I am a twelve year professional quilter. I check the yellow pages everywhere I go for quilt shops and use "The Quilter's Companion" in addition to the yellow pages. Always call first especially in this economy. Shops change their hours and many are not just off the highway.
I can honestly say that The Cotton Patch deserves 5 STARS as a shop that is professional, well stocked, and offers professional classes to it's customers. Yes, I am biased as I have worked there now for the last ten plus years BUT I have a lot to compare it to spanning, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and all of California.
No Where in California can you go and find the selection of Quilting Books offered by the Cotton Patch. Before ordering a book from anywhere call them first they will ship it to you. Many out of print books are available at the publishers price. The collection of my favorite fabrics batiks, brights, Kaffe Fassett, Asian and flannels is exceptional. Carolie has her customers spoiled-new fabrics come in almost daily, the notions and Bernina machines are all top notch state of the art. I own three Bernina's and find the service provided all customers to be top notch, especially since there is now an on site technician for service and maintanence of your machine. The free classes with machine purchase are a must do to learn the maximum your machine will do.
The Cotton Patch Staff are all quilter's-no one's daughter works there-all of the staff can assist you with your project and all of us teach classes. Many of the staff are award winning quilter's.
Yes, the shop is sometimes crowded with fabric--But I ask you would you want any less? I hear all the time, "You can never have too much fabric."
You can get almost anything related to quilting special ordered. I jokingly say I work there to support my habit (I'm a fabric-a-holic) but I truthfully work there because I enjoy my co-workers and the job that I do as well as respect the owner of the shop. Carolie is celebrating her 30th year as owner of The Cotton Patch. Many do not know that she played a vital role in the rejuvination of quilting in this country when she opened her shop and shortly after that started C&T Publishing. I feel especially privileged to work for her and in a community rich with famous quilter's that drop in weekly to teach, shop, and just say hello.
To all of you quilters-shop local and support your local quilt stores. Many of you have seen wonderful shops close because they couldn't keep their doors open competing with the large chain stores. Don't show up to a class with fabric you purchased at a chain store. Shops don't make money off of the classes they offer. They make money off the fabric and notions sold in their shops.
I look forward to seeing all of you in the shop sometime soon. We are there to help you. If I retired today, The Cotton Patch would still be my favorite store to shop. read more