The NEEDLE'S EYE... Trends and Technologies Driving the Sewn Products Industry
The Needle's Eye — February-March 1971
- The front cover of this issue of THE NEEDLE’S EYE is the first of a series that appeared in 1971. This series was centered around PEOPLE—those individuals who are actually connected with various phases of sewing.
- Appropriately, the first cover spotlights and pays tribute to the sewing operator—the cornerstone of all sewn products manufacturers. Good operators are hard to find, are in great demand, and require many years of training to really become top-notch. It is highly beneficial, therefore, that manufacturers do everything possible to develop a corps of loyal, dependable sewing operators. One way to achieve this objective is by using modern, high-speed sewing equipment and by taking advantage of the many labor-saving devices.
- Industrial sewing machine operators are skilled workers who operate industrial sewing machines to stitch fabric and other materials for various products. These machines are typically more advanced and specialized than regular home sewing machines, designed to handle high-volume production environments such as factories, garment production, and other manufacturing sectors.
- Overall, industrial sewing machine operators play a critical role in the production process, contributing to the manufacturing of a wide range of products that are used globally.
Visit www.zund.com to discover the latest Zünd innovations in industrial digital cutting technology: specialized tooling for a perfect cut no matter what materials go into your sewn products, a full range of hardware and software options all geared toward easy, efficient workflow automation—Zünd has it all! What’s more…multifunctional cutting systems from Zünd are modular by design and easily adaptable as your cutting needs grow or change. Find the cutting solution perfectly tailored to your needs, present and future!
Contact Zünd anytime for a personal demonstration or visit us in person at ISA Sign Expo, Las Vegas, NV – April 23-25 • Texprocess Americas, Atlanta, GA – May 6-8 • Furniture Manufacturers Expo, June 11-12 • CAMX, Orlando, FL – September 8-11 • Printing United, Orlando, FL – October 22-24.
Industry Opinion #1
Manufacturing Garments in the U.S. Can Be a Concern for Bangladesh
- By Nironjan Roy, Banker, Toronto, Canada
One and half decades ago, domestic apparel made in China and Bangladesh was displayed and sold in retail stores in the USA and Canada. Gradually, items manufactured in Vietnam, India, and Indonesia started flooding the stores’ aisles.
Now, a new trend has started as retail stores in North America, especially in the USA, have started selling locally manufactured attires.
The USA is the largest market in the world flooded with very low-cost domestic apparel mostly imported from developing countries, particularly Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, and India. Very insignificant quantities of readymade garments, which are sold in the US market, are manufactured in America. Local media reports reveal that in 2023, less than 4% of readymade garments sold in America were locally manufactured.
Read More >
Nironjan Roy, Banker
Toronto, Canada
C and C Enterprise has teamed up with JACK, one of the world’s finest industrial sewing machine manufacturers, to form Jack of the Americas. Jack of the Americas distributes JACK machines throughout North America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Basin. When you buy from Jack of The Americas, we don’t just ship you a box! We help you get set up and answer any questions you may have! With over 100 years of combined experience in the industrial sewn products industry, we are proud to say that we are one of the world’s leading industrial sewing products authorities and are here to serve you! Not sure if Jack is right for you? Click on the button below for a short video showing off some of our machines. Watch it and see what Jack can do for you!
The Pathfinder M-Series® range of automated cutting machines is known for precision, very high productivity, reliability, and lowest power consumption. All 16 models are easily configured to suit most cutting applications, and, thanks to clever design, Pathfinder cutters require very little maintenance to continually deliver exceptional cut quality over a long working life.
Industry Opinion #2
Changing the Relationship Between Brands and Manufacturers
By Robert Skidmore, Trade, Small Business and Value Chain Development at International Trade Centre (Geneva, Switzerland). The International Trade Centre (Geneva) is the UN/WTO partnership for global trade. It is a platform, knowledge network, and catalyst for innovation in all tiers of the fashion supply chain.
The revitalization of American manufacturing is not just a return to tradition but a bold leap toward innovation, sustainability, and economic strength. Essential for ensuring economic sustainability, technological leadership, and national competitiveness, this transformation symbolizes resilience driven by cutting-edge technology, green energy, and a collaborative workforce.
