News

Our Christmas and New Year holiday opening hours at Direct Sewing Machines & Supplies, including in-store trading times, closure dates, and online order information so you can plan your sewing projects with confidence.

School holidays are the perfect time to introduce kids to sewing. A sewing machine keeps children engaged for hours, builds creativity, teaches a lifelong skill, and encourages screen-free learning at home. Discover why sewing is one of the best holiday activities and explore beginner sewing machines ideal for families and first-time users.

Choosing between the Bernina L 890 and the Pfaff Admire Air 7000 can be challenging if you are investing in a premium coverlock machine. This comparison breaks down features, ease of use, stitch performance, and value to help garment makers choose the right machine with confidence.

Learning to knit is easier and more enjoyable with the right tools. Discover beginner knitting kits, soft merino yarn, quality needles and must-have accessories to start your knitting journey with confidence in New Zealand.

Looking to replace a 30 year old sewing machine in New Zealand? This guide compares the best modern mechanical sewing machines that are simple, robust, and easy to use, perfect for sewists who want reliability without electronics.

Choosing the right sewing machine needle can completely change how your sewing feels and how your stitches look. This guide breaks down the Madeira needles designed for household sewing machines, explaining when to use each type, how needle sizes affect your results, and why matching the right needle to your fabric and thread leads to smoother sewing, fewer thread breaks, and better-looking projects every time.

Celebrate Aotearoa with our latest Kiwiana fabric panels. Featuring native birds, NZ landscapes, summer scenes and floral designs, these panels are perfect to quilt, frame, hang, gift or keep. A timeless collection of New Zealand themed fabrics for quilters, crafters and gift makers.

Pattern weights are essential for accurate cutting, tracing and pattern drafting. This 2026 NZ guide compares all our pattern weights, including NZ-made heavy weights, Prym mini weights, Sew Easy 75 g designs and dual pin cushion weights. Learn how to choose the right pattern weight for your sewing workflow, from delicate fabrics to heavy coating textiles, and explore related drafting tools, set squares, and pattern-making guides.

Explore our full range of tracing paper for sewing and pattern making. From dot cross drafting rolls to coloured chaco paper and transfer sheets, these tools help you trace patterns accurately, mark fabrics cleanly and preserve your originals. Perfect for beginners, students and professional designers across New Zealand.

Looking for the best sewing machine carry bags in NZ? Explore top options from Singer and Janome, including padded carry cases, stylish colour options and the popular trolley bag for sewing classes. Perfect for domestic machines, overlockers and safe everyday storage.

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for someone who loves sewing or crafting? This NZ Christmas gift guide features premium tools, beginner friendly machines, stocking fillers and creative essentials from Direct Sewing. Explore shears, irons, knitting supplies, Prym notions and unique gifts for makers of all ages.

We attended the Otago Polytechnic Graduate Fashion Show 2025 and were proud to present the top award of the night to Nick Medelnik. The event showcased impressive creativity and real world industry skills from fashion students across every year level. Here is our full wrap-up and how Direct Sewing Machines and Supplies continues to support New Zealand’s next generation of designers.

Direct Sewing Machines & Supplies celebrates outstanding student creativity at Massey University’s Exposure Exhibition 2025. We proudly awarded the Direct Sewing Award for Outstanding Design to Rachael Mueller and continue to support NZ’s student sewing and fashion design community.

Kids love creating things they can actually use, and a mini sewing machine is the perfect first step. This Christmas, our guide highlights the best kids’ first sewing machines in New Zealand, including the Elna 525 Mini range and the fun Elna MI12 Minions machine. Paired with the Birch Handy Sewing Kit, these make thoughtful, practical gifts that inspire creativity and confidence. Perfect for beginners, young sewists and Christmas gifting in NZ.

Black November has officially begun and we’ve launched huge specials across our entire website. Fresh stock has just landed from our China trip, including Prym tools, Amann Rasant threads, SABA C, Omnigrid rulers and more. With cost-plus pricing on Brother, Janome and Elna, plus massive markdowns on Ricoma and industrial machines, this is the best time of the year to upgrade your sewing setup. Shop the full Black November sale now and enjoy fast NZ shipping and unbeatable value.

Discover the best outdoor and marine sewing threads in New Zealand, from Gutermann Outdoor 40 for domestic machines to Amann Outdoor Pro, Coats Dabond, and A&E SunStop for professional use. Learn which UV-resistant thread suits your project, how to match Tex sizes, and why bonded polyester lasts longest in NZ’s harsh conditions.

Getting perfect stitches comes down to balance — the right stitch length, thread tension, needle size, and machine maintenance. Learn the starting “magic numbers” for different fabrics, why premium threads like Amann SABA, Gutermann and Madeira improve stitch consistency, how to match needle size to your fabric, and how simple cleaning and servicing keeps your machine performing beautifully. A must-read for anyone wanting professional-looking stitches every time.

Polycotton thread is the go-to choice for NZ sewers, quilters, and bag makers who want strength, softness, and versatility. Discover why Amann Rasant 120, 75, and Oxella, along with Coats Terko Satin, are trusted for quilting, upholstery, and even dyeing in the film industry for perfect colour-matched results.

Learn why Gutermann, Amann SABA and Madeira core spun polyester threads are the best choice for sewing and overlocking in New Zealand. Durable, colourfast and machine-friendly threads for industrial and domestic sewing.

Discover why Omnigrid rulers — made in the USA and trusted by quilters worldwide — are now available in New Zealand at Direct Sewing Machines & Supplies. Shop the full range of rulers and the Prym handle for ultimate precision.

Explore the complete Prym VARIO Creative Tool system — the all-in-one press for adding snaps, eyelets, rivets and fasteners with professional precision. This guide covers every compatible Prym VARIO Tool Set, from eyelets to Colour Snaps, plus expert tips and FAQs for sewists, bag makers and DIY crafters in New Zealand.

Looking for a faster, easier way to smooth out wrinkles? We’ve compared the best handheld steamers in New Zealand, including Philips, Jiffy, and TRA models. From compact foldable designs to high-performance steamers with style mats, discover which one suits your wardrobe best. Ideal for quick touch-ups and crease removal, these steamers are a must-have for fresh, wrinkle-free clothes in minutes.

A full NZ guide to mini irons for sewing, quilting, and travel — featuring Birch, Bohin, and Oliso models plus top ironing mats to pair with them.

Direct Sewing Machines & Supplies offers New Zealand’s complete bag sewing solution — from Newlong, Yaohan, and Zoje machines to quality threads, needles, and accessories. Our experienced technicians also provide full repairs and servicing for all bag sewing machines, keeping your equipment running reliably year after year.