Joann's - fabrics in compliance?

[LerayjessDesigns]

Anyone know if Joann's fabrics are in compliance with the CPSIA? Or, what's the best way to find out? I am guessing my local store won't know what I'm talking about.

[Former_Member]

I work at JoAnn Fabrics, but I am not sure what CPSIA compliance means?

[LerayjessDesigns]

What I mean is whether the fabrics sold at Joann's have been tested/proven as lead free, in accordance with the new Fed. law. I will try to reseach this online and see if there is a corporate web site with info. the new law is in flux, as I understand it - whether or not manufacturers will have to get the tests done or whether small businesses can rely on suppliers' tests.

[Former_Member]

I understand now, but I am not at a corp level. Please post what you find out with your research.

[Former_Member]

They don't test their fabrics. I emailed corporate and they told me they don't test for anything, even flammability. That doesn't mean however that they haven't been tested by the manufacturer who they buy from. I have been trying to get them to give me the Material Data Saftey Sheets for their fabrics but so far nothing.

[LerayjessDesigns]

Thanks cootiepants! I was wondering if others had looked into this, so we can share info here. I think if they import, somewhere in the chain testing has to be done. Getting proof for our own files, that's turning out to be very difficult.

In any case, it is definitely not the job of the nice people measuring out yardage for us to know! :)

[Former_Member]

If you contact the individual manufacturers, they should be able to give you the information. My Joann's manager didn't know anything about it.

[LerayjessDesigns]

Do you think that info is printed on the bolt somewhere?

[Former_Member]

am i missing something? I thought using fabric was OK. Do we need to know if it complies?

[Former_Member]

I haven't seen anything on their bolts...

I did see that a lot of their fabric is made in china!

[Former_Member]

Anything that says made specifically for JoAnn's in the fabric line, is made in China or Taiwan.

And don't expect them to be forthcoming with any info on their data safety whatever...

Worked part time for them for 10 years, up till '06, and let's just say they are not the nicest group of people (corporate wise) since the company was sold about 10 years ago. Now it is all bottom line, and noooooo benefits for employees...not even scrap stuff that they claim as loss....everything gets thrown away! Such a wasteful proceedure I've never seen before!

[Former_Member]

And it shows!

They frequently short me on my cuts of fabric..1/2 in there, 1/4 in there. It all adds up.

I've been overcharged everytime I've used a coupon. I only shop at JoAnn's if I have to

[Former_Member]

After they stopped scheduling me to work, (not fired, or let go in any formal way), I boycotted them for over 2 years! But I've since returned, usually maybe 5 times a year, when they have a sale on notions, or some such!

Considering I spent thousands each year when I was an employee, I guess it helped my "shopping addiction".

[Former_Member]

This is a really interesting topic...

A LOT of the commercial fabric available today is printed in China. Even the higher end stuff, like Alexander Henry, Michael Miller, etc etc. and stuff designed by popular designers. They have it printed over there and then ship it over by cargo freight.

OK so I have a weird story....

One time I got a bolt from a 'high end' fabric manufacturer (I won't name who) and it was FULL OF DIRT. I started measuring out fabric and there was substantial amounts of smelly dirt rolled right up in the bolt. Throughout the bolt. It was gross! I had to throw the entire thing away! And the vendor wouldn't even give me credit for all that merchandise I had to toss. >:(

And it made me wonder.... where does this stuff come from exactly? What kinds of things could have been in that soil?

That's why I think it is advisable to PREWASH YOUR FABRICS before using!

[LerayjessDesigns]

Thanks everyone, for info! I can't find anything online yet to answer the question re:no lead.

SO, any suggestions for suppliers for lead free fleece?

[Former_Member]

Check out this thread

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6077892

someone posted a letter from someone at joann's.

I would be wary of the wording of that letter- since at first it says all "apparel" fabrics and then later it mentions all fabrics.

I'll bet they don't consider their quilting and calico fabrics "apparel". I'd try to get them to clarify.

I"m not much help beyond that. I can't stand the joann fabrics near us. It really gives me a headache. I'd rather support my local store.

[Former_Member]

marking

[MomNMiaDesigns]

Yardstick is right - MANY fabrics are printed/manufactured overseas, including some of the very popular, high end designer fabrics.
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[MomNMiaDesigns]

here's a helpful link if you don't know what you need to worry about testing:
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/smbus/manufacturers.html

[Former_Member]

In one of threads a seller received a response that JAs was not going to test their products.
It is the responsibilty of the manufacturer.

Michael Miller has stated that they test and have even changed care directions on the bolt to be more environmentally friendly (wash cold instead of warm...).

[Former_Member]

From MomNMiaQuilts link "Children’s products made of yarn, dyed or undyed fabrics and natural materials such as untreated wood or cotton do not contain lead at levels sufficient to exceed the new lead limits."

There you go.

[Former_Member]

Most quilt fabrics (including the "quilt shop" brands) are made in South Korea, Japan and China. A few are still printed in the US.

[Former_Member]

I didn't even think about older fabric and CPSIA! Vintage Kid's books are what I was concerned with.

Thanks for the posts!

[Former_Member]

Most fabrics are made out of the USA. I have a hard time finding any made here. I know that lead is on everyones mind, but did you know they can get lead for eating a mudpie. The kind we all made and sampled as kids. We can't live in bubbles people. Be aware of what your kids play with and teach them to not eat stuff that is bad for you. Whatever happened to saying "NO"?

[Former_Member]

Just because it's made out of the USA doesn't mean it's toxic.