About Us
gather here is a fabric, yarn, and fibers store offering classes, an inspirational work space, and knowledgeable instructors. We aim to provide a creative, fun, inspiring environment for the maker in everyone.
We are Cambridge's first stitch lounge with machines, supplies, tables and most importantly, space, for the maker to create.
What's a stitch lounge you ask? Sewing lounges have been popping up all over the country (even the world!) and provide people with a space to make something without having to purchase expensive equipment or make room in their homes to craft. It's also a place where people can meet others who share a common interest (or two). It's a gathering space to come create, support, and learn from each other.
gather here also offers classes in sewing (beginner to advanced), knitting (beginner to intermediate), crochet, and hand embroidery. And there are plenty of workshops that cover the spectrum of DIY crafts like block printing, repurposing "stuff" and whatever else we/you/us wants to learn/do!
gather here has many people to thank for getting the concept off the ground but here's the core crew behind the stitch lounge.
Virginia B. Johnson began dreaming of gather here
in 2008, but was always very busy with her day-job, costume designing and supervising for the stage and screen. For her day-job, she has costumed students of the theatre as well as award-winning actors. Virginia has been sewing as long as she can remember having learned the art from her grandmother and mother. She taught costume design, construction, and fashion history at Tufts University for seven years and has continued teaching young adults how to make clothing and express their personal style. Virginia is a collector of vintage buttons and a clothes horse, she has too many not-yet-completed knitting projects that she stashes in baskets and bags all over her home, and she wishes she wasn't so square because she'd give more framed Subversive Stitch gifts to family members instead of just dreaming about doing it.
Joe Barillaro Joe is a scenic artist for the film and television industry as well as a fine artist in his spare time. He drew a really awesome picture of a dog in a graveyard for Halloween back in 2006 and it adorned the back of Noah's old school brick phone. It's one of Virginia's most treasured pieces of art. We knew from the get-go that Joe had to be a part of gather here. And we're so glad he thinks we're hip enough to associate with. Joe's based in Somerville and you may have seen some of his art around Greater Boston. To see more of Joe's work visit his website.
Noah Dubreuil is Virginia's partner in crime (not real crime, but you know, life). Noah is a props assistant and on-set dresser for film and television (he just started filming a little (big) feature film!). He's also a computer whiz and handles the finances. Noah spends his free time playing Angry Birds and learning to needle felt. Noah's Canadian.
Sammy Berna, Alisa Braithwaite, Mike Burke, Naomi Man in 't Veld, Danielle Shields, Maritza Soto and Sophie Ordway make up our crafty genius team. Each is versed in multiple crafts and are artists in their own right, we couldn't open our doors without these contemporary crafters! Sammy (aka the "child-whisperer" and our shop manager) is the funniest, craftiest person we've ever met. Did you see her Halloween costume? Plus she knits, sews and cross stitches! Alisa spends her days as a literature professor at a fancy Cambridge university but at night and during the weekend she is a crocheting fashionista. She teaches crochet and designs crochet patterns for us! Mike handcrafts our horn and antler buttons. He can also be found behind the register knitting baby booties or a "man-cowl". He's a gifted maker of fine wood and horn jewelry & housewares. Naomi is truly a triple threat. Hailing from the great country to the north, she knows so much it's dizzying. Plus she plays bike polo! Danielle is a knitting rockstar. She's been collaborating with Knit Collage these days and has recently been bitten by the sewing bug! The Ice Cream Dress she recently made for her daughter is ADORABLE! Maritza is our wicked awesome quilting and softie instructor. Mother of two, maker of all things and funny to boot, we're lucky to have her as part of the family. Definitely check out Maritza's website to see what incredible things she is making. Sophie is the newest member of the team, winning our hearts with her beautiful hand-knits. She is also interested in sewing sailor pants which we LOVE. And is an assistant sailing coach.
Maggie Brown is our wicked awesome Etsy shop photographer/listing person/rock star. She manages the packing and shipping so that we know you're receiving your awesome supplies as quickly as possible. She's a jane-of-all-trades, too. A little bit of knitting, a little bit of sewing. Maggie spends time behind the counter as well assisting customers with their project needs and is probably more enthusiastic than anyone's mother about their project! We're so happy she comes and spends the week with us a taking pictures and writing fun descriptions. Our Etsy shop success is all her!