I’ve had information that by August 14, retailers must have permanent labels on all of their children’s products – including information about when the item was manufactured – what location and what run – all the tee shirts that I have came from different times, and I have no clue as to when they were made, nor what the run number is.

Same with the embroidery thread.

And of course all the cotton fabric I have was purchased at a number of locations and times.

Someone asked me yesterday that since I was using textiles, wasn’t I exempt. There seems to be conflicting answers. However, I think what’s going to happen, is that in Feb 2010 – all items must be tested. That’s not an option for the tee shirts I use – since I have no idea which shirts that I have on hand were made at the same time – my inventory of blank tee shirts for children, turns over fairly quickly for some sizes and not for others. Do I test all of my tee shirts at once? What happens when I order more? Do those need to be tested?

Another thing that bothers me, is that each item needs to be permanently labeled with my store name, my name, contents, phone number, etc. Sewing a label is not an option as that can be taken off. So on a custom tee shirt for a child, I’m supposed to use permanent marker? I don’t think so!

I could be wrong, and all of this will change when congress decides that their regulations are too convoluted. But at this point – I’d rather take the safe route, not open myself up for lawsuits, and just fold my hand.

So as of August 14, 2009 – I will no longer be offering tee shirts for children – in any way on my website. You still have 8 days, in which to order children’s tee shirts – be sure to check out my website Sandi’s T’s and order while you still can!

Because I offer crib sets, toddler throws and bows for infants – I’m now in touch with the companies involved, to see if they will be able to comply with the upcoming labeling of items.

I’ve been sewing for years, and have always loved to shop for fabric. Once I started Sandi’s T’s – where I was doing a lot of sewing with fabric on tee shirts, I needed to have somewhere to store the fabric – for what I was using, and then what I bought to replenish. So my fabric has been a revolving stash.

At first, I was using the shelf in a couple of closets but that became a nuisance, since I was always having to get on the step stool to reach the fabric – taking it out, putting new in, etc….

After a little discussion with my DH – I decided to get a cabinet built – that would be almost floor to ceiling, with plenty of shelves.

Voila!

It’s quite tall – almost 8 feet – still a little storage room at the top for flat things. I can reach all the shelves standing on the floor for the most part. Just the top ones, I need a step stool. And I’m in and out all the time, pulling fabric out to use, adding new fabric for the next project.

Now wait a week or so and the fabric will look so different – that’s how quickly I use up and buy more!!

I have to tell you that this cabinet was so big – that my dh and son had to use the window at the back of the room – to bring the cabinet into the house – can you believe that??

Well, now that I have started crocheting again, and I do a lot of that for my Etsy shop – I’ve decided that I needed a place to put all the yarn that I’ve bought recently.

A smart lady gave me a tip of using an over the door shoe bag to store my yarn – yep, you guessed it – needed 3!!

This one has quirky yarn such as eyelash and ribbon – along with some yarn I’ve gotten to make baby blankets – going to make a couple for Project Linus.

This is the worsted weight yarn that I have to make hats and scarves.

This yarn is wool, and some cotton for making scarves and bookmarks.

Now I just have to remember where everything is stored

I have just started buying the wool yarn – as I’ve started a new craft and that is felted bowls. It’s so much fun! My previous posts talk about the bowls I’ve made so far…. more to come

Sandi