If you can’t visit in person, the online store offers much of the same merchandise as the brick and mortar shop.

The Cotton Patch 1025 Brown Avenue Lafayette, CA 94549 (925) 284-1177 cottonpa@aol.com

Store Hours: Mon–Tue–Wed–Fri 10:00am – 5:30pm Thu 10:00am – 9:00pm Sat 10:00am – 5:00pm Sun 12 noon – 4:00pm

Carolie Hensley is one of the founders of the Cotton Patch. For the last 24 years she has been the sole proprietor. A sewing enthusiast all her life, she has been on the forefront of quilting’s reemergence as a national pastime.

One of the first instructors for The Cotton Patch was Roberta Horton. When Roberta wanted to publish a book and couldn’t find anyone to do it, Carolie stepped forward and said, “We’ll do it!” The “we” was Carolie and husband Tom, thus C&T publishing was founded. It is now one of the largest quilt and crafts publishers in the world. They have since sold the company to their two sons who continue to expand the company.

Carolie and Tom started out attending Quilt Market when it fit in a ballroom and they knew all of the attendees. It now takes her three days and a strategy to cover the entire show. At Quilt Market 2004, Carolie received the prestigious National Michael Kile Award for helping to further the quilting industry.

Carolie’s love of color is reflected in The Cotton Patch. Her shop has a bright and welcoming feel, very much a reflection of her personality. A rose garden in front of the shop and cats in back hint at two of her other passions.