All craft roads lead to Playtime--an unassuming yet remarkable arts and crafts supply store in…read moreArlington Center. As a gifter, I don't fully understand how I didn't know about this place before, but I'm so glad I do now. I went for a family project recently when closer craft shops didn't have what we needed. There's an abundance of arts and crafts supplies here, housed in two interconnected basement rooms, along with an impressive paper and picture frame selection (among other items) on the first floor. The atmosphere is one of a kind--more like an arts-and-crafts boutique curated by the owner, with items you won't easily find together elsewhere. Because of the sheer breadth, some categories (like fabrics, for example) have a smaller variety, which is just an observation, not a critique. Ribbons are unrivaled. If you don't have time to wander, ask--the best part of our experience was the owner, Carol, and the staff (thank you, Lilly). They are wonderfully kind, patient, and creative, offering thoughtful, gentle advice for your projects and genuinely care about their customers. Tip: There's a parking lot in the back or bus 87 drops you off right in front, literally. Highly recommended local business.

How in the WORLD have I lived in Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge for decades and not known about…read morethis place. A friend recommended coming here w/ my mom to look for yarn for her knitting projects and my friend prefaced that this place was the BEST for any type of arts, crafts, decor, etc. Well, WOW!! And funny enough, my mom used to go to this store when she was a little girl in the late 50s-60s to get Nancy Drew books. She said it was EXACTLY how she remembered as a kid. I was awe struck by everything this store had. I will definitely be making this place a regular stop for gifts for people and for fun. Forget going to places like Michaels. Come to this local, family-owned business which I guarantee will have whatever you are looking for. It's an incredible place.

Awesome place for a fun crafternoon!…read more I came with a few friends on a rainy day to do a project, and had never done anything with mosaics before. We bought about 3 hours of time which is really the minimum amount of time it will take for a project. They had all of the supplies and colors and textures you could ever want and helped us every step of the way! It was about $15/hour plus the cost of the actual item you are putting the mosaics on. And note, you will need to let the tiles dry for 24 hours and grout it at home (if you are not local and can't return) The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and it was a great experience.

Nice teacher, good glass selection, good choice of shapes for making fused plates and bowlsread more

Such a variety of books and gifts. The shop has something for everyone and they can order books if…read morethey don't have them.

Disrespect customer and so rude hanging up phone calls, don't give any explanation to cancel…read moreorders. Worst experience ever had.

Wonderful pottery studio! Friendly and welcoming staff. Such a fun activity for all ages! Thanks!read more

Made by Me is a fun activity to do with friends, a date, or solo! The small studio is off Mass Ave,…read morenear a ton of good food spots and ice cream (shoutout to Barcelona Wine Bar). When you go in there are a ton of items on the wall to choose from, which have a base price. Some of them can be quite pricey but there are also some solid options that are $20 or less. I got this cute mushroom bird feeder that I plan to use for jewelry (I believe it was around $20?). Once you start paying there is a rate per hour that is charged on top of that item price. I will say that the studio has a very zen and relaxing vibe... until I remembered I was being charged per hour HA. There are stencils and a variety of colors to use for your artwork. I loved the stencil books because they helped so much, especially with the time constraint. When you're done with your piece they estimate about 7 days before it is ready for pickup. The staff were all super kind and helpful and the place itself was kept tidy. Overall, I had a great experience there with my friend and would go again. BONUS: I don't live in the area anymore and my friend dropped the ball on picking up our artwork. I recently went back to visit and since I was right across the street I decided to try my luck and see if my piece was there, and it was! I painted my mushroom bird feeder in December 2024 and it was still there 5 months later in May! AMAZINNGGGGG, really made my day.

I did an online pick-up order this morning for 3 identical items for Easter, and while I was not…read morethrilled about having to go to Cambridge my usual store (Newton) was sold-out. It was raining, it is the week of Passover and Easter and the parking lot was a mess. I ran in, grabbed my order and thought "what a cute red bag they put it in" and ran out. My mistake was not checking to see what was actually in the bag..... Not the colors I ordered and no, I did not say that substituting the items was OK (because it wouldn't have been). Complete waste of time since I now need to return them and feel like a weirdo returning Easter stuff AFTER the holiday when I have time (and will not be returning to Cambridge). I always use pick-up and have never had a problem, lesson learned! Thanks for wasting my time (and $3.98 gallon gas)!

Large double room space with PLENTY of inventory. We usually stop into Michael's obviously for our…read morecraft supplies. For me I look for painting canvases, paint markers, acrylic paints and brush kits. They literally have everything and new sales and deals weekly. Ample parking in the lot...FREE!

If you like to tinker, make art, build, create or imagine, this is the place to go…read more If you need beautiful stuff, this is the place to go. If you believe in recycling, reusing, repurposing and reimagining, this is the place to go. If you are looking for support and inspiration with a project, this is the place to go.

This place is AMAZING!!! I have found countless cool items here for my crafts! If you need…read moreinspiration or supplies, this is the place to go!!!!

I'm so grateful that this place still exists. It's an old time fabric store that sells a wide range…read moreof fabrics plus will service your machine. The owner is super nice guy. The whole place is old school.

Business has gone up since Jo Ann closed and therefore he has ordered more amazing fabric! Stacks…read moreof bolts everywhere, and M is an AMAZING curator. Don't miss this little gem!!!

I was able to discuss with the owner about attending a class in their place. I found the place…read moreclean and inviting. If you are looking to find sewing materials, machines, etc I would check this place out. Two thumbs up!!

Gather Here is much more than a typical fabric shop, it's a vibrant community hub for crafters in…read moreCambridge. 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.

Employees were very attentive and came over immediately if you had any questions or need…read moreassistance. They had you practice a few methods prior to starting. We went with the rug tufting activity, which was fun and I learned I don't quite have the patience for it. However, I'd try it again now that I've made one rug. It definitely can be tiring on the hands and takes a few hours so not something that can be rushed. You can choose any design you'd like as long as you have a photo and they can project it from your phone to outline. At the end they put a non-slip backing. They offer other activities too, great place to go on a rainy or cold day or whenever one is feeling crafty!

Had a very fun time making my rug. The team was so positive and energetic, and were helping during…read moreevery step of the process! I was shocked how "easy" it was to make the rug-I attribute some of that to the staff hosting such a strong tutorial. I can't wait to go back!

What a fun activity! I was here with a group of women for a social / networking event. We were…read moreallowed to bring our own food and drinks (pizza and coke, solid!). You can pick your own item to paint. They have so many different options to choose from in varying price ranges. They give you all the materials you need, including apron , sponges and paint. They also give you clear instructions and suggestions. I decided to paint a spoon rest, something I've been looking for- functional and pretty. It cost around $24 which was fair pricing. While picking what to paint, keep in mind you have around 1.5-2hrs. So plan accordingly! After our painting, they text you within 10 days and you can go pick up your masterpiece. Plenty of free parking lot as well as street parking available in the area. I will definitely be back.

We took a 1 session pottery throwing class. Sabrina was a great teacher! When we come to the area…read moreagain, we'll be back!