Well hello again! A few folks have asked me lately where in New Zealand I shop for supplies, and I am not in the business of keeping you from excellent sources, so I thought I’d compile a list all in one place! I’m keeping this list to businesses within New Zealand that I have shopped with for supplies other than fabric and yarn*. I already have a New Zealand fabric stores blog post, and it would be too unruly to duplicate all that here - so this list is for all the non-fabric accoutrements that go along with a DIY life!
I will say I do still occasionally have to order internationally, but I always check my local options first because international shipping is expensive, slow, and it sometimes doesn’t turn up at all! As for the local. ones - I’ve tried to sort them by project type/category to keep things organised, but have a quick scroll through the whole list if you’re looking for something specific!
If you have a shop you’d like me to include (either one you own or one you just love to support!) Send me an email at hellokat.makes at gmail - or fill out the contact form on the about page ;)
*some fabric stores have made this list - mostly quilt shops - but only on the merit of what they sell other than fabric
**none of my links are sponsored - if you want to support my work there’s a kofi link in the sidebar <3
Hardware (grommets, rivets, snaps, buckles, etc.)
GDL Trading
Summary: Metal findings and hardware, leather and saddlery, bag and belt fittings. Website is best visited on a desktop computer.
Location: Auckland, but the shop is online-only
What I shop for: This is the first place I look for rivets, grommets, buckles, and snap fasteners. It’s usually the least expensive of the hardware options. I’ve also purchased a few tool items - punch sets and hardware setting tools. They do sell leather as well but I haven’t ordered any yet.
Lapco for Leather
Summary: Leather and upholstery wholesaler which also sells hardware. They market themselves more as an industry supplier, but they have an online shop with no minimums.
Location: Eden Terrace, Auckland
What I shop for: Hardware, Leatherworking supplies (dyes, stitching threads, tools), and occasionally leather. I’ve purchased more specialised leathers from them as well - the thicker suede for my work bag, sole bend and pigskin for shoemaking.
Additional notes: You can only order hardware and “small items” online - they have a showroom but it’s just leather. If you do want to get some leather, going in person is a great option so you can get a feel for what they have.
Kiwi Bagineers
Summary: Boutique bagmaking shop with fancier, specialist supplies including bag hardware, buckles, zippers, and bag interfacings as well as patterns.
Location: Online only
What I shop for: They have the very cool iridescent hardware! Also strap connectors and unique looking hardware that GDL doesn’t carry, and zips by the metre.
Additional notes: They are one of the more expensive options on the list, but they carry unique things that I haven’t been able to find for less anywhere else - everything I’ve gotten has been excellent quality.
Greenbeans Nz
Summary: Greenbeans NZ is a ‘modern cloth nappies’ supplies shop. They sell absorbent fabrics, waterproof shell fabrics, elastics, etc. as well as snaps to make nappies and cloth menstrual pads. PUL, wicking, and absorbent fabrics that can be quite difficult to source elsewhere.
Location: Mt Maunganui, New Zealand warehouse. Available for online order pickup if you’re local but not a retail location.
What I shop for: KAM snaps, prong snaps. One day when I’m ready for a hardware press I’ll order it from their site.
Shoemaking
Footcom
Summary: Shoemaking and componentry supplier. Good range of hardware, stiffeners, and things like contact cement and cork filler.
Location: Petone, Wellington - Warehouse. I haven’t been in person, but friends have said they’re able to shop directly from the warehouse - you may wish to call ahead!
What I shop for: Sole material, thermoplastic stiffeners, glue for shoemaking, resin sole sheets, etc.
Additional notes: You can’t shop directly from their website - I make a list of what I would like to know the price for, email the sales email, get a response, and then tell them what I’d like and they generate an invoice. It’s a bit of admin but they’re usually super quick to respond. Shipping is also quite quick and inexpensive, even for bulky items.
Texon
Summary: Texon used to be a huge deal in New Zealand - a supplier and manufacturer of shoemaking components that had hundreds of employees. Since most production is overseas these days, it’s been scaled back to one warehouse and a couple of employees.
Location: Onehunga, Auckland
What I shop for: Shoemaking tools, hardware, shanks, midsoles, insoles, soles, thermoplastic sheets, heels, unit soles and MUCH more
Additional notes: They don’t sell online - you can either call and ask if they have something over the phone or go in to the warehouse and ask for a cash sale. It’s super industrial, in a super industrial area but they are happy to support home shoemakers!
Embroidery
Direct Sewing Machines & Supplies
Summary: Mainly a sewing machine distributor - they sell juki, brother, singer, janome, and elnas to name a few. They also sell commercial embroidery machines. Aside from that, a small haberdashery selection, an excellent selection of machine embroidery threads, and pattern drafting, pressing, and general sewing supplies that are hard to find elsewhere.
Location: Henderson, Auckland
What I shop for: I’m a BERNINA fan so I haven’t bought any machines, though they’re always fun to look at! I get some haberdashery items from here, but they’re a super handy source for machine embroidery thread and patternmaking supplies! I also bought my gravity feed iron from them.
Ribbon Rose
Summary: Quilting, Knitting, Needlecraft shop which is also a BERNINA retailer.
Location: Mt Wellington, Auckland
What I shop for: embroidery thread, quilt items like wool batting and wide format backing fabrics - sometimes fat quarters and quilt fabric though these can be expensive. Clover sewing tools and handwork items like specialist needles.
Additional notes: They have the best (that I’ve found) selection of hand embroidery supplies in all of Auckland - unfortunately the target demographic of this shop skews towards grandmotherly types. If you look a bit pink-haired, young, or otherwise not a grandmother, you may find yourself treated a bit differently, depending on which shop person you interact with.
