his first airplane ride, and his sister enjoyed her first shower with indoor plumbing in our hotel. They traveled to parts of Ethiopia they had never seen and received the education they deserved.

Growing Together
As Samuel grew older, he served as our interpreter and protector, guiding us through cultural nuances we did not understand. The kids grew up, attended university, and now have jobs. I am so thankful our organization met the Ermias children on that dusty street.

The Collective Thread: A Legacy of Service
The history of The Collective is rich in service. We haven’t always achieved every goal, but along our journey, we know we made a difference. Now, as we look forward, we are excited to renew our commitment to impacting lives. Stay tuned for more about this in the coming weeks and months. We are eager to share more stories like Samuel’s and continue our mission of service and connection.

06/04/2024

Come on in, and shop the perfect jogger. Our founder seen, wearing the official first prototype—- she knows the challenge of finding basic pieces that round out our wardrobe. Pieces like these become staple pieces we turn to again & again for various occasions , dress up or down . You can also check out our website for purchase. In our bio $57!

05/14/2024

Meet , our amazing in-house designer and longtime collaborator at The Collective Thread! 🌟

Paulie’s passion for design and his dedication to our work has been unmatched since day one. Catch him at our Open House during ’ City Social, happening this Friday from 5:00-9:00PM, where he’ll be hosting a sample sale you won’t want to miss! 🛍

Paulie also serves on our Board of Directors, bringing over 20 years of invaluable experience in the fashion industry. From production to design, his perspective is truly unique. Together, we’ve also brought to life the fabulous collection, recently showcased at our annual Fashion Show Fundraiser.

Join us in celebrating Paulie’s talent and our incredible partnership! 🎉

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05/08/2024

Exciting news: The Collective Thread now offers alterations! 🧵

This service is another way for us to carry out our mission and empower women. From hemming those jeans to taking in that dress, our expert sewers can complete clothing alterations with a quick turn around time and at affordable rates.

Whether it’s a simple tweak or a complete revamp, we’ve got your alterations covered! Walk-ins are welcome or give us a call at (314) 536-3112 to let us know you’re coming. 🪡
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05/01/2024

We’re so excited to feature our fearless leader, Terri Stipanovich, as our first !

​​Terri is the driving force behind The Collective Thread, with a profound mission to empower women through fashion. As a dedicated mother of six and loving wife to Steve, Terri brings a unique blend of compassion and entrepreneurial spirit to her role.

Terri’s journey to serving others began in nonprofit work in East Africa. Spending a significant portion of her early career in the region, she undertook over 35 trips, spearheading initiatives aimed at fostering independent living for women. Notably, she initiated a groundbreaking fashion and sewing program that uplifted countless lives.

Inspired by the success of her endeavors abroad, Terri’s team in the USA mirrored her efforts by launching a similar program focused on aiding refugee women. These programs encompassed comprehensive training in sewing, pattern making, business management, and language skills, empowering women to thrive in their newfound independence.

At TCT, Terri’s leadership is marked by her unwavering dedication to her team. Her favorite aspect of the job is nurturing talent and fostering an environment where individuals can realize their full potential. Many members of her team have been with her for over five years, a testament to her exceptional leadership and mentorship.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Terri finds joy in overcoming challenges, continually learning, and indulging in her passions for reading, dancing, and travel. Her commitment to empowering others and her relentless pursuit of excellence make her an invaluable asset to TCT and the community at large.
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04/25/2024

The Collective Thread cannot wait for and ’s City Social on Friday, May 17th at 5PM! 👏 This FREE event is on our block and is designed for St. Louisans to kick back, relax, and enjoy live music Downtown with friends, neighbors, and colleagues. 🎶

Our doors will be OPEN and we will be featuring a men’s wear sample sale, and everything must go. Also- we will have some dips and margaritas by . 🌮

📸 by .munguia, from
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04/23/2024

Getting the fit right for our customers is crucial to the process of . The Collective Thread’s , , is beginning 3 new projects currently, and meeting the challenge of starting a pattern from scratch. 🪡

She then makes a and passes it on to our and then they pass it on to our , who decide what finishes to use to get the best fit and drape for the garment. Once the first proto sample is made we bring in a fit model to see the result of our finished work.

Our expert sample sewers may use a variety of seams and finishes to get the best drape and fit.

One detail used to achieve the right fit might be . Darts are stitching details used to shape fabric and create a fitted silhouette. Garments such as dresses, skirts, and pants commonly use darts. Designers can choose between tapered or straight darts, and the placement and size of these darts are crucial for achieving the desired fit. 🧵
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04/21/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/GVvg7ZkBAY7ZACgb/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Research shows that immigration greatly benefits the United States.

04/18/2024

Check out our brand new sign on !

St. Louis boasts a vibrant history in the , ranking second only to New York in from the late 1800s to the early 1940s. The Collective Thread is proud to carry on the legacy of the historic and bring to downtown St. Louis.
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