Gather Here is much more than a typical fabric shop, it's a vibrant community hub for crafters in Cambridge. True to its name, the store fosters a warm, inclusive environment where people can gather to create. They stock an impressive range of high-quality fabrics and supplies from famous brands for sewing, knitting, embroidery, and other fiber arts. Beyond just selling materials, their real standout feature is the fully-equipped studio space available for rent in the back. This area contains professional-grade machinery, like industrial sewing and embroidery machines, that most people don't have at home, allowing makers to tackle ambitious projects at very reasonable hourly rates. The staff are exceptionally knowledgeable and supportive, always willing to help beginners or offer advice to seasoned crafters. This community focus extends to their extensive schedule of workshops and classes for all skill levels, which aligns with their mission to be a welcoming space for everyone. Whether you need specific supplies, access to specialized equipment, or friendly guidance to start a new hobby, Gather Here is an invaluable and inspiring resource for the local creative community. read more

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The fabric was much too expensive. I won't go to gather here again. The sales person was nice. I bought flannel material. I think gather here should lower there prices on material. I know it's a rip of to shop at gather here in less a person is rich read more

With the closing of the Somerville branch of Sewfisticated I was in need of a new fabric store and discovered Gather Here a few weeks ago. This store is a crafter's little delight, with beautiful supplies and classes as the name implies. It also carries a few aisles of fabrics as well. The quality is very good however these definitely aren't discount prices. The prettier the patterns, the steeper it was, so I ended up with two solid colors instead for some clothing that had to be customized (I'm hoping for some comfort during possible discomfort). There was a wonderful variety of shades of the same color, from light to deeper tones, making matching pieces easier if you needed to do that. I chose some deeper blue -turquoise shades in the end and was very pleased with the selection. Overall a warm and inviting store with high "Gather Here" potential but if you are looking for bargain fabrics and larger quantities of materials, you may need to explore elsewhere. Still highly recommend this community treat, come when you have some time, it's easy to get lost here. read more

Wonderful selection of yarn, thread, materials, fabrics. Everyone who works there is very nice and approachable. Prices are affordable; you get what you pay for and sometimes it's worth it to go a step up and get that alpaca blend. Many different kits as well cute for gifts or to get a taste of a certain craft. I've walked through the fabric and been dying to take a sewing class, which brings me to my next point. I took off a star because it's probably easier to get Taylor swift tickets than it is to actually get into any of their classes especially when the schedule opens at 7am on a Saturday as it did this time around. Apparently schedule opens the 24th every other month for the next two; but I was shut out for the third time in a row. I wish they'd make more classes or make bigger class sizes but I'm not sure if space allows for that. Major bummer. read more

Lovely craft store, kind of a hybrid yarn and sewing shop, with a slight tilt to fabrics but the yarn selection is wonderfully curated. The only downside is that parking in this neighborhood is extremely difficult (basically all the side streets are resident permit only), even compared to other walkable parts of Cambridge, and it's not that easy to transit to. read more

cool store with a great great selection. I have had machines serviced here and attended classes, both group and individual. Frankly the classes were OK, but not great -- there was generic knowledge but not detailed 'expert' despite the prices charged read more

I can't comment on cost to yard as a fairly inexperienced sewist, but from a knitting perspective, they have the basics I'd expect, and a few extra nice or pretty extras. I usually have to restrain myself from buying all the delightful knicknacks, cute buttons, rainbow things, etc. etc. The staff has always been super friendly and helpful, even when clearly just starting on the job. There's maybe one spot for bike parking across the road/the next block over (an actual purpose built, or take your pick of a nearby tree/lamp post), so I'll keep coming back. (Getting there by bike is dodgy on account of not protected bike lanes and lots of construction, but that's not Gather Here's fault at all!) read more

It's not a good place for old people. The staff is very eager and proud of their skills. They ought to be. They are bringing back self-sufficiency But skills change with time. For an old dinosaur like me, who was trained very rigorously, I don't always do things their way. Like the old rule that the inside be as nice as the outside, I really don't need a lot of advice, but sometimes I do. Or the types of fabric I ask for. I grew up with genuine silk velvet at the dime store. And Viyella wool (OMG). I forget that it's not a good thing to ask for unusual fabrics. (I wish I knew why). I remember when I advanced to extra hard Vogue patterns. Their patterns are all for beginners, I didn't mean an insult when I asked for a shirt pattern with a facing. Well, anyway, sometimes I ask for things that the staff has never heard of. The response is invariably condescending. As if there is something wrong with not following the method they teach. Don't get me wrong, this is an exceptional place. And an amazing resource. And, I'm always excited to learn new things. But it's not a place for old ladies. Especially old ladies who sewed professionally. This is not a once off experience. It's the norm. I'm not a sweetie nor a dear. Nor am I senile because I make the mistake of asking for pinwale corduroy. But if you are under 30, please support this place. We need more like it. read more