Beads/Tambour Embroidery
The Bead Hold
Summary: Online and in-store bead and jewelry-making componentry. Lots of things like clasps, art beads, wire, and pliers - plus some kits and books.
Location: Stratford, Taranaki
What I shop for: small quantites of seed beads, wire and threads, jewelry clasps. I also ordered my bead spinner from here!
Additional notes: I’d love to visit in person one day but for now I’ll shop online. It’s still less expensive for me to order larger quantities of seed beads for tambour embroidery from shops in the US, but the bead hold is great for smaller stuff!
Mosaic Trader NZ
Summary: One day I’d really love to try some mosaic art! That’s the majority of what these guys sell - however, they also have a small selection of beads at great prices.
Location: Kamo, Whangarei - shop is run out of the owner’s home, check the website or call ahead to make an appointment.
What I shop for: Bugle beads, and maybe someday mosaic supplies!
Quilting Supplies
Katipatch
Summary: Quilting supplies and quilt-based haberdashery items
Location: Katikati, NZ
What I shop for: wide format quilt backing, quilt batting, and occasionally quilt accessories and tools. They also have a good selection of stable interfacings and harder to find things like teflon sheets.
All Things BERNINA
Summary: My preferred BERNINA shop! Small plug, if you’re looking to purchase a BERNINA machine, these ladies are super super helpful and knowledgeable!
Location: Westgate, Auckland
What I shop for: Sewing machine accessories, notions, and haberdashery items. They also sell Horn sewing furniture, I love the cutting table I have from them.
Grandmother’s Garden
Summary: A quilt shop with a bit of everything - lots of fabric and patterns, but an especially great range of notions and supplies for hand sewing, embroidery, and quilting.
Location: Gordonton
What I shop for: I found this shop online in my search for my very most favourite EVER glass head pins. In finding them, discovered that they have an incredible range of other pins, notions, and tools in general that I haven’t seen elsewhere.
Buttons
Geoff’s Henderson
Summary: Haberdashery and “emporium” shop with just a little bit of everything. Most of the fabric is unlabelled so you need to have a good understanding of what the thing you’re looking for feels like - but the prices are excellent. Also sewing supplies, craft items, hardware, ping pong balls… glow sticks… fishing gear….
Location: Henderson
What I shop for: BEST selection of buttons and zips in one place in all of Auckland. Haberdashery, inexpensive interfacings, funky hardware supplies and craft objects.
Geoff’s Mt Eden
Summary: You’d be forgiven for thinking this place is related to the one above - originally it was three stores owned by one person and they were eventually sold off to two separate owners.. each has a very silly habit of pretending the others don’t exist. They have different product ranges but all very much a similar vibe!
Location: Mt Eden is the one I’ve visited but there is also a location in Brown’s Bay
What I shop for: Haberdashery, thread, buttons, weird hardware that is hard to find elsewhere - glue gun sticks - you never know what you’ll find at Geoff’s!
Additional notes: This place is dark and cramped but think of it like a treasure hunt!
Wishcraft
Summary: Decorative kids’ hair bow supplies retailer - they sell bows, ribbon, elastic, specialised hardware, and other supplies to make your own.
Location: Online only
What I shop for: Self covered buttons! I have historically really struggled with self covered buttons but their kits are amazing - metal components, and a little applicator set as well to make the process as easy as possible. I haven’t ordered anything other than self covered button supplies from them.
Interfacing, Hair Canvas, Tailoring
Hawes and Freer
Summary: Hawes and Freer positions themselves as an industry supplier for New Zealand fashion brands, and has a range of fabrics including bridal, as well as every type of specialised interfacing, interlining, and componentry you might need for a tailored garment. They also sell buttons and have a curated selection of Merchant and Mills and Sohmo tools.
Location: Morningside, Auckland (Showroom - you shop from swatches, fabrics are held in a warehouse next door)
What I shop for: Tailoring supplies like shoulder pads, hair canvas, and tape - as well as high quality, extremely lovely and reasonably priced interfacing.
Zips that are nicer than the ones at Spotlight
YKK Distributors Oceania
Summary: This is the head office for YKK in New Zealand
Website: none
Location: Manurewa, Auckland (no retail shop, call or email only)
What I shop for: Extremely Specific Zippers
Additional notes: This is not a retail location and they don’t have a website, but you can call and place a cash order over the phone. My usual method is to find the colour code for the zip I want to order, figure out which size and which material along with what type of pull, and then either email or call. They need as much detail as possible, and they’re used to dealing with wholesale accounts so they can be a bit gruff when they find out you want to make them go through the admin of sending out one zipper.. but they’ll do it!
Vinyl/HTV
Design Supplies NZ
Summary: Heat transfer and adhesive vinyl, blanks, sublimation supplies, and more. They have a delightful range of patterned vinyl.
Location: Pukekohe, Auckland - retail and online
Dyes and Dyeing supplies
Takapuna Art Supplies
Summary: Art supply store that has the usual suspects BUT also happens to have a full range of Jacquard Fiber-Reactive dyes for cotton at the best price I’ve found so far in New Zealand.
Location: Helensville, Auckland
What I shop for: Jacquard products - mostly dyes
Teri Dyes NZ
Summary: small supplier of fibre-reactive and acid dyes, as well as the chemicals required for them.
Location: online only
What I shop for: Fiber-reactive and acid dyes, soda ash
Additional notes: It’s still more cost effective for me to do a yearly bulk purchase of dyes from Dharma Trading in the states, but buying things like soda ash, urea, etc. it more cost effective if it stays in the country - and sometimes you need a tiny topup of one or two colours!