In 2011, Robin Laino was working in corporate finance. Tired of “the game” and the drain on her creativity and time to create, she knew it was time to take a leap of faith. That year, she resigned from her job and opened The Quilted Nest fabric store with a goal to share her love of sewing and quilting with the local community.

Located in Collingswood, New Jersey (just 20 minutes across the river from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), this quaint shop attracts sewists, quilters, and crafters. “Collingswood has that small town ‘Main Street’ feel to it,” Robin says. “Our current location is the lobby of the old theatre building. People love the historic features of our shop, from the marquees to the original chandeliers. It suits us and we suit it!”

Inspiring and educating all generations of stitching enthusiasts, The Quilted Nest features an updated aesthetic but still honors the long pastime of quilting and its traditions. “We are a modern fabric shop, but still embrace the connection to all the quilters who came before us and led the way to the craft,” Robin explains.

While at The Quilted Nest, you can buy fabric, notions, patterns, and tools to get you on your way to creative bliss! They also provide longarm quilting services and are an authorized dealer for Bernina, Brother, and Handi Quilter sewing machines. “Customers know when they buy their machines from us that they are benefitting from our knowledge and support. We are always available to teach them the ins and outs of their machine as well as troubleshoot.”

More than just a place to buy craft supplies, The Quilted Nest has become a go-to location for sewists of all levels to hone their craft. They host sewing classes from beginner sewing and quilting to advanced quilting techniques and machine embroidery! In fact, they are one of the only South Jersey shops to embrace and promote the art of machine embroidery, which sets them apart from other businesses.

Crafters know they can count on The Quilted Nest as a social sewing hub, with a weekly open sewing time each Thursday as well as an open sewing time just for hand stitching every other week. “We frequently do charity sewing events,” Robin adds. “We are always collecting and sewing for Ryan's Case for Smiles,  a group that donates handmade pillowcases to kids in the hospital. This year we hosted a sew-in for foster care children.”

Using the SIY-Sew it Yourself program has helped The Quilted Nest easily provide patterns and in-person sewing instruction to beginners. “SIY fits into our class planning as it allows us to teach our beginning sewing series with everything we need to run a successful class already planned out for us! The pillowcase pattern is a regular handout for the Ryan's Case sew-ins and there is always something new to add to our calendar to fill in fast, fun classes.”

In addition to the open sewing times and classes, customers of The Quilted Nest eagerly look forward to receiving their quarterly subscription box. It’s called the Birdie Box, and Robin says people regularly tell her it’s their favorite! In fact, bringing fun surprises to customers is what it’s all about for Robin and her staff. When they host an event, for instance, they tend to go “all out” for their attendees by offering prizes, themed gifts, lunch, and an overall fun time together with like-minded sewists!

The Quilted Nest regularly partners with a local civic organization by lending its classroom space for other types of crafting events. “Hosting these types of outside functions brings more people into our shop and exposes them to the things we offer,” Robin says. “We also promote our beginner series via our Facebook Lives.”

Many of their sewing classes have an in-store and virtual option in order to attract more people. “As we come out of the effects of COVID, we are finding more people that would not have been interested in participating virtually, now, not only comfortable with the format but requesting more and more virtual options!” To meet these demands, they are staying up to date on all of the newest techniques as well as technology. They recently brought in a new OESD Designs on Demand kiosk, which gives customers an easy way to purchase machine embroidery designs while making sure The Quilted Nest gets the credit for the sale.

Through years of experience interacting with the sewing community, there’s one thing that Robin values above all: “The sewing and quilting community never fails to impress me with the level of giving and sharing that you don't find many other places,” she says. “We're dedicated to providing stitchers with a friendly and supportive atmosphere that promotes creativity, fellowship, and achievement!”

The Quilted Nest
823 Haddon Ave
Collingswood, NJ 08108