Sew…the Low Down on Drawstrings and a Solution to My Clothing Design Dilemma

Missed me?  I’m back from my trip to Los Angeles….what a great time I had!  Days were filled with fabric sourcing for my upcoming Spring / Summer 2009 Downtown Joey boys’ clothing line.

Lady M™ (aka Myrinda of Fabric Hound) and I had a blast!  We had lunch with more than a dozen friends from Fashion Incubator and dinner at The Palm Restaurant with Kim Owen of Moonfly Kids!

I found great yarn-dyes, twills and knits (unfortunately NO BOY PRINTS…ugh).  Most importantly, I did find a solution to a design problem–making my dangling key chains safe for children.

But first you need to know a little about the CPSC Guidelines when it comes to drawstrings on children’s clothing.  Note, I manufacture in New York and it’s the law here:  Informal Comparison Between Various U.S. Drawstring Standards

The CPSC urges that parents and caregivers immediately:

• Remove hood and neck drawstrings from children’s jackets, sweatshirt and similar types of clothing; or
• Sew a seam through the drawstring at the middle of the hood and neck so neither end can pull out and catch onto an object.
• Cut all string ends as short as needed to close the garment.

The CPSC has 23 reports of deaths and 48 non-fatal injuries from drawstrings on children’s clothing from 1985 to 1997.

Consumer Reports’ Blog

Fashion Incubator - Drawstrings and Child Safety

Transportation Safety Tips for Children

The list of offenders:

Latest Recall

Another recent Recall

Girls’ Hooded Sweat Jackets by Rebelette

Karl Kani Sweat Jackets

Bonafide Jackets

GAP Boys’ Jacket

SCOPE Hooded Sweatshirts

Old Navy Boys’ Jacket Recall has instructions for consumers

Bon Ton Zippered Hoodies

More children’s clothing manufacturers who didn’t get the memo on drawstring safety…

Black Rabbit Clothing

Diesel Clothing

Gold Rush Skateboard Jersey Pants

Ed Hardy

 

O’Neill Clothing

Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts by Urgent Gear

Even after Urgent Gear’s recalled sweatshirt (above), they are still at it:

Urgent Gear’s Micro Pants

Deux Par Deux Park Ranger Bermuda Shorts

I noticed lots of boys’ swim shorts with drawstrings that are longer than the suggested maximum of 3 inches.  I wonder if they are not subject to the same guidelines:

Puma

Childish Tire Treads Swim Trunks

Small Paul

Charlie Rocket

Burberry

Here’s two great swim shorts which solved the drawstring problem through good design:

City Threads

Diesel Boys

Okay…so back to my dilemma.  I always use key chains in my boys’ clothing designs.  Key chains either hang from the pants or shirts with metal or plastic key rings.

 

I needed to find a solution to ensure a child would not get the key chain caught on something (similar to the drawstring problem).

At first. I considered using something like a Breakaway Key Chain used for Pepper Spray.  But you’d have to press the key chain to get it to release (separate):

So then I thought perhaps Safety Breakaway Lanyards might work.  But it was too small as I usually attach my key chains with 3/4″ - 1 inch twill tape or webbing.

When searching the Internet in hopes of finding a solution, I came across Tomy’s Pokeman Plush Key Chains which were recalled, because they may contain the tips of sewing needles broken during manufacturing.  WTH?!!!

I also found a Recall of H & M’s Compass Jacket, because the attached compass on these jackets can break, posing a choking hazard for young children. Additionally, the liquid mineral oil, inside the compass can be harmful if swallowed.  Guess I won’t be using compasses…LOL!

Just a side note:  Airport security deemed a handcuff key chain dangerous.  Guess my handcuff set would really cause a stir:

Funny thing…the above “Downtown Detention” set was the only set “lost” in the mail by the USPS en route to the customer.  Perhaps the USPS thought it was dangerous, too.

So anyway, I came across these little break-away clam shells that come in two sizes:

What’s great about them is there are three different types of clips I can use to attach my key chains.  Best of all, the price was right and the minimums were easy enough.  SCORE!

One attachment is a clip which really isn’t the best as it can pinch little fingers (unless of course, you don’t like your children…LOL):

However, the other two attachments would work great:

Swivel Hook

O-Ring

So, I’d say my trip to the LA International Textile Show was a success!

Right before I left for my trip, I hired a great pattern maker.  Now to find the right sewing production here in NYC…stay tuned!

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