Friday, June 5, 2009

A Neat Opportunity and a Contest for You

Back in February, a new law was passed pertaining to children's items. It was written in response to the toys that were imported from China and found to have dangerous levels of lead in them. But it was written so broadly that anyone making anything for children would be affected. The law said that everything made for children would have to be tested and given a certificate that said it was safe. Each and every batch would have to be tested and it was the responsibility of the one making the item. In other words I would have to test everything I made for Daddy's Little Princess. I would have to test just about each and every dress or pair of bloomers because only those that were made *exactly* the same - pattern, size, fabric, buttons etc could be counted as a batch. And I couldn't just buy materials that had been tested by their manufacturers and rely on their certificates. I'd have to do my own testing. This would of course add up considerably.

As more and more small businesses let their voices be heard, the cpsa decided to forgo the testing requirements for one year. Business owners should be careful to make and sell only safe items, but they were allowed to use their own common sense rather than deal with the testing. Unfortunately the ability to use common sense may go away in February of next year, depending on what they do about it - but at least for now Daddy's Little Princess can continue pretty much as before.

One positive thing came out of this. As I read through the law and realized that there were exemptions for completely natural materials - cotton, wool, wood - without any dyes, bleaches, etc - I started searching for sources of organic cotton fabrics. I found something wonderful - organic *color-grown* cotton! Did you know that cotton naturally grows in all kinds of shades of green, brown, and cream? I had no idea! And they can actually weave the different colors into lovely patterns, so I can get ginghams and stripes and all kinds of things. I ordered some and fell in love with the look and feel. I actually made our Easter dresses from the colorgrown cotton this year. :) It's more expensive than my usual fabrics, but not as expensive as testing everything. :)



Then, last weekend, Mike and I went to a new store called The Green Plan-It. It was a fascinating place with everything you could imagine organic/natural/or recycled. The man we spoke to told us that they had someone working with them on providing cloth diapers and they were hoping to carry a line of infants and toddlers clothing. I talked to him about the organic colorgrown cotton and he was very interested in seeing and possibly carrying some things from Daddy's Little Princess made from those fabrics!
So I've been working on some new designs. So far I have a little blouse and bloomers set. I made it of the natural muslin. It is *so* soft! And I used drawstrings rather than elastic because I can get them made of organic cotton. They are sewn in for safety of course. I'm thinking of adding just a little lace to the set too, but I have to get some more.
To go with it, I'm planning to do one of these sets:
in the green/cream gingham and another cream that has a diagonal texture woven into it. I got buttons made of wood and some of tagua nut so that even they will be completely natural materials.
So, I thought it would be fun to have a contest here in honor of the new line for the Green Plan-It. I will make either a blouse and bloomers set or a little petal dress (the dress only) in your choice of size up to 3T. You just have to be willing to send me your address. Just leave a comment here and I'll enter your name in the drawing. At the end of the week, (on Friday the 12th) I'll put all the names in a hat and let Emilie (my 2 year old) pick one out. If you don't have a little one, you probably know someone who does, to whom you could give these as a gift. Please pass on the link to my blog too!

16 comments:

  1. Wow so neat! I would love to win, but it will be a tough choice if I do!!! You do such great sewing, I wish I had that talent :) I may just have to blog about this. You inspire me as I have been following yor blog since your sweet little one went to be with the Lord a few months ago. So glad to see you are well with the Lord and continuing to praise him.

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  2. I just wanted to say how beautiful you and your family are and of course, the outfits are just as pretty!

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  3. Heidi,

    Those are beautiful!!!

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  4. Someone just let me know that blogspot would not let her comment post. I have no idea why that would happen, but if you have that trouble, feel free to email me and I'll add your name to the drawing.

    This one is for Bethany
    "I LOVE your new line, Heidi, and am excited to see what creations your wonderful mind comes up with! And I would love for a chance to enter your drawing for my wee girlies."
    - Bethany

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  5. I would really like to be included in the drawing. I don't have any little girlies now myself, but my dearest cousin is expecting her first grandbaby-a girl-any day now and I would love to give it to her. :-) (*compliments of you, of course!)

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  6. How lovely! Euphemia would make a cute model. ;) cause you probably dont have any children her size. Snort.

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  7. What beautiful work! I have a four month old daughter whom I would love to see in the petal dress!

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  8. Oh my! That is just adorable. My little one would look so cute.

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  9. I'm so glad you are better.. I hope:).
    Please, put also my name for the contest, I have a DD who'll turn 3yo, in June.

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  10. I would love to enter although it would be hard to choose...they're both so cute!

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  11. Wow! That is adorable stuff! That is great they are made of natural materials, too. :)

    Sarah L.

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  12. Those are so cute. I love the bloomers set. I have a little girl due in October. I will definitely be following up sometime in the next 6 months to buy something. Please enter me in your contest too!

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  13. Those are beautiful! Shame I don't have a little girl, just 3 rambunctious boys who aren't quite so little these days. Good luck with your venture!

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  14. I'd love to enter the contest! What lovely clothing and materials!

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  15. Oh my! I know the sweetest little girl who could use one of these! Several, actually. I have often wondered about exactly how the cpsia laws were affecting small businesses, but I had not read anything since the big push last fall against the legislation. I'm happy to hear that organic materials are exempt.

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  16. oh those are soooooo cute!! please add my name!

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