Let's compile a list of suppliers who test!

[#1]

Let's help each other out.

I am hoping that I can rely on the supplier's component testing of the fabric, buttons, thread, velcro etc. I realize that the law is not written this way, and I am supposed to redo it on the final product, but I am hopeful for an ammendment. In which case, I want to have all my ducks in a row.
Today I was chasing down numbers of suppliers. What a headache! All I got today was that my buttons are tested and OK for children. Great...I can make something out of buttons only?
Phone numbers and a person are rediculously hard to find. If this law does get changed, do you think that the suppliers will make it easier to get this information???? I have spent the WHOLE day on it!!!!! Anybody out there who has actually gotten a hold of person and knows some numbers to call would be greatly appreciated. I can't even figure out who makes a ton of my fabric because I bought them at Joann's who doesn't mark the bolt. Even the manager couldn't find it for me!!! How sad is that? Even if I knew of a couple of fabric makers that tested, that would help, because at least I could use them. I would just switch fabrics to companies who have tested.
I need information on:
Beads (people who bead in CA, how do you get this information????? I know you have to have it by law.)
Velcro
Cotton Fabric
Ribbon (anyone gotten a hold of Offray?)
Buttons (I did get a contact here who is emailing me the cert)
Elastic
Felt
Fleece

Let's help each other out. Don't be stingy? Who did you call? Who was helpful? Who wasn't? It would help us all out greatly!

I'll go first:
Buttons:
I got a hold of Favorite Findings and La Petite Buttons.
The website is www.blumenthallansing.com
I found a link for phone numbers and I called the rep in CA, Carlos Dashti, who actually answered. He said that the line Favorite Findings (sold and Walmart and Joann's) tests because it's used on children's items. He was happy to email me the results. His number was (213)400-2929. They have other reps for other areas on there too under the contact page.

[Former_Member]

Anybody know about tulle? Or anyone in California? I'm located in Bakersfield I would definately be up to splitting costs to stay in business.
Jen

[Former_Member]

Super idea, I am going to have to come back here and see the results of all the suppliers. How exciting.

[Former_Member]

marking

[BarkingDogDesigns]

For Dritz and all other Prym brands, including spray adhesive, eyelets, grommets, snaps, Fray Check, Stitch Witchery, magnetic snaps, and other craft supplies contact Amy Summers at:

Prym Consumer USA Inc.
P.O. Box 5028
Spartanburg, SC 29304

or directly through the website contact page:
http://www.dritz.com/askus/contact/index.php

[Former_Member]

Plush Makers: Monterey Mills is located in Janesville, WI. They are one of the last manufacturers of fake fur in the United States. They also manufacture 3 grades of stuffing. They will provide all necessary documentation to prove they are lead and p-thate free.

They ship world via ups.

They also have something called "x-case packs" which are 20 to 30 yard packs of mixed color fake furs- perfect for small production!

Let me disclose that I am NOT an employee or any way associated with Monterey Mills. I'm just a very proud Wisconsinite that would like everyone to consider supporting a US company creating a great product made by hard-working people.

You can see their products on their site www.montereymills.com. I'm driving to pick up my order tomorrow!

[Former_Member]

www.snapsource.com their snaps are tested and lead free

[Former_Member]

Thank you barkingdog and Christina. Both are very helpful!

[Former_Member]

I don't have anything to add but I want to be able to find this thread again...

[Former_Member]

Such a good idea. I am hopeful that with an amendment, we will be allowed this opportunity to supply certification from our suppliers.
I shop mainly at Walmart (for my stuffing) and Joann's (for my fabric), so I'd like to see what we come up with.

[Former_Member]

Okay, my list is updated up to this point. :0) I'm going to bed now!!
www.tiptopsspot.blogspot.com

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

WOW. Thanks to all for your work, and to tiptops for compiling everything!

I'm new to selling, but so excited and would love to grow my shop.

[PearlyGrey]

I do alot of appliqued onesies and always use Carters. Their website has a huge write up on their compliance with current testing for all of their kids products, not just the tagless items.

http://www.carters.com/Corporate/tagless_message.aspx

[StitchedForKids]

I have written Marathon Thread, I'll post if I hear anything.

[Former_Member]

bobbinalong
bobbinalong says:
Sugarplumbtree, everyone, I know you are all trying your best to make things work so you can continue to sell. That is, if this law isn't changed.

I'm sorry, but count me out. If testing will be required, I will only sell items for adults. There is no where near me for testing. I won't do labeling, or any of the other hoops they want me to jump through.

