Three Safety Tests to Consider while Designing Children’s Products

With the school year approaching for parents, back to school season is in full swing for many Etsy Sellers. If you are selling clothing or soft goods for kids, you may want to consider common safety standards required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC). I know what you’re thinking, “But I’m a small business not a giant corporation!” You’re right. You probably qualify as a small batch manufacturer, meaning you make less than 75,000 units a year, made less than $1 million in gross income last year, and therefore don’t have to go through rigorous third-party testing for CPSC requirements on flammability and lead. So why talk about regulations and limit your freedom to design? It’s simply to avoid risk. I’m no Quality Assurance or Compliance expert, but as a designer it’s good to be mindful of the use of your products to protect your customers and your business. So here’s an overview of three major CPSC tests and requirements to keep the wee ones safe.

1) Pull Test & Drawstrings

What's the Risk?

Buttons, bows, fringe and other embellishments can be pulled off by little fingers and go straight into the mouth, becoming a choking hazard! Cases of strangulation by jacket hood drawstrings on playground slides and waist drawstrings on jackets being caught in moving school bus doors and dragging children have also been reported.

What are the Rules?

  • No drawstrings on hoods and children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T to 12

  • No toggles, knots, and other attachments at the free ends of waist drawstrings

  • No more than 3 inches of a drawstring outside of a casing when the garment is extended to its fullest width

  • Clothing made for children ages 3 and under need to be evaluated for potential choking hazards, such as small buttons, rhinestones or sequins

Design Suggestions:

  • Machine bar tack trim securely to garments and baby products so they can’t be easily pulled off

  • Leave ribbon belts untacked on garments in case they get caught in an escalator so a child can easily escape

  • Avoid toggles on drawstrings since they get caught in small gaps on playground equipment such as slides.

  • Use velcro, snap, and button closures on jacket hoods instead of drawstrings

  • Avoid pom-poms, sequins, and beading. I know they're cute! But save it for kids 4 and up

  • Screen print or embroider patterns and designs on fabric

Check out the requirements of ASTM F1816-97, Standard Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children's Upper Outerwear "Standard."

2) Lead Tests & Phthalates

What’s the Risk?

Excessive lead in fabric dyes, trim finishes, and surface prints can poison kids! Phthalates are chemical plasticizers used in the production of plastics and paints. There are currently six types of banned phthalates in toys and child care articles that are used to facilitate sleeping, feeding, teething, or sucking.

What are the Rules?

  • No more than 100 ppm total lead content in a garment or soft good

  • No more than 90 ppm lead in finishes and surface prints

  • No more than 0.1 percent of DEHP, DBP, BBP phthalates in products used for sleeping or that can be placed in the mouth

  • No DINP, DIDP, and DnOP phthalates

Design Suggestions:

  • Use fabrics with organic and vegetable dyes

  • Use natural fibers

  • Check lead content of hardware including enamel snaps, buckles, and buttons

  • Check lead content in non-metal trim and embellishments such as puff prints and screen print

Check out www.cpsc.gov/lead and www.cpsc.gov/phthalates for more information.

3) Flammability Test & Sleepwear Flammability

What’s the Risk?

Loose fitting sleepwear, thinner fabrics(less than 2.6 oz), and fuzzy fabrics with a pile can ignite and burn quickly from small-open flames. With CPSC 1610 Flammability Standard, a fabric’s relative flammability is determined by considering its surface structure, weight, and content. Sleepwear for children 0-6 months+ and 7 to 14 years are further regulated by CPSC Standards for the Flammability of Children’s Sleepwear.

What are the Rules?

  • Plain surface fabrics(with no pile) over 2.6 oz are exempt from flammability testing regardless of fiber content

  • Plain and raised surface fabric made of acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, wool, or any of those fiber combinations are exempt of testing regardless of weight  

  • Hats, gloves, shoes, and interlining fabrics are exempt from flammability testing

  • Children’s sleepwear must self-extinguish when exposed to a small open-flame ignition source

  • Size 9 months or smaller clothing that does not exceed 64.8 centimeters (25.75 inches) in length for a one-piece garment, or 40 centimeters (15.75 inches) in length for a two-piece garment is exempt from sleepwear regulations

Design Suggestions:

  • Use plain surface fabric over 2.6 oz such as cotton poplin or interlock

  • Avoid sheer fabrics such as rayon skirts and silk scarves

  • Avoid 100% cotton fleece and terry cloth fabrics

  • Use synthetic blend with natural fibers

Check out the details about the Flammable Fabrics Act and Flammability of Clothing.

Phew! That’s a lot of rules to remember. Let’s try to make it easier by focusing on what's important.

Keep in mind that the regulations to consider are determined by the use of your products. For example, hats exclude certain tests such as flammability because they can be removed fairly easily from a child in the case of a fire.  

