For anyone planning new curtains, reviving a much-loved chair or searching for a fabric that does not look like everything else, Martha’s Furnishing Fabrics has become a familiar name.
Based in Newmarket, Auckland, Martha’s Furnishing Fabrics is an independent fabric store specialising in high-quality curtaining, upholstery and furnishing fabrics. Since opening in 2003, the business has grown into a destination for homeowners, interior designers, upholsterers, home sewers and creative professionals across New Zealand.
Its appeal comes down to more than the size of the range. Martha’s combines distinctive fabrics, knowledgeable service and a refreshingly approachable attitude, making the process of choosing fabric feel far less intimidating.
A Fabric Collection with Genuine Variety
Martha’s stocks more than 1,400 fabrics sourced from New Zealand and around the world. The collection includes Belgian linen, New Zealand-made wool, commercial-grade velvet, cotton, outdoor fabrics, sheers, prints and durable upholstery textiles.
There is plenty for those who prefer quiet natural tones, but Martha’s is equally comfortable with colour, pattern and fabrics that make themselves known. Alongside dependable plains and timeless textures, shoppers will find florals, stripes, gingham, botanical prints and limited-edition designs.
This balance allows the store to cater to very different projects and personalities. One customer may be looking for understated linen curtains, while the next wants to cover a chair in a print that could never be accused of being shy.
Fabrics That Are Actually in Stock
One of the biggest points of difference is that Martha’s keeps its fabric range on-site.
Many furnishing fabrics are traditionally ordered through wholesalers, which can mean extended lead times and uncertainty around availability. At Martha’s, customers can see what is in stock and take it home or have it dispatched without waiting for an offshore order to arrive.
This is especially valuable for renovations and interior projects where delays in one area can hold up everything else. It also means designers and home sewers can plan around fabric that is genuinely available rather than falling in love with something that may arrive several months later.
A Showroom Designed for Inspiration
Fabric is difficult to judge from a small folded sample. Texture, drape and scale all become much clearer when the material is hanging properly.
At the Martha’s Newmarket showroom, much of the range is displayed at full length. Visitors can walk through the fabrics, compare colours and see how different textiles move and respond to light.
It makes the showroom feel less like a traditional retail store and more like an enormous, highly tactile inspiration board. The only real danger is arriving with one project in mind and leaving with ideas for four more.
Making Online Fabric Shopping Easier
Martha’s has also made its collection accessible to customers outside Auckland through its online fabric store and nationwide delivery service.
Buying fabric online can be tricky because screen colours vary and texture cannot be properly understood through a photograph. Martha’s addresses this with a free sampling service, allowing customers to compare fabrics inside their own homes before placing a larger order.
The website’s Fabric Finder also lets shoppers narrow the collection by colour, fibre, style and intended use. This helps turn an extensive range into a more manageable shortlist, particularly for customers who know the look they want but not the exact fabric name.
More Than Fabric by the Metre
Martha’s is not limited to selling fabric. The company works with skilled local makers to offer custom curtains, blinds, cushions, headboards and pea mattresses.
These services give customers the option to take a project from initial fabric selection through to a completed piece. It is particularly useful for anyone with unusually sized windows, a specific interior concept or an understandable desire to avoid wrestling with a sewing machine.
The company also sells ready-made linen curtains, cushions, curtain hardware, trims, tassels, remnants and other finishing touches.
Supporting Natural Fibres and Local Design
Natural fibres feature prominently throughout the Martha’s range. Belgian and European linens are joined by New Zealand-made wool, offering materials valued for their durability, texture and ability to age gracefully.
The store also supports local creativity through collections including Tutti Studio, an Auckland-designed textile range known for bold stripes, gingham, wool bouclé and playful colour.
This combination of international sourcing and New Zealand design gives Martha’s collection a distinct character. It feels curated rather than generic, with room for both enduring interior staples and fabrics that are simply fun.
Why Martha’s Stands Out
Martha’s has built its reputation by combining scale with personality. The range is extensive, but the experience still feels personal. Customers can browse independently, ask for practical advice, request samples or work with the team on a fully made-to-measure project.
Its female-led team brings a mixture of textile knowledge, creative experience and genuine enthusiasm for interiors. That expertise matters when choosing between fabrics that may look similar at first glance but perform very differently once made into curtains or placed on a busy family sofa.
After more than two decades, Martha’s remains a strong example of what an independent New Zealand retailer can offer: distinctive products, specialist knowledge, local craftsmanship and service from people who genuinely understand what they sell.
For Kiwi homeowners and design professionals looking beyond mass-produced interiors, Martha’s is not simply a place to buy fabric. It is a place to begin an idea.