Fashion is presented as one of the top 5 most polluting industries globally. This includes chronic over-production and excess inventory that ends up being put in landfills and sapping the profitability of brands and manufacturers. We know the green transition must include a massive transformation in this truly global industry.
Robert Skidmore is proud of ITC's role with the IAF (International Apparel Federation) and lead author John Thorbeck in putting forward the transformative approach presented in Under the Banyan Tree. The paper presents an approach to transform the apparel value chain by fundamentally changing the relationship between brands and manufacturers. Right now, the relationship is adversarial, focusing on price per unit and building in long lead times. This paper presents a true shared-risk model that shortens lead times, reduces over-production and waste, and increases profitability for all actors. Read More >
Diamond Needle Corp., Founded in 1951, is one of the world’s largest distributors of sewing machine needles. Our alliance with ORGAN NEEDLE CO. of Japan, as their exclusive North American distributor, gives us the backing of the world’s leading quality maker of sewing machine needles.
UpFront with American Leather
Custom Furniture Made Easy with Zünd Cutting Technology
American Leather has built its success on rapid production, vertical integration, and a strong partnership with Zünd. In the past 5 years, Zünd digital cutting systems have become a key component of their production process. Zünd cutting solutions and workflow automation have enabled American Leather to maintain exceptionally high-quality standards and efficiently fulfill the growing demand for custom-made furniture with fast turnaround times.
American Leather, a U.S. custom furniture manufacturer based in Dallas, Texas, was founded 32 years ago by an engineer who saw an opportunity to improve lead times in the furniture industry. At the time, the main supplier of leather furniture to the U.S. was an Italian manufacturer with standard lead times of 16-22 weeks. In contrast, American Leather sought to build furniture domestically and deliver much faster - in 4 weeks or less!
At present, the company employs about 700 people and produces around 400 pieces of furniture daily, with no finished goods kept in inventory. In keeping with an on-demand, mass-customization model, every piece is custom-made for individual consumers or stores.
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Industry News
NCTO Welcomes President Trump’s Executive Order on Trade Directing Federal Agencies to Investigate the Impact of Unfair Trade Practices and Review Penalty Tariffs and De Minimis Reform
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber to finished sewn products, issued the following statement from President and CEO Kim Glas regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order, the “America First Trade Policy.” Read More >
AAFA, FLA Delegation Visits BGMEA to Strengthen Collaboration on Workers' Rights
A high-level delegation from the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) visited the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The visit aimed at discussing workers' rights issues and exploring ways to enhance the partnership between the U.S. and Bangladesh in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector. Read More >
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The Merrow Group consists of three unique divisions, all designed to support and accelerate the growth of soft-goods manufacturing. One of these divisions is their Wholesale Group: Superior Sewing Machine & Supply. Superior, the largest wholesale supplier of more than 72,000 products to sewing factories across North, Central, and South America, plays a vital role in supporting the broader manufacturing ecosystem. In an industry where precision, speed, and reliability are crucial for maintaining competitive production, having access to in-stock items is not just convenient, it is essential. Superior operates a network of 1,600 resellers that support approximately 70,000 factories across North, Central, and South America. This extensive network enables Superior to swiftly introduce new technologies and products that can significantly enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of soft goods manufacturing.
What's Driving the Future of Fashion and Apparel
The 2025 Aptean Fashion and Apparel Trends & Technology Report is here. Designed for industry leaders, this guide reveals how technology and innovation are driving growth in the fashion and apparel industry.
What's inside: • Cybersecurity Priorities: 31% of businesses cite cyber threats as their top external pressure, with breaches costing an average of $9.36M in the U.S. • Cloud ERP Success: Organizations leveraging cloud ERP report up to 0.9% higher revenue growth compared to on-premise systems. • AI Transformation: 98% of apparel companies are now exploring or implementing AI, with generative AI predicted to add up to $275B in profits over the next 3-5 years. • Data-Driven Growth: Businesses using industry-specific solutions anticipate 2.7% higher revenue growth compared to those using generic systems.