Interpretation of CPSC guidelines is up to individual companies. Larger retail chains or department stores may have more testing guidelines or require use of approved testing facilities, because they are bigger targets for lawsuits than smaller shops. As a small business, the easiest way to ensure your products are safe is by taking precautions while sourcing. The United States have strict standards that keep dangerous materials from production and off the market, so it pays to source domestically. If your components are imported or manufactured overseas, ask your supplier questions.

Photos by Alex Velazquez

Markisha Velazquez is the designer and owner of Junior Baby Hatter, based in Weehawken, NJ. When she’s not making dapper caps for babies and toddlers she commutes to New York with her family and blogs about her adventures in the city.

 

 

Daytrips from NYC - The Hamptons & Montauk

Summer may be winding down, (boooo) but if you have a free weekend (a WHAT?!) and you get an early start, you can pack a whole lot of summer fun into ONE day trip. Nothing says Summer like a day at the beach, and the ultimate beach experience in the NY area? The Hamptons!

It's quite a ride from NYC, but there are a few stops along the way that will make the beach day even better. You know those amazing crunchy chocolate chip cookies we see in every Duane Reade? Tate's Bakeshop? The source of this deliciousness is right in the middle of Southampton! 1/2 mile from the train station, just off the main road. A quick detour (or not!) they offer varieties of cookies that don't make it to the shops, as well as cakes, cupcakes and ice cream sandwiches! You can stock up on treats to bring back for anyone who couldn't join you. No one can be mad at someone bearing cookies right?!

If you continue east into Montauk, the town centre is a mini vacay spot all it's own. Offering shopping, a tiny public beach that's off the beaten path, (we saw a bunny crossing from the park to the beach!!) a brew-pub, and tons of places to grab a bite, fresh seafood of course being prevalent, but my hands down favourite spot is La Brisa. A mexican restaurant with a laid back atmosphere and LOTS of outdoor seating. (if you stop in, I definitely recommend the corn esquites. it's SO good, that sometimes, we get it to go and eat in the car on the way home!) 

But the crown and glory of the east end, is of course The Montauk Lighthouse. If you're a fan of How I Met Your Mother or The Affair, you might have seen it on TV, but those shots can't do it justice. I just missed the sunset, so even my pics don't capture the majesty of it! If you can get there between 10:30 and 5pm (weather permitting) you can not only walk the grounds, including the boulder path around the tip of the island, but for $10 per adult, you can climb the 137 iron steps to the top of the tower and get an amazing 360 degree view of NY like you've never seen before!

There is so much to do out east that you may be glad there are so many beachfront inns, your day trip might turn into a spontaneous weekend!  If you can get some pals together and carpool, hop the Long Island Railroad, or the Hampton Jitney, however you travel, set aside a day to visit The Hamptons & Montauk before it gets too cold to lounge on the beach!

Post by Coleen Phoenixx

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Hawaii Part II

I’m back from Hawaii with lots of new goodies!

My Hawaii trip fabric stash.

Rather than buying the typical souvenir, I prefer visiting local fabric stores to pick out prints that inspire me during my travels.  Everything was so beautiful there that it was hard to not overload my luggage with yards and yards of fabric!  I knew for sure I wanted some bold island prints to make into crop-tops and dresses so I could incorporate the Hawaiian vacation look into my wardrobe without looking tacky.  Sadly, the Hawaiian shirts I see in tourist shops just aren’t for me. 

Koa wood turtle buttons.

And with the strong Japanese cultural influence in Hawaii, I was also pleasantly surprised to find a great selection of intricate Japanese print fabrics!

Unfortunately, with working full time as a dentist, I barely manage to keep my Etsy shop running, so I’m super impressed that my fellow Moobowy partner (etsy shop collaboration with My Cute Bow) managed to complete a gorgeous kimono robe with the fabric she bought in Hawaii.

Check out My Cute Bow’s awesome DIY kimono robe tutorial here!

For more fashion tips, cosplay and DIY, checkout My Cute Bow blog.

Post by Eugenia || www.moobury.com || Etsy || Facebook & Instagram @Moobury

5 Steps to an AMAZING Concept Image Board

Whether you’re an artist, a designer or a crafter, your work is most likely rooted in a concept. Inspiration for those concepts can come from endless places, but when it comes to building robust concepts for a collection or a new product, concept boards can be a great place to start. Concept boards are all about painting a picture of how you want something to look and feel perhaps even smell, taste and sound. They help not only to keep your vision on track but they are an excellent communication and inspiration tool for others to understand your vision.

 While Pinterest has enabled everyone the capability of collecting and organizing their favorite images, it’s only as good as you make it. It can be very intimidating and challenging to distill a sea of images. Did you know there are actual strategies for approaching mood boards and ways to ensure they are impactful? Below are my 5 tips for making amazing concept boards that I've picked up during my ten years as a designer. 

1.    Remember your proper nouns! Concept boards should include a person, place or thing. Depending upon what you are designing a concept around, a person may be important to show scale, communicate emotion or showcasing an action. A place can be critical to communicate context, mood or color palette. And well a “thing”…that can be used for just about anything!

