When I finished my list of fabric shops in Auckland a few months ago, it felt like a huge list, and made me incredibly thankful for all the options I have as a sewist in this fabulous city. But! Lo and behold (and why was I even surprised?) I missed a few. A few people had suggestions for places I hadn't been, and a few pointed out that Geoff's actually has two other locations aside from my local Mt. Eden one. The suggestions rolled in, I though I'd make some additions to my post, but then the ladies at Sewing Connections Auckland (my new in-person sewing group!) - held their annual Fabric Shopping Bus Tour - we visited five shops, and only one that I'd previously been to!
I decided that a new list was in order. Without further ado - here are even more places to buy fabric in Auckland!
Geoff's Emporium - Henderson
Intro: Geoff's also has a location in Mt Eden, which happens to be my go-to spot for emergency supplies. A bit further afield, the Henderson location is bigger, brighter, and with a much larger selection of fabrics and haberdashery than the Mt Eden location. Hands down, the largest collection of buttons and zippers I've seen in this city.
- Location: Henderson, central.
- Ease of access: Don't attempt the train, there is a bus stop nearby, but you'd be best off in a car.
- Parking: Plenty!
- Size: huge! A bit cramped for all the fabric, notions, and haberdashery they've got stuffed in to their building!
- Fabric Selection: Apparel fabrics, (lower end), curtains, novelty fabric like furs and wild prints, etc.
- Cost: Inexpensive to moderate. Independently owned.
The fabric selection isn't the main reason you should visit this place. Go here if you need zips, buttons, hardware, or any strange haberdashery item. Just check out that whole aisle of buttons!
Smart Dress Fabrics
Intro: A couple of my friends have recommended this place: a versatile selection of fabrics that changes with the seasons (in winter, quite a lot of coating and suiting options!) plus polyester satins and shiny fabrics for costuming, a great selection of linen shirting, and a lot of swimwear fabric too! The gentleman who owns the business was a tailor for decades and is a real fountain of information.
- Location: Henderson, central.
- Ease of access: Best by car or bus.
- Parking: Enough carparks, though they might fill up on a busy day.
- Size: Decently sized, and packed to the ceiling with fabrics
- Fabric Selection: Apparel fabrics, suitings, pacific island prints, swimwear, shirting fabrics, and a bit of activewear selection. Limited zips, threads, and haberdashery.
- Cost: Inexpensive to moderate. Independently owned.
This place seems to cycle through fabrics quickly, so it's a great one to work visiting into a routine as the seasons change. I found a positively fabulous (and only $14/m) 100% linen that is grey on one side and a light mauve on the other, and I bought enough to swaddle an army because I couldn't choose between pants and a jacket. Both! I also found some really great poly-spandex in the suiting section - I'd never in a thousand years use it for a proper suit, but Jon has some hiking pants with identical fabric content. and the fabric also looks and feels identical. Hiking pants I shall have!
Moreland Fabrics
Intro: This place is across the street from Lynn Mall, which happens to have a delightful selection of little cafes and restaurants, plus a movie theatre with one of the cheapest ticket prices in Auckland - if you're into that sort of thing. Plus, you could take a non-sewing friend to the mall to browse while you go wander around the fabric shop!
- Location: Lynfield
- Ease of access: Best by car or bus.
- Parking: Loads, plus overflow at the mall.
- Size: Big, and easy to navigate.
- Fabric Selection: Apparel fabrics, suitings, pants fabric, a lot of water repellant fabrics, curtain and upholstery, and polyester chiffons and satins.
- Cost: moderate. Independently owned.
I didn't find anything I loved at this shop, but the range couldn't be faulted. You'll find a lot of basics here - denims, affordable suitings and shirtings, and a variety of rayon prints. I was particularly fascinated with their nylon rain-repellant fabric - there was so much of it! A good selection if you're looking for moderate quality and moderate prices.
Intro: This is a cute little shop in milford that has a little bit of everything to help with all your projects: yarn, fabric, paint, buttons, haberdashery, needle felting - really a varied selection. They're down the street from another yarn shop as well, so if you're a knitter or crocheter, it's a two for one deal!
- Location: Milford
- Ease of access: Best by car or bus.
- Parking: Street parking only
- Size: Small, but thoughtfully stocked
- Fabric Selection: Apparel fabrics, suitings, pants fabric, a lot of water repellant fabrics, curtain and upholstery, and polyester chiffons and satins.
- Cost: moderate. Independently owned.
The first think you'll notice about Craftworkz is their wildly decorated front window! Apparently it is prone to frequent re-dressing, but when I visited it was a full-sized crochet granny spinning wool from a yarny sheep onto a full sized yarn bombed spinning wheel! Wild. It's a good place to snag a quick spool of thread or some snaps for a project if you're local, but it's a bit too far out of the way for me to warrant regular visits. They did have a very tempting faux fur selection, and some very nice elastics I hadn't seen elsewhere!
If you haven't already, check out my first Auckland Fabric Shopping Guide - and do let me know in the comments if I've missed any of your favorite hidden treasures!