DeSL And Browzwear Partnership Bridges PLM And Digital Workflow
DeSL announces partnership with Browzwear to deliver their digital product development technology directly within Product Lifecycle Management software. DeSL is a market leader in digital transformation solutions, including integrated end-to-end PLM software for the fashion, apparel, textile, footwear, and retail sectors. Read More >
Sustainability
OEKO-TEX Updates Stricter BPA Limits and Organic Cotton Rules
Fostering trust within the textile and leather industry remains the mission of OEKO-TEX®. Since trust relies on consistently high standards, the OEKO-TEX® Association has released the updated testing criteria, limit values, and guidelines for its certifications based on the latest scientific research and legal developments.
Key changes include enhanced organic cotton certification through OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON, with inclusion in OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN, stricter BPA limits under OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, and rigorous transparency requirements for leather supply chains under OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD. Read More >
Since 1898, Consew has designed and manufactured the most reliable machines in the sewing industry. Today, Consew has one of the largest varieties of sewing, cutting, and pressing equipment; as well as an extensive line of supplies related to the sewn products industry. From standard walking foot machines for upholstery to specialty 4 needle lockstitch machines for parachutes, from long-arm zig-zag (up to 30”) machines for boat sails to extra heavy-duty machines for webbing, Consew has it all. Our machines are well-designed for sewing leather, canvas, shoes, saddles, mattresses, tents, tarps, and sails, as well as jeans and other garments. With offices in New Jersey, Miami, and Los Angeles, as well as a distribution network throughout the world, Consew can quickly supply and service the machines you need.
Under Armour: New Standard for Developing Textiles with Low Microfiber Discharge
Building on a 2023 rapid test for the detection of microfibers in sample water, sporting goods brand Under Armour, testing laboratory Hohenstein, and testing device maker PPT Group have published a standardized test method that enables the determination of microfiber release from textiles under simulated washing conditions.
With the new DIN SPEC 19292, apparel and textile companies along the value chain can measure and (e.g. comparatively) evaluate the extent of fiber release for different materials as part of their product development. Read More >
Washing machines in Hohenstein Lab
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Americas 21st offers comprehensive assistance in equipment, training, engineering, ergonomics, and workforce development. Notably, we proudly hold the distinction of being the sole government-accredited Sewing Mechanic Training Program in North America. Additionally, we stand out as the exclusive provider of the TSS lean sewing production system, accompanied by a distinctive line of ergonomic sewing accessories tailored to enhance efficiency and comfort in the sewing process.
Supply Chain
American-Sewn: A Once-Thriving Sewing Industry is Lining Up for a Comeback
By R.J. King, Editor of DBusiness Magazine
With clients ranging from manufacturers and contractors to different branches of the U.S. military, Tim Rose and his dozen employees are on pace to produce more than 150,000 bags, straps, and canvas covers this year. That’s more than double the output from 2023.
“We get the drawings and the specs from our customers, and we make covers for military personnel and equipment,” says Tim Rose, president of Textile Fabrication and Distribution Inc. in Mount Clemens, Michigan. “We also have automotive and industrial clients.”
While there’s plenty of demand for domestically produced products, the craft of threading by hand or operating a commercial sewing machine is notches from where it once was. At the same time, the production workforce has steadily been trimmed by overseas competition and robotics.
Read More >
C and C Enterprise is the United States agency for Highlead sewing machines. These high-quality machines are available for your sewing needs and are sold only through local dealers and distributors. If you want more information on the Highlead brand, please feel free to contact us. www.candcenterprise.com
World of Fashion
Shapewear Brand Spanx is Launching a New Collection of Sculpting Jeans
Spanx LLC has launched SPANXsculpt ReDefine, a denim collection featuring cutting-edge technology that revolutionizes both comfort and fit. The collection is created with LYCRA FitSense denim technology, a new fabrication with integrated, targeted sculpting zones that provide tummy control, thigh shaping, and butt-lifting. As the first brand to use this technology, Spanx is delivering the innovation it’s known for, all while equipping women with superior comfort and premium sculpting that has never been experienced in denim until now.
The Spanxsculpt ReDefine collection is made with a patented technology called Lycra FitSense, which gives denim comfortable sculpting capabilities, per the brand. Read More >
Henderson Sewing Machine Co, founded in 1968, is a global supplier of industrial sewing machines, sewing machine parts, and custom automated sewing machines for the SEWING PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. We have grown by offering customers the highest quality products at competitive prices with superior customer service. We also have a cutting-edge engineering team that designs custom automated systems to fill any need you may have.
