TTS can cut interlining in country now! 

The non-woven fusible interlining can now be cut to order in country.

Most companies making placket or Polo shirts  normally use this interlining in the front placket to  reinforce the operation. The interlining makes it look good!
We can now cut the interlining to the width that you need with one of our machine, and then we can cut off the center pices to create slots that will allow the fuse and fold process on an other machine.

This Fuse and Fold lining will allow you to increase productivity and obtain better quality with this type of garments.

The shirt placket is an integral part of a shirt appearance. This is where the buttons and button hole placement appear and require a support system so that they retain their appearance. Better shirt manufacturers prepare the placket as a separate unit and because it is sewn into the garment, the shirt has a more finished look. This method of production allows the designer of the garment more freedom in the garment design such as the color of the collar which can coordinate to the inside of the placket.

A lesser expensive means of manufacturing a shirt placket is to extend the placket opening in the body of the shirt, fuse it, and fold it in. This method of production requiresthat the shirt body be passed through the fusing press. Handling and processing a placket in this manner tends to be more awkward due to its size.

Fusing shirt plackets is strongly recommended because the interlining provides support to the button and buttonhole placement. Shirt manufacturers want an interlinig that will support this application and keep the appearance of the shirt fresh after repeated launderings. This is especially important for those garments that will be exposed to a commercial wash process such as enzyme wash, sand wash, stone wash, etc.Although the garment will soften during a commercial wash, the placket still needs to retain its shape and appearance.

FORM, FIT. FUNCTION. These are the key factors in garment construction and the process begins with the garment design, which is supported by the interlining which aids in the function of the garment.

Richardson Named Commerce Secretary

http://www.wwd.com/business-news/richardson-named-commerce-secretary-1877583?src=nl/mornReport/20081204

by Kristi Ellis  and  Liza Casabona 

Posted Thursday December 04, 2008

From WWD Issue 12/04/2008

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for commerce secretary, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, will take the reins of a sprawling department responsible for stabilizing key elements of the U.S. economy and trade relations.

If confirmed by the Senate, Richardson will head an agency that monitors the apparel and textile trade through the Office of Textiles and Apparel and make decisions in trade remedy cases. Part of the larger mission of the far-reaching Commerce Department is to spur economic growth and job creation, a particularly important role as the U.S. rides out the recession. The agency oversees everything from the collection of economic data and the U.S. Census to imports, exports and intellectual property.

In addition, Commerce chairs the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, an interagency group responsible for factors that impact textile trade policy and for overseeing the implementation of textile trade agreements. CITA also includes members from the State, Labor and Treasury Departments and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Richardson was serving his second term as governor of New Mexico and was an early rival of Obama’s in his bid for the presidency. He served as an ambassador to the United Nations and then energy secretary during the Clinton administration. Before joining Clinton’s cabinet, Richardson served 14 years in Congress.

In making his announcement in Chicago on Wednesday, Obama said Richardson’s breadth of experience made him well suited to help put the U.S. economy on track. “I know that Bill will be an unyielding advocate for American business and American jobs, at home and around the world,” Obama said.

Kevin Burke, president and chief executive officer of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, said Richardson’s broad experience “will be essential as he steps into this vital leadership role during general economic turmoil.”

Auggie Tantillo, executive director of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, said Richardson has not had a highly visible record on trade and manufacturing issues, but instead has focused primarily on international relations and diplomacy.

Obama also is said to be considering a second Hispanic politician, Rep. Xavier Becerra (D., Calif.), for the USTR, a cabinet post, according to industry lobbyists and news reports. As USTR, Becerra would help set the tone of Obama’s trade agenda, lead negotiations on trade deals and be the top enforcer of unfair trade cases against countries at the World Trade Organization.

November Same-Store Sales Drop Sharply

http://www.wwd.com/business-news/november-same-store-sales-drop-sharply-1878072?navSection=globe-news

by Arnold J. Karr 

Posted Thursday December 04, 2008

From WWD.COM

The combination of a disinterested consumer and an uncooperative calendar added up to falling November sales results for U.S. retailers, with many posting double-digit declines for the month.

However, Wal-Mart’s U.S. stores exceeded expectations and registered a 3.4 percent increase in comparable-store sales for the month based on “the strength of positive traffic and increases in average ticket,” the company said.

Increases, the exception rather than the rule, also were registered by specialty retailers The Buckle (15 percent), American Apparel (6 percent), Mothers Work (0.6 percent) and a resurgent Hot Topic (6.5 percent). Abercrombie & Fitch reported an eye-opening 28 percent drop in November comps while Gap Inc. ended the month down 10 percent. American Eagle Outfitters was down 11 percent and Pacific Sunwear down 10 percent. Limited Brands’ shortfall for the month came in at 12 percent while Chico’s FAS tracked downward 15.4 percent.

Higher-end stores continued to struggle, although Saks Inc.’s 5.2 percent drop was an improvement over its 16.6 percent decline in October. Nordstrom’s comps were off 15.9 percent. Neiman Marcus reported an 11.8 percent drop in comps for the month and singled out designer handbags, shoes and women’s fine apparel as its strongest performers.

Saks included women’s designer apparel, handbags, men’s contemporary apparel and shoes among its strongest performers while noting weakness in women’s bridge, petites and large sizes, women’s outerwear, men’s accessories, jewelry, fragrances and cosmetics, and intimate apparel.

Department stores all finished down for the month. Macy’s Inc. was off 13.3 percent, Gottschalks 13 percent and The Bon-Ton Stores 16 percent. Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Macy’s, remarked, “November ended with a strong Thanksgiving weekend, including the largest Black Friday in the history of our company.”

In the middle tier, Kohl’s was off 17.5 percent and J.C. Penney Co. down 11.9 percent. Like several other retailers, Kohl’s pointed to an improvement in the tenor of business since Black Friday.

“Post-Thanksgiving results have been significantly stronger than our prior trend, driven by planned strong promotion,” said Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s president and ceo. “Consumers are focused on value, and we have incorporated that into our promotional efforts through the end of the year.”

Jim Famalette, chairman and ceo of Gottschalks, cited the difficult combination of a tough economy and a challenging retail calendar. “Our sales results for the month reflect continued weakness in the macro environment as well as a calendar shift, which pushed a full week of post-Thanksgiving sales into the December period this year,” he said.

Dillard’s comps were down 9 percent for the month and Stage Stores’ off 8 percent.

Target’s performance fell far short of Wal-Mart’s as the company’s comps slid 10.4 percent in the month.  “November comparable store sales were below our planned range of minus 6 to minus 9 percent. Results from post-Thanksgiving holiday sales, particularly Friday, were stronger than the rest of the month, but were insufficient to offset earlier weakness,” said Gregg Steinhafel, president and ceo. “Our sales results continue to reflect a particularly challenging environment and consumers remain very cautious and event-driven in their purchasing behavior.”

The TJX Companies were down 12 percent on a same-store basis during the month, with about half of the decline attributable to unfavorable currency translation. Ross Stores suffered less, registering a 2 percent drop in comps in November.