Comments on: Three days until National Bankruptcy Day http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/ How to start a clothing line or run the one you have, better. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:49:13 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kate http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12710 Kate Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:02:09 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12710 This is going to have a serious trickle down effect. Here is a great article talking about Goodwill not being able to sell childrens' clothing and toys for fear of liability. http://www.kansas.com/news/story/695800.html I am a goodwill junkie and spoke with the ladies at our local store. They explained that all kids clothing under size 12 will be eventually pulled because of the new law. They said it was "to protect the children". Ok... Basically poor children and small businesses will be seriously crippled by this idiotic law. I seriously doubt the "special interest" groups saw the Goodwill issue coming. I know it sounds crazy but the Goodwill issue may need to be brought up to legislators to remind them of the side effects of a bad dose of medicine. We must all remember sometimes medicine is poison when the side effects outweigh the benefits. This is going to have a serious trickle down effect. Here is a great article talking about Goodwill not being able to sell childrens’ clothing and toys for fear of liability.
http://www.kansas.com/news/story/695800.html

I am a goodwill junkie and spoke with the ladies at our local store. They explained that all kids clothing under size 12 will be eventually pulled because of the new law. They said it was “to protect the children”. Ok…

Basically poor children and small businesses will be seriously crippled by this idiotic law. I seriously doubt the “special interest” groups saw the Goodwill issue coming. I know it sounds crazy but the Goodwill issue may need to be brought up to legislators to remind them of the side effects of a bad dose of medicine. We must all remember sometimes medicine is poison when the side effects outweigh the benefits.

]]> By: Janet Littlecrow http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12695 Janet Littlecrow Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:04:18 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12695 I was interviewed by Navajo Times newspaper a couple of weeks ago, and was interviewed by Eastern Bands Cherokee Nation in NC today. I've explained that the stay STILL doesn't alleviate the problems we run into with our issues of testing all items of a child's regalia, so I'm NOT letting up. I'm talking to Indians across the nation to make their tribes aware of the effects of this law on our culture. I'm not taking any chances with state's AG's, some have been known to make Indians an issue, ie: prosecuting out-of-state motorists with tribal car tags, impounding tribal vehicles for non-payment of taxes on exempt transactions, etc. It's a legal landmine field. I'm not taking any chances, since Indians still have MANY enemies within the government. More than a few congressional representatives are known to use expletives before the word "Indian" in conversation. So I'm changing out snaps and buttons for velcro, and won't be using anything but cotton, polyester satin & ribbon, & acrylic yarn on my kids outfit. I can't find any XRF testing facilities in our part of the country, and couldn't afford $400 a day anyway. I will simply not be able to make many of our children's outfits because of this law, because we can't afford to test and the manufacturers aren't going to pay for that expense either. If the CPSIA isn't amended reasonably and soon, I'll be looking to organize a class action lawsuit to test the constitutionality of this law. It seriously interferes with our right to practice our cultural and religious rites, and I'm laying the groundwork for it with every interview. If it bankrupts us or kills me fighting it, it's still worth it to me. The government will NOT do this to us again without a fight. There's a whole lot of educated Indians running around these days, and we're willing to fight for what we believe in, through the courts and the media. The Indian wars are NOT over, they've just moved into the courts. I was interviewed by Navajo Times newspaper a couple of weeks ago, and was interviewed by Eastern Bands Cherokee Nation in NC today. I’ve explained that the stay STILL doesn’t alleviate the problems we run into with our issues of testing all items of a child’s regalia, so I’m NOT letting up. I’m talking to Indians across the nation to make their tribes aware of the effects of this law on our culture. I’m not taking any chances with state’s AG’s, some have been known to make Indians an issue, ie: prosecuting out-of-state motorists with tribal car tags, impounding tribal vehicles for non-payment of taxes on exempt transactions, etc. It’s a legal landmine field.

I’m not taking any chances, since Indians still have MANY enemies within the government. More than a few congressional representatives are known to use expletives before the word “Indian” in conversation. So I’m changing out snaps and buttons for velcro, and won’t be using anything but cotton, polyester satin & ribbon, & acrylic yarn on my kids outfit. I can’t find any XRF testing facilities in our part of the country, and couldn’t afford $400 a day anyway. I will simply not be able to make many of our children’s outfits because of this law, because we can’t afford to test and the manufacturers aren’t going to pay for that expense either.

If the CPSIA isn’t amended reasonably and soon, I’ll be looking to organize a class action lawsuit to test the constitutionality of this law. It seriously interferes with our right to practice our cultural and religious rites, and I’m laying the groundwork for it with every interview. If it bankrupts us or kills me fighting it, it’s still worth it to me. The government will NOT do this to us again without a fight. There’s a whole lot of educated Indians running around these days, and we’re willing to fight for what we believe in, through the courts and the media. The Indian wars are NOT over, they’ve just moved into the courts.

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12682 Kathleen Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:09:39 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12682 It's been rumored that special interest groups are filing a challenge to the one year stay today. It’s been rumored that special interest groups are filing a challenge to the one year stay today.