I love love this store. The only downside is that the classes fill up sooo fast! I go here mainly for embroidery kits and omg they have such a fantastic selection of them. When they first opened at the old location and at this location they had a moderate selection of embroidery kits as well as iron on embroidery patterns but now it's just fantastic. I love cozy blue especially and have done many of their kits. They make great gifts, unstitched or stitched. I think a cool addition to their iron on patterns would be plain tea towels/napkins to stitch on. Or a class doing a tea towel or napkin border. Please keep doing intermediate/advanced embroidery and maybe consider a ribbon embroidery class!! read more

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continues to disappoint, staff is chronically not helpful overpriced fabric, refused to sell certain books yet have them on display

Gather Here is a phenomenon. They offer an unusually sophisticated selection of sewing and knitting supplies - harder and harder to find in an era of cheaply made, approaching on disposable clothing. The really distinguishing features are the classes, supported sessions for independent work, and the availability of well maintained, first rate machines. The atmosphere of learning, creativity and collaboration is not only practically useful, but heartwarming as well. read more

Due to Covid, last time I checked, you could not browse this store. Online orders and pick up only. That's a pity, because browsing this store is quite the experience. There's so many whimsical fabric prints, dreamy wool skeins softer than heaven, and other sundries - it's a delight. Hopefully the Covid dark cloud will blow away sooner rather than later and this store will be back to normal. One thing - it's pricey, but quality is high. read more

Large selection of beautiful yarns and quality quilting fabrics. The staff was very friendly and nice. I am from S. CA and found fabric prices on the bolt to be about $1.20per yard higher. But I bought a 10 count fat quarter bundle that was put together by the shop which was super cute for $26.00. Which was a great deal. Highly recommend this shop. read more

I must give a shout-out to the nice people who work at Gather Here. I called them because I have a sewing machine I haven't used in years and couldn't remember how to get the bobbin case in, thread the bobbin, put thread on,....basically anything about how to use the machine. Someone on the phone said, sure bring it in. The male owner spent a good half hour with me going over everything, not even knowing if I as going to buy anything. I did end up buying several small things, but there was no pressure to buy more. He was patient and so helpful. I can't recommend this place highly enough. the world need more people like this! Thank you read more

It's a nice enough space at first glance, but became kinda disappointing on repeat visits. First - They charge very high prices. This is partly because they primarily carry very nice fabric/yarn which would cost a lot at any store - but they do definitely overcharge for quilt fabric. I consistently saw their prices for printed quilt fabric were at least a couple of dollars higher per yard than you could find at any other quilt store, including other small and in-person businesses. I'm not talking about cheaper but lower quality fabric you get at a Joann's or something, I'm talking about the exact same fabric, from the same exact designer, as gather here carries. Their solid Kona fabric is relatively inexpensive, at least. Second, their classes are really only meant for beginners. Even their intermediate classes are really meant for people who have maybe taken 1-2 classes before but still need a lot of help. I wouldn't recommend taking any classes if you'd describe yourself as a "seasoned" quilter/knitter/sewist/etc. Third, I will mention here they are still requiring customers to mask (and prove vaccination for classes) in fall 2022. Given their snarky comments online about this, I assume they think anyone who finds this a bit overkill is an uneducated, unvaccinated "anti-masker". I'm not about to throw a fit when asked to mask, nor complain about staff masking themselves, but it does seem a little much at this point. On that point, the staff as a whole, and in particular the owner, are kind of abrasive and difficult to deal with. Sure, they're nice enough ringing you up, but if you run into any kinds of problems they're generally unhelpful bordering on rude. Some positives: they're open late on weekdays, they have a bathroom in the store, the store is arranged well. Maybe you'll enjoy yourself there, but after a few bad experiences with their staff, I'm generally shopping elsewhere now. read more

I've been going to Gather Here since I moved to MA and I've never once had a bad experience. Now that isn't saying that they've always had what I'm looking for, but they're always willing to order or help me find it elsewhere. The people who work there are so pleasant and the environment is clean. Generally craft supply stores are stuffy but Gather Here is absolutely the opposite. The yarn and fabric is well kept and organized with plenty of space to walk and browse. read more

I'm a quilter and found this place while traveling; it is hard to find quilt stores in big cities and I was so excited to find Gather Here. Their fabric selection has a lot of quality, and seems well-curated to accommodate the size. There is also a large selection of yarn and yarn craft items. The service was helpful and warm, and if I lived here this would be my go-to shop! read more