2.    Think big AND small. When selecting images make sure to look for both macro and micro when building your composition. Big abstract images can be ideal for setting the tone or creating interest but detail shots that show connections, texture or blank can be just as compelling.

3.    Look beyond Pinterest and your industry! Creating a concept board for a new fashion collection? Look at images of hotels or fine art instead of other designers. Designing a small apartment? Reserach what is new in modular office furniture or watch a runway show for color inspiration.

4.    Take a step back...is the board pretty to look at? Sometimes we can get caught up in the details or symbolism of an image and forget to make sure that the board itself has a strong composition. This not only means the images placement on the page and cropping but also what do all the images look like together? Once you have all the content, I often recommend do another pass and select images that are harmonious. Don’t try to shoehorn a photo you love into a board, let the board build itself organically.

 5.    Break the rules. If you concept board needs more detail shots vs people, include them. It’s your concept! Have fun and be inspired!

~Amberlee

Amberlee Isabella Home

 

 

 

Hat Trend Roundup | Jazz Age Lawn Party

The second weekend of the Jazz Age Lawn Party is taking place in Governor's Island this August 13th and August 14th. During the first weekend of the 11th annual JALP, Junior Baby Hatter spotted a mashup of hat trends from the golden era of jazz up to the swinging thirties and forties. From flat caps to fedoras, here’s a little hat inspiration, and history lesson, if you’re looking to top off your twenties themed costume.

Flat Cap | Rounded cap with a small stiff brim in front

This oldie-but-goodie dates back to England in the Elizabethan Era when hats were required dress code for all common men over the age of 6 by the law. These hats were introduced to American fashion through Ellis Island by English and Irish Immigrants in the early 1900’s and later worn by taxicab drivers with two snaps under the bill to tuck their work tickets. This style of hat is formal without looking too pretentious.

Bowler | Hard felt hat with a rounded crown

Bowlers were created in the late 1800’s for gamekeeper’s to protect their noggins from branches while horseback riding and later worn by 21st century icon Winston Churchill. This hat is just plain dope. Definitely a good choice if want to look like old money from a F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.

Boater | Summer hat made of sennit straw and grosgrain ribbon

These hats wear inspired by Venetian gondoliers and later made popular by Princeton Ivy League students. If you are going for a preppy look, go with a boater hat.

Fedora | Creased, soft brimmed hat

1940’s Hollywood icon, Humphrey Bogart’s tough-guy charm branded fedoras as the go to hat for the strong silent types. Fedoras are good choice is you are going for effortlessly cool.

Cloche | Deep, bell-shaped crown and narrow brim hat

French for bell, the Cloche hat was designed in 1908 by a French milliner. It hit it’s height in popularity during the roaring twenties as the iconic look of flappers with bobbed haircuts.

Custom made Linen Cloche by Lisa McFadden.

Markisha Velazquez is the designer and owner of Junior Baby Hatter, based in Weehawken, NJ. When she’s not making dapper caps for babies and toddlers she commutes to New York with her family and blogs about her adventures in the city.

Highlights from the Renegade Craft Fair: San Francisco

Wish you were here! It was a beautiful day in San Francisco when I attended the Renegade Craft Fair at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. The event showcased over 300 makers selling a variety of handcrafted items. It was fun to chat with fellow artists and enjoy food truck snacks against the backdrop of the San Francisco Bay. So here's a shout-out to our Etsy friends on the West Coast!

Build Your Own Bento Box: How cute is this? At TwinkieChan's Bento Bar, the market-style display encouraged the creation of an original Japanese box lunch with the really sweet crocheted food! Visitors were delighted by the fun DIY's offered by the creative vendors at this Renegade fair. 

Keep It Clean: Everyone needs a good apron. Todd at Tenden designs these canvas and leather aprons, along with cool accessories, such as well-made utility rolls and leather pouches. 

Under Lock and Key: I love when the mundane is turned into something amazing and unexpected! While the old car key rings on display at Goat and Kettle are from the 1970's, some pieces date back to the 1800's.  It's fascinating to imagine what these old keys may have opened long ago! 

Piperoid Characters: These colorful paper robots from Magnote are irresistible!  Each one requires only scissors and your hands to manipulate the sheets into interlocking tubes. So hard to choose just one!

Can't wait to attend the next fair! Check out http://www.renegadecraft.com to find fairs in your area.

Post by: Nicoletta Siccone / ETSY Shop: ArtologieDesigns / Website: www.art-ologie.com

Nicoletta Siccone is a lifelong artist and art educator, with an M.A. in Art Education and Administration. She travels the world seeking cultural inspiration for her art, and has worked in fibers, acrylics, oils, and sculpture. Her current work is inspired by the reinvention of the mundane zipper, elevated to an art form into unexpected jewelry designs. Nicoletta’s artwork is shown throughout New York/New Jersey and worldwide.