]]> By: SD http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12663 SD Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:03:30 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12663 As someone whose new children's store (mainly mama and baby gear) has finally gotten through Health DEpt approval, codes approval, ada compliance approval, zoning approval, sign permit approval, and paid every governement agency fees at least twice and changed plumbing and moved furniture down a half an inch, etc, I'm finally ready to open, and have no idea what to do about any of this. I feel the recent change (putting off testing & compliance certificate requirements by suppliers, but still threatening me with jail if something doesn't comply with the limits) has put me in the situation of a whole year (of the stay) now not knowing whether I'm selling things that will set me up for my downfall. Question: How does one even test existing inventory for phtalates? Does it all have to go out to a lab? At least I can conceive of an xray gun can be used to test for lead. Of course, what does it matter (since I'd I have to test everything I get in before I sell it for the next year, how could I possibly afford it anyway?) Or am I just missing the point that going into small business in this country means the constant risk of the government fining you out of business and putting you into jail for the "negligence" of not being a rich enough company to be able to comply with all the laws? As someone whose new children’s store (mainly mama and baby gear) has finally gotten through Health DEpt approval, codes approval, ada compliance approval, zoning approval, sign permit approval, and paid every governement agency fees at least twice and changed plumbing and moved furniture down a half an inch, etc, I’m finally ready to open, and have no idea what to do about any of this. I feel the recent change (putting off testing & compliance certificate requirements by suppliers, but still threatening me with jail if something doesn’t comply with the limits) has put me in the situation of a whole year (of the stay) now not knowing whether I’m selling things that will set me up for my downfall.

Question: How does one even test existing inventory for phtalates? Does it all have to go out to a lab? At least I can conceive of an xray gun can be used to test for lead. Of course, what does it matter (since I’d I have to test everything I get in before I sell it for the next year, how could I possibly afford it anyway?) Or am I just missing the point that going into small business in this country means the constant risk of the government fining you out of business and putting you into jail for the “negligence” of not being a rich enough company to be able to comply with all the laws?

]]> By: Lisa DOWNTOWN JOEY http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12659 Lisa DOWNTOWN JOEY Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:21:38 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12659 I tested my buttonhole elastic from Asheboro and it passed. I tested 4 different colors (red, rust, black, and white). Not sure of the fiber content, but just thought you should know. HTH With friendship, Lisa I tested my buttonhole elastic from Asheboro and it passed. I tested 4 different colors (red, rust, black, and white). Not sure of the fiber content, but just thought you should know.

HTH

With friendship,
Lisa

]]> By: Stephanie Stewart http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12658 Stephanie Stewart Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:21:40 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12658 Regarding elastic: As I understand them, phthalates are used in plastics. Elastic feels kind of plastic-y to me, so my question was this: are the stretchy fibers used in my product at risk of being contaminated with phthalates? I am told this is a question for a materials scientist. One such chemist working in the textile industry (friend of a friend) looked at my product (off record) and advised that my product "does not appear to contain any plastic or plasticizers such as vinyl", so there shouldn't be any source for phthalate contamination. (FYI - My product is knit of cotton, nylon and spandex yarns and it is not made with off the shelf elastic.) I still don't understand elastic, or if they are all phthalate free, or if some of them (depending on their fiber make-up) might contain phthalates. Which means, I don't know if elastic needs to be examined, industry wide, for compliance with the CPSIA phthalate ban. But it is a question that needs an answer. Regarding elastic:
As I understand them, phthalates are used in plastics. Elastic feels kind of plastic-y to me, so my question was this: are the stretchy fibers used in my product at risk of being contaminated with phthalates? I am told this is a question for a materials scientist. One such chemist working in the textile industry (friend of a friend) looked at my product (off record) and advised that my product “does not appear to contain any plastic or plasticizers such as vinyl”, so there shouldn’t be any source for phthalate contamination. (FYI – My product is knit of cotton, nylon and spandex yarns and it is not made with off the shelf elastic.)

I still don’t understand elastic, or if they are all phthalate free, or if some of them (depending on their fiber make-up) might contain phthalates. Which means, I don’t know if elastic needs to be examined, industry wide, for compliance with the CPSIA phthalate ban. But it is a question that needs an answer.

]]> By: MJ http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12657 MJ Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:03:49 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12657 How about screen printed t-shirts would they be clear for the law. The t-shirt company and ink company both say their products don't have lead or phythlates. How about screen printed t-shirts would they be clear for the law. The t-shirt company and ink company both say their products don’t have lead or phythlates.

]]> By: Darby http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12656 Darby Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:13:37 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12656 Isn't elastic considered a "trim," though? Maybe we should move this to the forum. : ) This legislation takes splitting hairs to a whole new level. Isn’t elastic considered a “trim,” though? Maybe we should move this to the forum. : ) This legislation takes splitting hairs to a whole new level.

]]> By: Eric H http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12654 Eric H Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:07:00 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12654 No, Michele, that's not going to cut it. It has to be a casing hard enough to withstand "normal use and abuse". Since lead and phthalates will easily migrate through cloth, especially when wet, it doesn't even pass the use test. And abuse? Since your children are now going to have to make do indefinitely with clothing made before Tuesday (unless the NRDC starts moving upwards from Onesies(R)), they are definitely going to wear through to the elastic waistbands. No, Michele, that’s not going to cut it. It has to be a casing hard enough to withstand “normal use and abuse”. Since lead and phthalates will easily migrate through cloth, especially when wet, it doesn’t even pass the use test. And abuse? Since your children are now going to have to make do indefinitely with clothing made before Tuesday (unless the NRDC starts moving upwards from Onesies(R)), they are definitely going to wear through to the elastic waistbands.

]]> By: Michele http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/three-days-until-national-bankruptcy-day/comment-page-1/#comment-12653 Michele Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:45:19 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=2991#comment-12653 Elastic itotally enclosed inside a casing such as inside the waistband of pants should be exempt since it is unreachable by a child, right? Elastic itotally enclosed inside a casing such as inside the waistband of pants should be exempt since it is unreachable by a child, right?

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