Shopping is by appointment only, I knit my first sweater during the pandemic and was able to go in, pick out yarn, wind it all, and not feel like I was putting myself and the fantastic staff at risk. Virginia taught me how to sew years ago in the old space, and though I haven't been taking classes lately, the shop has brought so many wonderful people and new hobbies into my life. Honestly can't recommend it enough! read more

My grandmother died this morning. My partner and I were scheduled to take a class. We spent months talking about sharing an activity like this and trying to find a wonderful local resource for it. We thought we found the answer in a beginners sewing class at Gather Here. When I found out my grandmother was dead this morning and that I needed to meet with family for funeral arrangements, I called and left a message that my grandmother had died and we would not be able to come in for the class. I asked to reschedule. I called back and spoke to someone on the phone a few hours later. They have a policy that they do not give refunds because they are a small business and I absolutely understand and respect that. They can reschedule class tickets but told me they would not because I didn't give them 72 hours notice. I told them I don't know how I was supposed to give them 72 hours notice that my grandmother was going to die. The person I spoke to said they would talk to the owners but that they historically have given zero exceptions so that they do not allow unconscious bias to sneak into their decision-making. The owners came back reaffirming that they would not accommodate us. They offered what felt like a slap in the face it of the materials and said we could come in and just use the machines to try and make things with the materials as of that was the point. If a small, supposedly community centric business hides behind unyieldingly rigid policy rather than taking an empathetic approach capable of managing situations like this then they have no right to call themselves community-centric. Attempting to unilaterally avoid bias via a zero tolerance policy as a way to be fair seems robotic and lazy at best and thoroughly dismissive or intentionally ignorant of human and community business complexity at worst. The condolences feel like nothing more than lip service. I'm beyond stunned by how this was handled. This rigidity and faux compassion are so counter to everything I thought Gather Here stood for. This has been an incredibly negative situation and I cannot see myself supporting or recommending this business anytime soon. read more

Fun little store with a great selection of quality goods and fabric. I'll start off by making it clear: if you're looking for a discount fabric store or cheap sewing supplies this place probably isn't it for better or worse. That said, what they have is well curated and the quality is what you pay for. I am a sewer and a man and it was slightly intimidating to go shop around by myself as the store has a bit of a cutesy/feminine vibe, perhaps more geared towards seamstress/dressmakers instead of tailoring/utility - but that was forgotten once I bought my first cut of utility fabric and some cool buttons from their well-stocked selection. Not all denim/canvas/Sherpa etc is created equal and they have the good stuff. Wish they had some black denim though. Everyone seemed pretty helpful and they're always interested in what customers are making and seem passionate about their crafts. I tend to shy away from retail when it comes to specialty stores, and order things online as I hate feeling condescended to (I'm looking at you, Guitar Center) but the women here are very nice and don't give off that vibe. I'm becoming a regular customer so it's nice to have a relaxed atmosphere, which is opposite the typical retail environment. To finish off, I bought a fancy new sewing machine to supplement my other machine for different project options and the salesman, Noah(?) was extremely patient, helpful, and knowledgeable. When spending that kind of money, it's nice when they also treat you nicely.... Highly recommended. read more

Gather Here - My new Bernina 335 - Fabric Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This place is such a good resource for anyone who sews, knits, embroiders, or does any kind of fabric/yarn craft. I've been to a few of their sewing classes which are taught incredibly well. I have also used their sewing machines during studio time, during which they have an instructor who can help you out on your project, which was great! I also love how inclusive the environment is - they make it clear that everyone is welcome in their shop! In addition to holding classes, they have also held voter registration events. This is a business that is truly committed to the community. However, everything is somewhat pricy, from the classes to the materials, which is why I give it four stars and not five. read more

Gather Here - This is a bag I made in the "Sewing Basics" class! - Fabric Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I don't see how you can enter this store and not be inspired! I don't have a creative bone in my body, but the giant selection of fabrics, yarn, sewing patterns, buttons, embroidery kits, and more here is enough to inspire even the least crafty person. They call themselves a "stitch lounge" because anyone is welcome to come in, hang out, and work on a project. This store also offers classes and private lessons ($30-90 an hour). Some of the items are a little pricey, but that comes with supporting a local business. read more

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Kind and helpful staff! Friendly and informative! Very good yarn and a million fabric patterns!

Beautiful shop! All of the associates were friendly and helpful. Such a thoughtful and intentional store. I will be coming back for sure!