I look at this issue as losing my American right to sell. I make good, quality, carefully thought-out items. I am proud of them. My buyers have all appreciated what they have purchased from me.

But I look at this whole issue differently. What about putting a child into a brand new car. Or on a brand new carpet. Or take them on vacation to a brand new hotel. Or how about their surroundings at school or the library. We don't know what is in the items that they will come into contact with. What about the items their parents use that they come in contact with.

I feel that the law is too extreme for reality. So much of President Obama's swearing-in speech, I thought, applied to us. If and when we finally know the outcome of this law, if it is just a bunch of political hoops to jump through, if my rights as an American handmade seller don't count anymore, after 71 years, making and selling items since I was very young, then I will take my business onto a new avenue. No more kids' items.
-------
Totally understandable bobbin! Someone (tiptopdesigns, I think?) actually called around to all the different testing facilities and NONE of them were willing to do any testing for her because her business is "too small to bother with". @@ So I think in the end willingness to test will be a moot point because there aren't any facilities willing to take our business. Supply-side or XRF testing is going to have to be the way to go if CPSC really wants to keep this law active.

[Former_Member]

It looks like the results everyone is getting is from fabric companies, has anyone had any success from yarn manufacturers? I've contacted Lion Brand Yarns and Coats & Clark, LBY says they're looking into it and C & C didn't give me a response at all.

[hogiesgurl]

I wrote the same letter to Michael miller and to A henry just changing the name:
Hi, I make items from Michael Miller fabric bought at local fabric stores and with the new CPSIA law coming into effect I would like to know if there is somewhere I can find the lead content of the fabrics you manufacturer.

Michael Miller Rep reply was: There is no lead used in the manufacturing of our fabrics.If you need any other info, please let us know

A Henry Rep reply was: We know the new CPSIA requirements have many people concerned; however, we do not have documentation available regarding the chemical content of our fabrics, and have no plans currently in place for testing in the immediate future. There is some debate ongoing here at our offices regarding exactly what we as a fabric manufacturer -- not as a producer of children's goods -- are obliged to test, and management is currently taking the stand that until we are required by law to test our fabric and are notified of such, we will not be doing any testing. The fact that the CPSIA requirements are so broad -- coupled with a lack of definitive information regarding our responsibilities towards the new regulations, as well as the fact that our fabrics are printed in both Korea and Japan from mills with multiple suppliers -- means that we are responding very conservatively to these new requirements. Please don't hesitate to contact me should you have any further questions.

[Former_Member]

Well, I pretty much found out suppliers for everything I need today with just a couple more pieces to get. I am willing if this is what it takes. It only has taken me a couple days of research. Much thanks to everyone who has posted!

Many companies emailed me right away and stated that they would email me the MSDS sheets that I need, or they were working on it and would be posting them on their sites.
If this law is ammended so that we can use them, I bet that companies will make this a lot more accessible to get and many more will be testing so as not to lose business. Right now, there is not a lot in it for them to test, but if the law changes and a great part of their business comes from makers of children's items, I believe they will do it for us. So far, I can pretty much go about my business because I have found at least one supplier for each component that I use - almost. (That is of course IF we can get an ammendment to rely on our supplier's testing)

[Former_Member]

How much you want to bet though if we can use supplier's MSDS sheets, that they will start testing? I can understand that they don't the way things stand now, who really knows whether it would pay off for them?

[Former_Member]

Faboo idea!

I emailed Coats and Clark through their site and got this:

"
Thank you for contacting Coats & Clark. Your comments are important to us. We may require additional information or samples in order to provide you with the best possible answer to your inquiry, so our reply to you could come by email or U.S. Postal Service.

Sincerely,

Coats & Clark"

If I hear nothing back in a few days, I will call them.

I also emailed Fairfield Processing Corporation because they make the natural and poly-fil that I use for many items.

I will let you know if they say anything.

[Former_Member]

marking.

Sent an email to Speedball asking about their screen printing ink for fabrics. Haven't heard from them, and doubt that I will.

[Former_Member]

Michael Miller Fabrics tests their fabrics and will send you a certificate if you request one.

[Former_Member]

Should we get an ammendment on this, I bet all kinds of suppliers will start advertising that they are lead and pthalate free and will be happy to post or send their results. The reason it is so hard right now to get results is because they don't have to yet.

[Former_Member]

I talked with Sulky embroidery thread and they test, no lead in their rayon/poly or cotton thread.

[Former_Member]

Awesome bloomhill. We all have to have some thread to sew our things up with!