Appletons

Appletons Tapestry & Crewel Wool Threads in New Zealand

Discover the timeless quality of Appletons wool threads at The Ribbon Rose, your New Zealand destination for this iconic British brand. Made in England since 1835, Appletons is renowned worldwide for producing exceptional tapestry and crewel wool threads, trusted by embroiderers for generations.

We’re proud to stock the full Appletons colour range in NZ, giving New Zealand stitchers access to hundreds of beautifully dyed shades - all in one place.

Pure British Wool, Crafted for Serious Stitching

Appletons threads are made from 100% pure British wool, dyed and spun in Yorkshire using traditional methods. The result is a thread that feels soft in the hand, holds its shape while stitching, and delivers rich, consistent colour across every skein. It’s quality you can see and feel from the first stitch to the last.

Hundreds of Colours, Available in NZ

From subtle neutrals and heritage tones to vibrant brights and deep jewel shades, Appletons offers one of the most extensive wool thread palettes available in New Zealand. This depth of colour makes it easy to achieve smooth shading, strong contrast, or faithful colour matching for traditional designs.

Whether you’re stitching crewel embroidery on linen or working bold tapestry designs on canvas, you’ll find the exact shades you need - without waiting on overseas suppliers.

Appletons Thread Types at The Ribbon Rose

• Appletons Crewel Wool: a classic 2-ply wool ideal for detailed crewel embroidery and fine surface stitching.
• Appletons Tapestry Wool: a strong 4-ply wool, perfect for needlepoint and tapestry projects on larger canvas mesh.

Both ranges are colour-matched, making it easy to mix techniques and textures within the same project.

Why New Zealand Stitchers Choose Appletons

• Huge colour range available locally in NZ
• Premium wool with excellent stitch definition
• Consistent dye lots for reliable results
• Trusted British craftsmanship since 1835

At The Ribbon Rose, we make it easy for New Zealand embroiderers to work with the very best materials. Explore our complete Appletons range and enjoy high-quality wool threads that bring depth, texture and lasting beauty to every project.