I realized that I've been going to Gather Here for nearly a decade and never written a review. Gather Here is always my first stop for knitting and sewing supplies. Their products are so thoughtfully curated for quality and it's obvious that everything is carefully selected... I trust whatever they choose to carry. Shopping there, I always feel like I can ask questions and I couldn't guess how many times I've gotten great help choosing fabric and tools... everyone is so friendly and it's so easy to chat. Gather Here is also where I learned to new and embroider, and I can't wait to take another class when I'm able. Add to all that their role in the community, holiday markets, activism, AND incredible values and you have a really special place. FINALLY, their pandemic response has been fantastic... working hard to serve their customers while also doing the best for their staff. Thank you! read more

A friend and I happened to walk in here on Gather Here's one year birthday. The had cupcakes and other treats for people. The store was packed with knitters, sewers, etc. and the energy was good. I'm always skeptical of the service side of businesses when I'm in Cambridge because so many of them are so damn elitist, but I found the staff here to be extra helpful and genuinely kind. It's a small community of crafty people, so many of them knew each other and one customer was flagged down by a staff member to see if she could help us with a pattern. She spent more than 30mins guiding us through this pattern and showing us other instruments we could use to make things easier, and different yarns and needles for adjustments. While I found everyone to be welcoming and very friendly, I can't looked passed the fact that everyone in there was White except for my friend and I. Also, they have a very tiny selection of non-animal fiber yarn and their classes are sort of steep - and so is the yarn! I do like that they offer small intimate classes, but one of the staff said they fill up so quickly that you have to sit in front of your computer and try to sign up the minute they post it on their site. That's a little too much for me. read more

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I love this place!!! I've taken the beginner crochet class, the needle felting class, and most recently the "simple sundress" sewing class. I like how the classes are kept small with about only 4 people max so that you get the instructor's step-by-step guidance. Virginia, the owner, taught the 2-session sewing class and had the most patience with all of my questions. Having someone at the end of a class say to you, "I have full confidence that you'll be able to make this dress again on your own," is such an awesome feeling! And better yet, to hear your other classmates say, "I can't wait to make this dress again!" in unison with you. :) The staff are extremely friendly and helpful with questions on just about everything (it's funny how much you hear while you're taking a class!). I have some oil cloth fabric that a friend gave me that I want to make into something, and they were helpful in finding a pattern to fit my needs even though I didn't buy the fabric from them. They have a really big selection of beautiful fabrics and yarn, and some of the best samples of finished projects that I've ever seen at a craft store. There's just so much inspiration when you walk into this place which is part of what makes it such a wonderful store! read more

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Gather here has an amazing community. I have been going to pints and purls for a few months now, and I've made great friends. It a warm environment, they provide food, and also allow you to bring in whatever you'd like. The selection of supplies: yarn, needles, fabric, embroidery floss and kits is about as extensive as you can find in the Cambridge/Somerville area. The staff is super knowledgeable as well and can assist in almost any project. I haven't taken any classes, but I hope to in the future! read more

Gather Here - A cowl I made with Quince and Co yarn. - Fabric Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I love Gather Here! It has a great selection of yarn and fabric. The online store and curbside pickup options have been really helpful during Covid too. The business took Covid very seriously which I really appreciated, and didn't open for in store shopping until things were much safer. The staff is very helpful, even if you are ordering online and email a question! I was curious about a color of fabric compared to another and they pulled the fabric and sent me a picture! I've seen people say that prices are high, but I disagree. Prices are in line with other independent yarn and fabric stores, and product quality is wonderful. You can't compare a store like this to a chain craft store, it's just not the same. I've also taken a few classes and the instructors were very good! Pre-Covid I frequented their maker nights on Thursdays and the brunch one on the weekend. It was a great way to meet people and talk while working on small craft projects. And it was always free. An awesome service to provide to the community! read more

I love Gather Here so much!! Not only do they consistently have many different beautiful fabrics, embroidery hoops, and embroidery accessories but they also deliver super quickly and their online store is really easy to use!! A gem of Somerville read more

Gather here is a total gem of a community space & shop in Cambridge. I've been here a few times now including twice for beginner classes in knitting and sewing. Both times I've left feeling exhilarated - there's nothing like making something with your own hands, and in such pleasant company to boot. And this, after coming home with a swatch of about 5 rows of knitting (truly laughable to anyone else but me) the first time. But I learned all the basics, and managed to finish a first scarf which I'm never taking off this season. The instructors and staff are super patient, encouraging and available to assist with even the smallest questions - I'm not sure where the negative reviews below come from. It's also been nice to note the diversity of class attendees. They have water and tea on the side, restrooms, couches to sit and work on projects, and a glorious selection of fabric and yarns. Oh, and good tunes, too. I'll be coming back for their sip & stitch nights and to rent the machines. So fun. read more

