Art is in the eye of the beholder and our extensive online marketplace is filled with a plethora of amazing talent. From pattern and surface designers to graffiti artists, and fine artists to illustrators, our #ContradoCreatives are an amazing bunch, who, with our help, are building their own brands to unleash into the world. With […]
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When traditional fashion fuses with contemporary style, beautiful things can happen. At Contrado, we love creating exciting clothing, which inspires our customers to design. One of our favorite pieces of personalized apparel, is the customized kimono. This adaptable and beautiful piece has been designed in-house. It combines influences from the classic kimono jacket, and mixes them with […]
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 […]
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With the Oscars fast-approaching, you’re bound to see some fabulous outfits hitting the red carpet. Stunning gowns, spiffy suits, and glamour from head to toe. Even if you’re not one of the lucky ones with an invite to the most prestigious award show in town, you can still look the part with the perfect suit. […]
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Playing dress-up is a childhood pastime that is just as fun now as it was then. But costume making has evolved since the days of fashioning capes out of trash bags and applying blotchy face paint. The Cosplay that we know today is a giant subculture and community where TV, film, gaming, comic book fans take the fancy dress to the next level, […]
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When it comes to the best fabric for underwear and lingerie, it will all depend on your….desired usage, if you know what I mean. From sexy baby dolls to the more practical slips for defining your shape, lingerie can be worn alone or as underwear. Making your own lingerie is an empowering sewing project, especially as you get to make something perfectly […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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What is a neck gaiter? If you’re a camping or hiking fanatic, you may have already heard of a neck gaiter or tube scarf; an elasticated tube-shaped piece of fabric which is amazingly versatile and often used on outdoor trips or for sports. There are endless ways how to wear a neck gaiter. This single […]
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Whether you are an accomplished sewer or a novice, knowing how to sew stretchy fabric is a key skill that will help you with a wealth of sewing projects and save you a lot of nerves. It’s no secret that sewing with stretchy fabric can be somewhat of a challenge (some people find it downright […]
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