What is brushed cotton? When talking about fabrics, everyone has heard of cotton. It is made from the cellulose fibres of the cotton plant, which get spun into threads that are then woven into fabric. Cotton has been around for centuries with diverse species of the plant found Mexico, Australia and Africa. It won’t be […]
Who invented the sewing machine is the most frequently asked question in the sewing community. For a good reason. The history of the sewing machine is 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 […]
Jump right in, the water’s fine! With the holiday season fast approaching and summer months not far behind, our minds turn to beaches and pools, cheeky cocktails in the sun, and swimwear. Finding a swimming costume or the ideal pair of trunks can feel like a chore. Instead of traipsing through aisles of endlessly samey […]
Fabric comes in all shapes, sizes, weights, and constructions. It can be natural, synthetic, or manufactured. Some fabrics have more stigma than others. In this blog post, we will be asking the question; what is viscose? A textile, which might be a little misunderstood. 1. What is viscose and where did it come from? Perhaps you […]
So, you’re an artist. You have a selection of outstanding work, and you’ve taken the time to design some awesome products with Contrado. Everyone that sees your offering is in awe, yet still, nobody seems to be finding it. So, how do you break the ‘starving artist’ cliché and answer the ‘how to get my […]
As our designer marketplace continues to grow and develop, so do our artists. We are fortunate enough to work with creators from all areas of the art world, and we want to show their talent off to you. Each month, we will be looking into a particular genre of art and design; from Abstract and […]
When traditional fashion fuses with contemporary style, beautiful things can happen. At Contrado, we love creating exciting clothing, which inspires our customers. One of our favourite pieces is the kimono. This adaptable and beautiful piece has been designed in-house. It combines influences from the classic kimono jacket, and mixes them with the versatility and simplicity of […]
What is canvas? Canvas – it is safe to assume that most of us have come across this word at some point in our lives. Look around and you will find clothes, accessories and home décor items made of this material. As I write this blog, I am counting the number of canvas prints lining […]
Learning how to measure yourself is an invaluable tool if you shop online a lot. Although it can often be easier said than done. If you’ve ever gone into a changing room, tried on a pair of size 14 trousers and struggled to get them on, only to put back on your comfortable size 12s […]
Why make your own wedding dress? So, you’re engaged. Or perhaps someone very close to you has just got engaged, and wedding preparations have slowly but surely begun to take over everyone’s lives. Whether your wedding is going to be big or small, in the autumn/winter or summer/spring, the dress is that one feature which […]