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The Work Done: February 2026
- Brice Gaston
- Feb 27
- 5 min read
February has been a month of connecting the dots. From working with veteran-owned small businesses to supporting high school clubs, we are seeing the MTCF mission take root across the North Houston area. Our focus remains on the three pillars: building community, providing education, and supporting well-being through the craft.
New Roots in the Community
We have spent this month shaking hands and finding common ground with some incredible local leaders.
The Sewcial Box (Cypress, TX): We had the pleasure of meeting the owner of this new sewing and quilting shop. As a veteran-owned business, they represent the exact kind of creative leadership we love to support. She has various programs to teach and educate, and will soon have space to host all sorts of events. We look forward to seeing her grow!
Fiber Arts Houston: We sat down with Dr. Terri King, the founder and executive director of Fiber Arts Houston. Dr. King is on a mission to eliminate the barriers to entry commonly found in textile crafting. Aligning with other local organizations helps us ensure that the fiber community in our city remains strong and accessible to everyone.
Reclamation: Ready for the Debut
We have officially put the bow on our first set of Reclamation yarn. This project is our way of being better stewards of our resources. By harvesting high-quality fiber from thrift store finds, we are creating a viable, affordable alternative for the yarn market.
We are packed up and ready to bring this line to the public for the first time. You can find the debut of Reclamation yarn at our booths during:
Brazos Valley Fiber Festival (Bryan, TX) https://bvfiberfest.com/ March 13 & 14
East Texas Fiber Fest (Canton, TX)
March 27 & 28
If you are in the area, come say hello. We can’t wait to show you what we have been working on, and we absolutely want to hear your stories!
Empowering the Next Generation
Our work with local students is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. This month, we have two major updates:
Tomball High School: We are thrilled to announce a budding partnership with the Tomball High School Fiber Arts Club. These students are enthusiastic about building a self-sufficient, inclusive club. MTCF is stepping in to provide materials, resources, and mentorship to help them grow. We are proud to support these young makers from the sidelines as they make this club their own.
Hamilton Elementary: Our 5th graders are officially taking off. It is awesome to see students we taught from day one now branching out to create their own items. We are even seeing the boys in the club crocheting pieces to wear and show off during class.
Direct Impact and Growth
Our partnership with Montrose Grace Place continues to be a highlight of our week. There is something powerful about watching someone pick up a hook, receive a few instructions, and realize they can create something of their own. Seeing the look on their faces when they realize they can keep the donated materials is a reminder that your contributions go directly to people who need them. Looking to the future, we have 2 meetups with them in March, and 3 in April. You're invited to join us as we mentor the young adults of tomorrow.
To help manage our growth, we have created a profile with Idealist, a national volunteer database. This will help us find local individuals who want to get their hands dirty and help us run our ongoing programs.
You can check out details on our volunteer posting HERE.
Shop Highlight: Fiber Fellas Glossy Mug
We’ve officially launched the MTCF merchandise store. We’ve kept it simple: every item has a modest $5 markup. That $5 goes directly toward putting one creative kit into the hands of a person in our programs. When you wear our gear, you’re literally handing a craft to someone else.
This sturdy, glossy ceramic mug is built for your daily coffee or tea, with a vivid print that is both dishwasher and microwave-safe. Available in 11 oz, 15 oz, or 20 oz sizes, each lead and BPA-free mug is made to order to help reduce overproduction and waste. By choosing this on-demand piece, you are supporting thoughtful consumption and the MTCF mission with every sip.
From the Founder: Why We Do This
January was an amazing start, and we only built on that momentum in February. This month, I spent a lot of time hitting the streets to meet people in our fiber community. What struck me most were the stories. People shared their personal histories of how knitting, crochet, sewing, or quilting helped them overcome mental health struggles.
I do this because I know those benefits firsthand. I also know that so many more of my brothers could benefit from these hobbies if it were not for that damn stigma. You know the one I am talking about. I am on a mission to break the stereotype that crochet is for grandmas or that men do not belong in the world of textile arts.
By building a community and educating the masses, we can introduce creative wellness tools to guys who usually would not consider them. Though we are called the Men’s Textile Collective Foundation, we are for everyone. We welcome anyone who wants to help us create a diverse, inclusive space at the table.
We have some amazing things on the horizon. The next few months will be busy as we navigate getting this nonprofit up and running. I thank every one of you for choosing to believe in us. We could not be here without you.
~ Brice Porter
Transparency: February by the Numbers
As a nonprofit, we believe in being open about where our resources come from and where they go. We want our supporters to see the direct link between their contributions and our community impact.
Revenue: In February, we raised $2,400 across our revenue streams. Nearly all of this inflow came from generous yarn donations from the community.
Inventory: We currently hold $6,900 in inventory across our major programs. This includes materials for our community outreach and our Reclamation yarn resale line. We are actively looking for new ways to get this yarn into the hands of makers across the state of Texas.
Expenses: We spent $240 this month. These funds went toward preparing for our upcoming fiber festivals and providing community yarn to our partners.
We expect our expenses to rise as we expand our material support for various fiber clubs. Currently, Hamilton Elementary receives the majority of this support as its club continues to grow.
How You Can Help
Our ideas are only as strong as the people who help us carry them out. We are currently looking for dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors. Specifically, we need:
A Board Secretary to help keep us organized and transparent.
Marketing & Graphic Design support to help us tell our story more effectively.
Volunteers for our ongoing work at Hamilton Elementary and Montrose Grace Place.
If you believe in our mission and have the time or skills to help us grow, please reach out. We need people who are ready to help make these ideas a reality.
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