We are The Sewing Cooperative, an organization that creates economic opportunities for refugee tailors in Rome, through custom, made to measure, hand made products. This experience directly supports the tailors, and seeks to brings their skills to the broader community. My name is Lydia, and I am the founder and organizer. Originally from Ohio, I worked for ten years as a dressmaker for the NYC Ballet, Broadway, and NYU's Tisch School for the Arts. I recently relocated to Rome as a Fulbright Scholar to collaborate alongside and research the work integration of refugees in creative fields.