ABOUT WHITNEY CRUTCHFIELD
Founder+Designer+Maker
I have been a textile lover ever since my mom taught me how to sew a reversible Barbie skirt in our basement in rural Michigan. Since then, I have been deeply influenced and led into this fascinatingly intertwined textile community by a number of strong, talented people.
After obtaining a MFA in Fibers and enjoying the clean air of Colorado, I landed in Brooklyn, and it instantly felt like home. My textile obsession has materialized here in a number of different ways, including crafting at Martha Stewart, teaching at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design, and Textile Arts Center, and designing textiles for a major teen apparel retailer.
My heart and passion, however, were not in the world of mass production and fleeting trends. So, with over ten years of weaving, dyeing, and teaching experience under my belt, I turned my efforts fully to sharing the magic of textiles through WE GATHER. Whether through creative workshops and events, carefully assembled at-home weaving and dyeing kits, or thoughtfully and ethically-made products produced right in the Brooklyn studio, I hope to help others experience the joy and meaning that comes along with a simple piece of cloth.
Fast facts:
-optimism is my strong suit
-cheese is my weak suit
-I fully commit to a theme party
-I am a registered wedding officiant in NYC (looking at you, lovebirds)
-I never stifle a laugh
ABOUT WE GATHER
What do textiles mean to you?
You probably wear them almost every day. Perhaps, as a little one, you had a favorite blanket that was both your sidekick and safety. Maybe you treasure an old sweater because, no matter how many times you wash it, it still smells like a beloved person or place.
Textiles are one of the first things to embrace you when you enter this world, one of the last to comfort you as you leave it. They mark the thresholds of our lives, accompany us in our everyday experiences, and forge connections between us.
WE GATHER is here to spread the textile love. I aim to celebrate textiles and all of the wonder, history, and meaning that they hold. And I put all of those good textile vibes in your hands in a few different ways:
Textile-based workshops in weaving, dyeing, stitching, and rug-making bring people together in a fun and creative environment. I emphasize light-hearted learning while giving you the tools and skills you need to continue your textile adventures. Whether you’re a total beginner or a lifelong textile enthusiast, I’ve got a space for you.
DIY kits bring the textile fun into your home, wherever that may be. They focus on beginner to intermediate skill-building with clear and careful instructions, and the kits are chock full of my favorite studio materials.
Commission textiles are hand dyed, hand woven, and hand finished with love and masterful care in my Brooklyn studio (learn about our process here). I value a thoughtful design process that blends clients’ ideas with my signature style. Commission textiles include handwoven home accents and handdyed fabrics and yarns, as well as special projects (take a peek at some recent projects here). My goal in production is to minimize waste while creating functional, heirloom-quality textiles meant to be used and loved for a lifetime.
WE GATHER’s Anti-Racist and Community-Oriented Mission
Black lives matter. The communities close to us matter. This business comes up short in supporting Black lives and other marginalized communities and I am responsible for that. So I’m sharing improvements I am implementing as I shift WE GATHER’s mission to one that is anti-racist and community-focused. These are the actions that are part of that shift:
Establish monthly recurring donations to organizations that benefit Black women, Indigenous communites, and our AAPI neighbors, currently Custom Collaborative, Heart of Dinner, and The Loveland Foundation.
Work to make learning experiences accessible and welcoming for Black people and, if needed, eliminate potential barriers like cost, timing, and location to create spaces in public workshops for Black textile enthusiasts.
Forge supportive partnerships with Black community organizations in and around Brooklyn to offer free community weaving opportunities.
Create an apprenticeship program for high school and college students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Offer ongoing mentorship regarding textile work and the operations of a small entrepreneurial business.
Share and support additional voices by building relationships with and featuring weavers, dyers, and textile artists who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Evaluate supply chain and sourcing for product and workshop materials. When possible, redirect money to Black-owned businesses.
Research and share efforts to continue building a more sustainable textile business, understanding that systemic racism and environmental harm are interconnected.
Research textile histories and identify where the Black experience and Black contributions to the textile field have been left out, and work to make sure they are not. Acknowledge that the historical origins of most textile processes are inherently non-white.
Educate myself and any future WE GATHER team members on my (their) role in white supremacy and actively engage in changing that role.