What is microfibre? You’ve seen it everywhere; from mops to furniture, sportswear to towels – but what is microfibre, exactly? And what makes it so versatile? ‘Microfibre’ refers to a synthetic fibre which is extremely thin, even slimmer than a strand of silk (which is about a fifth of the diameter of a human hair). […]
What is Felt? Felt is a man-made fabric, created from natural fibres. Most man-made fabrics are generally woven; however, this material differs in this sense. So, what is felt exactly? A felted fabric is created from fibres being compressed and matted, often pressed together using heat, moisture and a lot of pressure. It can take […]
What is Cashmere? You’ve probably seen Cashmere in high-end fashion boutiques or lavish gift shops, at the fingertips of captivated shoppers. But what is Cashmere? This sought-after fabric has become synonymous with luxury; the soft, insulating material is one of the most valuable natural products used in the fashion industry today. It is characterised by […]
Whether you are working with lace for pleasure or business, this is a beautiful fabric that offers many wonderful possibilities. There is a reason white lace fabric wedding dresses are so expensive. Working with lace is a time-consuming process, that requires skill and dedication. It is highly labour-intensive, with couture sewing techniques applied to the […]
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, and why do we use it? In a nutshell, suede is a particular finish of leather (often referred to as suede leather). Rather than being a […]
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, […]
Sew, you’re interest in buying a sewing machine. It can be hard to know how to get started. What with the number of makes and models of sewing machines available. Searching for the perfect sewing machine can be a seam-ingly difficult task, but we are here to make things easier. Do I Need to Buy […]
Are you just starting to learn to sew? Have you just taken up sewing and are looking for some tips to get started, and, most importantly, how to avoid those common sewing mistakes? We’re sewing mad at Contrado. After all, we make everything by hand (and sewing machine), right here at our studio, and, over the […]
Can unusual fabrics make your craft projects even better? Ask someone to name a few fabrics, and the usual ones will spring to mind; cotton, jersey, silk, maybe wool, but delve a bit deeper and there is a whole world of unusual fabrics, you might not have known about. At Contrado, we are constantly adding to […]