Two women crouching on the ground to measure a piece of fabric
Participants and instructors from the quilt program smiling at the camera

Quilt Project with the Lincoln Quilters Guild

In the spring of 2020, ECHO Collective was awarded a scholarship from the Lincoln Quilters Guild to unite refugee and immigrant seamstresses with local quiltmakers. This launched a beautiful partnership between guild members and ECHO women. We are especially grateful for the guidance and mentorship of these volunteer instructors: Vicky Skuodas, Jerry Lee Jensen, and Pam Wakeman.

Bead Weaving Project

In 2021, we launched a bead weaving class in partnership with the Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Special thanks go to Dr. Claire Nicholas for her role in the creation of this program and Venn Jemkur for her weaving expertise and continued instruction. We held Mother & Daughter Beading circles in the summers of 2022 and 2023.

Women and children working together to make beaded bracelets

Afghan Maker Circle

Our Afghan Maker Circle began in April 2022 through a partnership with the Asian Community & Cultural Center and support from the Stand Together Foundation and the Hello Neighbor Network. We were thrilled to work with Sakeena Nazari, employee of the Asian Center and 2020 graduate of our Refinery program. The Maker Circle provided Afghan women a safe and nurturing space to use their existing skills to create items for their new homes in Lincoln. We provided materials and equipment to sew, embroider, weave, knit, crochet, and more. This program finished in May 2023.