Rachel's Quilt Patch
 Since January 6, 1997 when Rachel's Quilt Patch was dedicated, I have been realizing my dream of owning my own fabric shop. Thirteen years have passed by and though much has changed, much still stays the same. The rewards are greater than I had ever imagined, but running the shop is challenging as I knew it would be. I have been blessed with some of the best employee/friends and customers any business owner could hope for. With the addition of my daughter, Kay, it is truly a "family" operation.
We all love quilting and sharing our quilting experience with you! We are here to help you in every way we can, from selecting fabric, assisting beginners as they get started and guiding experienced quilters through new tools & techniques. We are dedicated to creating a rewarding and enjoyable shopping experience for quilters and crafters of every skill level.
Rachel's Quilt Patch is housed in the freight station of the Staunton Railroad Station, now called Staunton Station. The freight station is a brick building circa 1860, that was been beautifully and faithfully restored. Our wood floors, beamed ceilings, and antique counters and fixtures are a warm compliment to the fabric and quilting supplies found inside.
Sharing the freight station with us is the Depot Restaurant. When you visit us be sure to include some time for lunch or dinner.
Winter Weather Policy
If Staunton City or Augusta County Schools are delayed or closed,
please call to make sure we are here before you come into shop.
Rachel W.N. Brown - the author
 Rachel is the author of Adoration Quilts, applique nativity projects, published by Martingale & Co. Rachel created projects based on the nativity as well as including scriptural background and international Christmas practices. Use your favorite applique method to recreate these inspirational pieces.
 Rachel also wrote Small Camel Follows the Star, a children's book (not about quilting)
published by Albert Whitman & Co. While Rachel was researching Christmas stories for Adoration Quilts, she realized that there wasn't a children's book about a camel. She created a story based around the smallest camel in the coral. His master Balthezar decides to take him on a long journey to carry a special bundle to the new king, baby Jesus.
Signed copies of books are always available at the shop.
Rachel is married to Dennis and lives in Mt. Sidney with her Miniature Schnauzer, Jesse, and cat, Zoey. Along with her 'grandcats' Sissy and Kahn who come to live with her after Greg (son) moved into a 'no pets' apartment. She loves to write and cook as much as she loves to quilt.
Kay Shirey
In 2006 Kay joined her mother, Rachel, full time here at the shop. Learning from her mom, she has been sewing since she was 9, but didn't really pick up quilting till after college. Things just come natural to her since she has a wonderful example to follow, her mother.
Kay is married to Travis and lives in New Hope with their cat, Gus. They enjoy going to Virginia Tech football games and hanging out with their 'Hokie Family'.
Our Staff
 Dianne Louvet is an experienced quilter and excellent teacher. She has been quilting since 1979 and uses her experience to help customers and students with patterns, color selection, and techniques. Dianne also teaches our Thimbleberries Club the 4th Saturday of each month.
 Janet King was taught at an early age to sew by her grandmother which continued in school. Her interest in quilting started about 10 years ago. She has attended several quilting retreats in New Hampshire, one which was taught by Carol Doak. Janet enjoys teaching classes and helping customers as they come into Rachel’s for assistance, and adores her other co-workers.
“I love to learn, laugh and smile to pass forward. Nothing is better than a happy customer and that makes me proud.” Janet lives in Middlebrook with her wonderful husband Larry, who supports her in her dreams as she supports him in his horses.
 Susan Shiflet
 Bobbie Bareham is originally from the Finger Lakes area of NY. She discovered quilting during a few hours of free time as a farmer's wife and quickly became addicted. Quilting brought her to know some women (now life long friends) that taught her as they sat, sewed, and socialized. After retiring and settling into the Shenandoah Valley, she discovered Rachel's Quilt Patch and enjoys being a part of such a warm and friendly group of people.
Tina Smiley
Tabatha Quilts for Charity
 A longtime RQP tradition is making quilts for area children in need. We started with donating quilts to children in foster care so that they always have something of their own, no matter where they were living.
The program has grown to include children in domestic violence situations, as well as young children in traumatic situations who come into contact with the Staunton Police Department and are comforted with a 'Tabatha Quilt'.
We invite you to come pick up a kit and help us with this special project to help local children in need.
About the Historic Wharf District
The first question visitors ask about the historic Wharf Shopping District is: Why is it called the Wharf when there isn't any water?
Truthfully, no one knows how the area first earned the Wharf nickname. Water does flow through the Wharf in the form of Lewis Creek, which can be seen in front of the White Star Mills building and at the east end of Byers Street. Lewis Creek traverses most of the Wharf out of sight beneath the historic buildings. The presence of Lewis Creek led to the first of many disasters, both natural and manmade, that have the plagued the Wharf during it's history.
A Harbor?
After its charter as an independent city in 1871, Staunton enjoyed a robust economy largely due to its location at the center of many converging rail lines. The Wharf area grew as the center of distribution of goods in and out of the city. Warehouses, wholesale grocers, and liveries were built adjacent to the C&O train depot to take advantage of the bustling trade. Thus we have the first theory for the name - the Wharf area became a land-locked version of the shipping centers found in harbor cities.
1896 Water Disaster
Then on September 29, 1896 a hurricane-spawned storm deluged the city with unprecedented rains through the night. A wall of water swept down Lewis Creek into the Wharf, washing homes and warehouses off their foundations and leaving huge pits and furrows, and even flopping fish, where city streets and sidewalks had been. Six people and 27 horses drowned. The damage in today's dollars is estimated to have been more than $10 million. Perhaps, the Wharf was a rueful nickname derived from this sudden flood of water in nearly navigable depths.
1911 Fire
After repair and rebuilding, the Wharf continued to be Staunton's center of trade until 1911. It was then that the second major disaster hit the area. On March 20, 1911, a leaky gasoline cook stove ignited a fire that lasted 7 hours, once again devastating the Wharf. For many of the merchants, some of whom had rebuilt once already, this was too much. Others, however, feeling that Fate surely had finished wreaking havoc on the area, raised their businesses from the ashes, and the Wharf was born again. A newspaper report about the fire suggests that the nickname 'Wharf' was a joking reference to tiny Lewis Creek's presence in the area.
1940 Explosion
On the evening of June 3, 1940, fire once again visited the Wharf. A half-filled gas tank in a vehicle stored in one of the Wharf's warehouses exploded without explanation. The warehouse, owned by L.B. Bosserman, became a tower of flame, filling the night sky downtown with clouds of sparks. Staunton's well-equipped Fire Department arrived quickly at the scene, and controlled the blaze within an hour, despite series of minor explosions set off by the blaze. Devastation to the Wharf was not as extensive this time around, in part because many lots remained vacant after the 1911 fire. Twisted metal was all that was left of Bosserman's warehouse, currently the site of the Johnson Street parking lot.
Today Shopping and Business
Today the Wharf's beautiful historic row buildings house galleries, specialty shops, restaurants, and a coffee shop. Painted signs on the Middlebrook-side of the buildings reflect the area's historic origin as an agricultural center. The graceful train station has been beautifully restored, offering two restaurants & Rachel's Quilt Patch. Shops and businesses encircle the area along Lewis and Johnson Streets. Despite the past disaster, the Wharf remains one of Staunton's most beautiful and interesting historic areas.
Wharf information taken from Wharf Coalition Brochure © 2006
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