About Us
About the Nimble Needle
The Nimble Needle has been serving stitching enthusiasts in the New Jersey and Philadelphia area for over 25 years. In March 2006 Karen Milano has proudly become the shop’s third owner. Stop in, call, or send an email if your curious about what’s new, need a special item, or just looking to fulfill that craving to add to your stash!
The Nimble Needle is a TNNA member and offers a 10% discount to ANG, EGA, and Pomegranate Guild members.
We are located at 45 South Centre Street, Merchantville, NJ 08109. You can reach us by phone at 856 354 8100 or by email at karen@nimbleneedle.net We relocated the shop to new quarters in February 2017, so stop in and see the shop.
About the Owner, Karen Milano
I began stitching as a young child, maybe 6. My first projects were stamped pillow cases that I remember doing during the lazy summer days at the shore. Shortly after this I took to the machine and made my first outfit at age 8. Pale blue polyester elastic waist pants and a matching smock of sorts with cap sleeves and patch pockets. I continued my joy with the sewing machine and hand stitching through grade school and teenage years. Back then it was crewel, I loved learning and using all the different embroidery stitches. Crewel kits were easy to come by and within a few years seemed like my family had more finished and framed pieces than we knew what to do with. During my college years at Drexel and into my 20’s I didn’t do much stitching and when I came back to it cross stitch had taken over. I did my share though really missed surface embroidery with the various techniques, textures and room for interpretation. There was no internet then so I could only get what I could find at shops and mail order. When I asked shop owners about crewel they looked at me like I was from the Stone Ages. So I did cross stitch, but never felt like there was a sign of me or my personality when finished (other than perseverance). And then I found needlepoint and life was good. So many threads, so many canvas’s, so many stitches and creative designers. The whole craft just keeps multiplying becoming more interesting and challenging. I mostly enjoy stitching for the process and less about the end product. It justifies all the projects that have been started in hopes that most will someday get finished.
Looking back during my non-stitching years I received a Bachelor of Science at Drexel in Interior Design and then worked for Architecture and Interior Design firms for 10 years and then as a consultant for another 10. In school I learned much about fine art, color and composition. While working I used my understanding of color and light along with increasing my knowledge of art history, style, and detail. Through the years I had the pleasure to work and get to know many interesting people who exposed me to so much about art and its significance in everyday life. Though I have much to catch up on when it comes to “business” I can say much of my background through interests, studies and experience has given me skills to be a needlework shop owner that few others can equal.