What is Denim and what is it made from? Denim is a sturdy cotton twill fabric, generally used to make garments such as jeans, dungarees and other clothing. It is typically blue in colour. However, it can have a multitude of different finishes such as being stonewashed, striped, faded, napped and indigo. Traditionally it is […]
Where to Start Sewing for Beginners When it comes to sewing for beginners, where to start with your sewing kit can often get overlooked. Needles? Check. Threads? Check. Ready to go? Not just yet! There’s a whole array of other useful things you should have in your beginner’s sewing kit from day one, allowing you to breeze through your first craft […]
Types of Applique What is Applique? Whether you’re a seasoned fashionista or an experimental designer, the art of applique is sure to come up in your textile practice. Applique essentially means applying one piece of fabric to another – usually shapes or designs on top of a fabric background – and it can be a […]
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 […]
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, […]