Ambatana Threads

Ambatana Threads is a local handmade clothing and accessory business designed to utilize the business skills and creative ideas of refugee women--whether in finance, clothing design and construction, communication, etc.

For me, designing and creating skirts, handbags, and other garments and accessories is a creative outlet. I was introduced to the art of sewing at an early age during hours spent observing and learning from my grandmothers. Yet it wasn’t until my college years that sewing became a hobby. My love for sewing evolved further in my treks to the third world—Haiti and Ethiopia—where I encountered skilled, creative women who opened my eyes to another level of design and craftsmanship, and gave me a deeper appreciation for the process. At various points in my life, women have inspired and encouraged me to seek mastery of this art. I first began making clothes for my niece and soon discovered a talent for sewing without the use of a pattern. Having the flexibility to adjust or change the garment or accessory at any time throughout the construction process is what makes sewing truly enjoyable. Ambatana Threads offers an array of products including skirts for all ages, handbags and wallets, hair accessories, pants and shorts for boys, and skirts for dolls. Each garment or accessory is finished uniquely with patches, pockets and buttons.