What is Neoprene? You’ve probably come across Neoprene before without even realising. But what is Neoprene? Neoprene was the first ever successful synthetic rubber created, dating back to 1930. It can be found on tires, wetsuits, hoses, and as well as being a particularly useful material its now also made its way onto high end […]
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 favourite pieces of personalised clothing, is the Customised Kimono. This adaptable and beautiful piece has been designed in-house. It combines influences from the classic kimono jacket, and mixes them with […]
What is Fleece? Fleece is a man-made wonder product, if there is such a thing. Despite being named after the ‘fleece’ coat on a sheep, it’s 100% synthetic and derived from plastic rather than a fluffy sheep’s coat – despite being fuzzy to the touch. The super soft, warm and breathable nature of this magic […]
What is Mesh? The world of fashion has seen the popularity of mesh garments soar within the last few years, but exactly what is mesh, and why are high-street stores and designers alike fawning over it? This sheer, soft fabric with tons of tiny holes has been loosely woven or knitted to create the signature […]
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 infancy. A 20,000 year old art form The history of the sewing […]
Singer sewing machines have a long and rich history, dating as far back as 1851. These beautiful machines have evolved over the years but are still standing the test of time. Some of the older models are highly sought after by collectors and sewing enthusiasts. If you’ve nabbed one of these beautiful bargains at a […]
What is Poplin Fabric? If you’ve ever asked yourself about the meaning of ‘what is poplin fabric’ then you’re in the right place. You’ve probably, most definitely, worn some variation of poplin, whether it’s 100% cotton poplin or a cotton-poly blend. Whilst traditionally it was primarily used for commonplace attire, it now has a place both in your […]
What is Chenille? The fuzzy lived-in quilt that has been handed down to you by your grandparents, or the fluffy new throw adorning your couch–they are probably made of Chenille. Among the gamut of fabrics that we encounter in our lives daily, how many of us have an answer to the question what is Chenille? Well, chenille refers to […]
Social media can be a big, sometimes daunting place, filled with the cacophony of a billion different voices. But you need to know how to cut through the social din and effectively use these platforms to grow your design business. Thanks to the emergence of visually led networks and snackable video content, social media marketing […]