CPSC Anounces Safety Recalls of Children's Hooded Sweatshirts

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a voluntary recall of about 725 Boys’ Hooded Sweatshirts sold at Macy’s department stores in Southern California from December 2008 through April 2009 for about $35. The garments were manufactured in China.

The CPSC also announced a voluntary recall of about 130 Hard Tail girl’s hooded jackets and pullover sweatshirts sold at Nordstrom’s, Gingerbread Kids, Beautiful Kids, Tabeez, EZ Fashion, Village Kids, In Motion, Pitti Bimi, Red Apple and Kidding Around stores nationwide from July 2007 through September 2008 for about $60 to $85. The garments were manufactured in the United States.

100% combed cotton ring spun yarn with an “S” twist Sought

The National Textile Association has been contact by someone seeking a source for the following cotton yarns:

100% combed cotton ring spun yarn with an “S” twist
30/2, 40/2, 50/2, 60/2, 80/2 (yarn sizes may vary +/- 2)
Finish: Mercerized; greige or dyed.

If you are interested in supplying this yarn please contact David at NTA at dtrumbull@nationaltextile.org by July 23rd and he'll put you in touch with the inquirer.

CITA Considers Short Supply for Polyester/Wool Fabric

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) is considering Commercial Availability Request 126.2009.07.06.Fabric.SharrettsPaleyforFishman&Tobin for Certain Polyester/Rayon/Wool Fabric, as specified below.

Responses are due by 11:59 P.M. (EST), on 07/20/2009.

Specifications: Certain Polyester/Rayon/Wool Fabric
HTS: 5515.11.00; 5515.19.00; 5516.92.00; 5516.93.00
Fiber Content: 30-65% polyester/ 25-65% rayon; 1-20% wool

Configuration:

Fabric #1 -
Warp - Spun yarn, either plied or single of various sizes, of intimately blended rayon and polyester staple fibers.
Fill - Spun yarn, either plied or single of various sizes, of intimately blended polyester and wool staple fibers.

Fabric #2 -
Warp - Spun yarn, either plied or single of various sizes, of intimately blended rayon and polyester staple fibers.
Fill - Spun yarn, either plied or single of various sizes, of intimately blended polyester, rayon and wool staple fibers.

Fabric #3 -
Warp - Spun yarn, either plied or single of various sizes, of intimately blended polyester, rayon and wool staple fibers.
Fill - Spun yarn, either plied or single of various sizes, of intimately blended polyester, rayon and wool staple fibers.

NOTE: "Intimately blended" refers to situations where the fibers are wound together to form that yarn, rather than being plied.

Construction: various

Weight:
English - 5 to 7.4 oz/sq. yd.
Metric - 170 to 250 gm/sq. meter

Width:
English - 56 to 64 inches
Metric - 142 to163 cm

Weave: various, including plain and twill

Coloration: piece dyed or of yarns of different colors

ITC Starts Anti-Dumping Investigation of Woven Electric Blankets from China

The U.S. International Trade has announced the institution of an investigation and commencement of preliminary phase antidumping investigation No. 731-TA-1163 (Preliminary) under section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act) to determine whether there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports from China of woven electric blankets (``WEBs''), provided for in subheading 6301.10.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value. Unless the Department of Commerce extends the time for initiation pursuant to section 732(c)(1)(B) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673a(c)(1)(B)), the Commission must reach a preliminary determination in antidumping investigations in 45 days, or in this case by August 14, 2009. The Commission's views are due at Commerce within five business days thereafter, or by August 21, 2009.

This investigation is being instituted in response to a petition filed on June 30, 2009, by Sunbeam Products, Inc. dba Jarden Consumer Solutions, Boca Raton, Florida.

DR-CAFTA Raschel Knit Open Work Crepe Fabric Sought

The National Textile Association has been contacted by a company seeking Raschel knit open work crepe fabric manufactured in the DR-CAFTA region. They require 275,000 pounds (800,000 yards) delivered to facilities in Guatemala.

Fabrics: Raschel knit open work crepe fabric
Fiber contents: Cotton 59-63% / Nylon 33-36% / Spandex 3-5%
Yarn size: 57/2 to 63/2 Cotton / 38 to 42 denier/24 filament Nylon / 199.5 to 220.5 denier Spandex wrapped around Nylon 66 to 74 denier/2
Machine gauge: 18
No. of bars: 34
Weight: 3.2 – 4.2 oz/sq. yard
Width: 50 to 60 inches
Finish: Piece dyed or printed
Fabric schedules for our production: 300,000 yards by Aug. 31, 2009; 300,000 yards by Nov. 15, 2009; 200,000 yards by Feb. 15, 2010.

If you are interested in supplying this fabric please contact David at NTA at dtrumbull@nationaltextile.org by July 21st and he'll put you in touch with the inquirer.

The Future of High Quality and Branded Cotton

RELEASE FROM NTA MEMBER FC STONE, July 6, 2009 -- For companies thinking cotton is just cotton, the market has some surprises in store. Although the overall quality of cotton globally may be increasing, how the improvement is occurring remains surprising—long staple cotton has expanded to become the dominant type of quality cotton produced today, while at the same time these gains have translated into a decline in Pima and other extra-long staple varieties, and the traditional lower end of the market, generic upland cotton. So what had been the middle of the market has now become more important than ever in understanding the global cotton business.
Indeed, what are the ramifications of such changes? Will cotton become cheaper or more expensive? What about supply versus demand? Will there be shortages or new market opportunities?

To help answer these and other questions, FCStone Fibers & Textiles announces a new multi-client study entitled “The Future of High Quality and Branded Cotton”.

With particular focus on China, India, the U.S. and Egypt, this study will examine global supply and demand trends for the major varieties of cotton, the attitudes of buyers and sellers of cotton internationally and the implications these trends and attitudes will have on merchants, mills, and retailers throughout the entire textile supply chain. FCStone Fibers & Textiles proposes to undertake this essential strategic study for delivery to subscribing clients by August 31st. Please contact FC Stone at the e-mail address below to reserve your copy of “The Future of High Quality & Branded Cotton”. If you have any questions regarding this study, please contact Saira Farrukh (saira.farrukh@fcstone.com)

Four-Way and Two-Way Stretch Fabrics Sought

The National Textile Association has been contacted by a design studio/manufacturer of warm-up/active wear apparel. For the past eight years they have purchased fabric from a U.S. distributor of an offshore (Vietnamese) fabric. The company is seeking additional fabric sources. They are not interested in container shipments and a U.S. stocking distributor works the best. They manufacture in four different poly fabrics, with the Scuba fabric depending on the month utilizing 1,000 to 5,000 yards every other month. The current supplier has become unreliable. They would like to work with a U.S. manufacturer if possible.

Fabric description: 100% Knitted Polyester, 4-way and 2-way stretch, approx 30 colors, 60 inches wide. 11oz approx.

If you are interested in supplying this fabric please contact David at NTA at dtrumbull@nationaltextile.org by July 20th and he'll put you in touch with the inquirer.