Becoming a member

Membership to Patchwork is open to all as long as they follow our community agreements:

• This is a shared community space. The items left in the space will be considered property of Patchwork, and are therefore liable for use if not specifically labeled as personal property, and are liable to be touched and moved regardless of whose property it may be.
• Respect others
  • Embody principles of mutual aid
    • Participate in community
    • Challenge oppression
    • Share skills, resources, and feedback
    • Practice solidarity and care
• Respect the space and equipment
  • Keep food and drinks away from equipment and workbenches
  • Practice usufruct: use what’s communal, don’t break or destroy anything that isn’t yours
  • Leave the space tidier than how you found it
  • Ask for help: only use equipment you know how to use
  • Share: don’t hog the equipment
• Be chill and have fun

Sliding scale for individuals

Patchwork is funded by our members. We want to make it accessible to everyone in our community but at the same time cover all the expenses we need to keep running.

To this effect we have a sliding scale of membership. We ask you to honestly reflect on what it is you can afford, how you can support your community, and consider the incredible opportunities that Patchwork provides at a really cheap rate.

Please reflect on the self assessment below to help you consider what rate to pay to attend this offering. We know that all of our experiences regarding these factors are different and complex. We hope that this list of questions supports reflective discernment.

• Are you and your family homeowners or landowners?
• Have you attended private education institutions or do you have an advanced degree?
• Are your bills or credit cards on autopay?
• Have you not had difficulty accessing and affording healthcare or health insurance for you or your family members?
• Do you have zero to no debt and/or do you have disposable income?
• Do you have a safety net composed of “financially stable” or wealthy family and friends?
• Do you have U.S. Citizenship?
• Does your income only support you, and not other loved ones?
• Have you or do you expect to inherit money or property?
• Have you (or could you have) attended college?
• Have you (or could you have) attended graduate school?

Based on your answers to the self assessment, here are the suggested rates:

If you answered almost all no → Tinker (the solidarity rate)

If you answered more no than yes → Make (the minimum sustainable rate)

If you answered more yes than no → Mend (the full cost)

If you answered almost all yes → Weave (the redistribution cost)

Note that patchwork is temporarily closed for the next couple of weeks. You are still welcome to join and get involved, but we will not be offering open hours or workshops. For more details see our Instagram post.

Sliding scale for organizations

Interested in joining patchwork as an organization? Reach out to us to hear what you get.

As we get more settled and grow, these fees can change, but early joiners will be able to keep the fee the join at if they would like!

Cancel your membership?

Things change, we get it. It might no longer be the right time for you to maintain your membership of Patchwork. Go here, verify your email, and then choose “Cancel subscription.” We’d love to hear why you’re cancelling, and how we can improve. Drop us a line at hi@patchworkdc.com.