Are you just starting to learn to sew? Have you just recently started sewing and are in need of some tips to get started, or, more importantly, how to avoid those common sewing mistakes? We’re sewing obsessed at Contrado. After all, we make everything by hand (and sewing machine), right here at our studio, and, over the […]
When buying clothes, or searching for fabric, your first thought might not necessarily be, “where did this fabric come from,” but maybe it should. It is easy to pop into a store, reach for the latest fashions and not question what it is made from. If it fits, looks good and doesn’t cost the earth, […]
What is sustainable fashion? Sustainability has two different definitions. The first is the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level, and the second is the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance (according to Google dictionary). When it comes to sustainable fashion, we refer to both […]
Due to recent news and current trends, lots of people are left asking “What is fast fashion?” Well, fast fashion is like the fast food of the fashion industry. When you boil it down to its simplest terms, it’s where you pay much less for something and end up not quite fully satisfied. Just like […]
Whether you sew for a profession or just sew for fun, knowing this sewing guide is the first step to showing you know your stuff. All professions, crafts and industries have their own terms and acronyms, and sewing is no exception. There are so many words, phrases and sayings that might make you scratch your […]
The history of the sewing machine is one littered with accusations, failed attempts and some serious scandal. From narrowly escaping death to patent law suits, it’s an interesting story that demonstrates the seam-ingly humble sewing machine ruffled more than a few feathers in its lifetime. A 20,000 year old art form The history of the sewing […]
Satin Definition So, what is Satin and how is it made? First and foremost, it is not a raw material. It is a type of weave with a complex structure. Made by floating several warp yarns across the weft before going under 1 weft thread, and beginning the cycle again. Having fewer interlaces leads to […]
What is Velour? Velour is an incredibly soft, plush textile that is very similar to velvet (albeit much less expensive). It’s characterized by a wonderfully soft-to-the-touch finish with cut fibers that follow the stroke of your hand and drapes seamlessly. But what is velour, and what’s the difference to velvet? Read our guide below to discover more […]
As a fashion lover, a textile designer or an avid shopper, you’ve probably come across the term ‘suede’ in various shops or fashion magazines. But what is suede exactly, what does it mean, and why do we use it? In a nutshell, it is a particular finish of leather (often referred to as suede leather) […]
What is Fleece? Ever wondered what fleece is and what its definition is? Read on, dear fellow fabric-goop, and find your answers here. Fleece fabric is defined as a man-made wonder product, if there is such a thing. Despite being named after the coat on a sheep, it’s 100% synthetic and derived from plastic rather […]