I have shopped here for fabric and yarn several times and am always delighted by the selection and quality - practically everything in the store will inspire you to make something! I also recently took a class - "Knitting Basics" - and it was fantastic. A few of us were in the store (masked up and safely spaced apart) and some were tuning in online. The instructor did a phenomenal job in this challenging hybrid model: she helped all of us work at our own speed, not just to learn the basics but to actually feel confident. I had so much fun and cannot wait to take another class! read more

I usually come to Gather Here for odds and ends - they have a great selection of threads, tools, and yarns - and appreciate their thoughtfulness about managing their store. Today I shopped by appointment, which was 1) easy to set up, 2) provided clear instructions about their processes and that the appointment is for you alone, and importantly 3) I felt SAFE. After arriving at the store and checking in, I was pointed to hand sanitizer and was helped to find exactly what I needed. There were few customers in the store so we could maintain safe distance, and checking out was safely distanced as well with more hand sanitizer available at the register. Thanks Gather Here! read more

The staff here is so friendly and welcoming. There is an abundance of everything from crochet, knitting, and sewing. I seriously fell in love with the store when I first visited! Lots of classes and you can use their sewing machines. My favorite thing about this place is the amount of Rifle Paper fabric they have as well. It's a little far away from Boston but an easy commute from the bus and train. read more

Finally went back to Gather here to peruse their fabric selection for a small project and was very happy to find that my eyes and nose did not start immediately tearing and running like they did the last time I was there. I think the new floor varnish has off gassed enough in the past year for it to be a safe space for the chemically sensitive. I found a lot of the fabric selection to be a bit on the cutesy side but that seems typical of most places and they do have a larger selection than my local shop, so you can still definitely find things to work with. So glad I didn't feel like death in there this time! read more

Our S&B group is now based out of Gather Here on Wednesday nights and we couldn't be happier. The owners are awesome, they always have treats and coffee available and they let us take over their store for a few hours with our loud-mouth gabbing. I love their vintage fabrics - I bought two delicious yards and made some super cute kitchen curtains. I wish they had more yarn selection, but then again this is a craft studio, not just a yarn store. They have sewing machines and table space to rent by the hour - it's a great idea! Sewing classes, knitting classes, crafting classes and I can't wait to take the crochet class! Thanks guys!! read more

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I adore Gather Here! I just moved into the neighborhood and was so excited to have a local sewing shop where I can pick up all the needed bits & bobs with a decent selection of fabric. Fair warning - it's most cotton, knits, and some oil cloth, so if you're looking for a bigger variety it may be hit or miss. Fabric is reasonably priced, the have a good selection of notions & thread, and have a ton of fun patterns and kits for people of all levels of experience. Another fair warning - they sell quality items, so they will be a bit more expensive than your average "big box" chain, but well worth it for supporting a small local business & quality products! The coolest part is that they offer classes & have a studio space where you can rent time for machines (lovely Berninas!), cutting tables, and a long arm quilting machine. I hope to take a knitting class when I can finally snag a spot, they fill up quick! Overall, super cute space with a fabulous vibe. I'm so excited to spend more time there while I live here! read more

I brought my Bernina sewing machine in for service as this place is listed as repair for my brand. I was a little surprised at the intense level of administrative forms required - however I complied. What I needed to be fixed was ignored. I had to remind the technician - when the machine was ready to be picked up - I lifted the cover to find it covered in oil. The accessories were all jumbled up in an oily mess and a piece was missing. Everything had to be cleaned when I got it home, not to mention dripping oil the whole way. Then, upon reporting this to the technician they took no responsibility for it at all. It was a defensive email which really turns me off. This is not a place you want to do business with. read more

I have always thought this place rather pretentious. However the experiences I have had over the past months have convinced me to never go there again. They are very limited in "my" types of yarn: Knit Collage is the only brand I like that they carry and it is much more expensive here than anywhere else: $37 a skein vs. $27 online. Why no stamps on the card for buying sale items?! We still spent money in your store. Also, thank you so much for refusing to let us exchange a pattern that we hadn't opened and that our 11 yr. old purchased by mistake since she thought it was a skirt but it's actually culottes. That was so helpful and made our little girl so happy. Not! We won't be bothering you ever again with our presence. read more

Bought today one yard of fabric. I asked them not to wrap it as I want to cut it on half. I was told that I need to RENT SPACE from them to do that. I said, all I need is to cut it in half. I was told that I would use their "tools" i.e. scissors to do that and that I need to rent space for this purpose. Never going back! read more