February 2010 Issue

• Government cracking down on regulations

  The Federal government is increasing enforcement in several areas that impact home textiles.

• SEMA/CAR reports

  The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) commissioned forecasting reports from the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) on the specialty equipment industry to assist its members with technology and business planning.

• Consumer demand for auto aftermarket products rises

  A two-month decline in demand for auto aftermarket products reversed in December, rising six points to 38, two points better than the October reading.

• Furniture factory orders flat in October

  Orders from residential furniture factories were flat in October 2009, compared with the previous year.

• Young designers honored

  The Malaysian International Furniture Fair will offer a new young designer award during its March 2-6 show.

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  Researchers claim furniture enhances creativity

  Researchers from the Center for Cultural Studies and Analysis in Philadelphia, Pa., say furniture can provide a much-needed creative environment for children, leading to success later in life.

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  Former executive denounces Ikea in tell-all book

  Jonan Stenebo, a former Ikea executive and personal assistant to company founder Ingvar Kamprad, wrote a book criticizing the Swedish furniture company and its owners, the Kamprad family.

• Citel implements new technologies

  Technical fabric manufacturer Citel has implemented new technologies and human resources to provide better quality technical fabric products.

• Unique outdoor furniture collection

  Shou USA and Margaritaville Enterprises have partnered to design and market a new collection of outdoor furniture and accessories.

• Metropolitan Home magazine folds

  Shelter magazine Metropolitan Home stopped publishing after its December issue.

• Company anniversary

  Value Textiles is celebrating 25 years of supplying the sewing industry.

• FXI Foamex sets safety records

  FXI Foamex Innovations has gone more than a year without an OSHA recordable incident.

• Las Vegas Market changes dates

  The 2010 Las Vegas Market show dates have been moved back a month to August 2­­­­­­­-6.

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  Leather supplier gets certified for eco-friendly practices

  Gruppo Dani, a producer of leather products, received an Environmental Product Balance Certification (BAP) from the Istituto di Certificazione della Qualita per l'Industria Conciaria (ICEC).

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  Use design knowledge for business growth

  Industry experts offer the following recommendations for riding design trends to greater profitability.

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  Design trends for 2010

  Hot fabrics and cool furniture attract new customers.

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  Simplicity inspires upholsterers

  Many trends are inspired by the past, and the latest trends in furniture upholstery are no exception.

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  Leather upholstery vendors develop new looks

  Leather upholstery vendors in Las Vegas, Nev., are experimenting with various fabric and leather combinations.

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  Pantone announces top 10 colors for spring 2010

  Bright, bold colors coupled with neutral tones comprise Pantone's top 10 colors for spring 2010.

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  Tips for mixing patterns

  Combining different patterns, fabric and upholstery can create rich, intriguing interior spaces.

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  Jazz-inspired fabric patterns

  Improv is the latest line in the Alàxi collection from Silver State Inc.

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  Organic upholstery

  Mod Green Pod's Luxury Solids Collection features eight gorgeous colors, proving that organic need not be boring or bland.

• Cut yardage fabrics

  Upholstered furniture manufacturer Pearson launched a line of cut yardage fabrics.

• Fibers with solar protection

  Permanent pigment integration in Tencel Sun fiber from Lenzing provides long-term protection from solar radiation.

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  Water- and stain-repellent protectant

  MarChem CFI's new water and stain repellent utilizes green technology, emitting a five-percent level of VOCs.

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  Sun control fabric

  SheerWeave Style 2000 Series of interior sun control fabrics from Phifer Inc., is infused with Microban antimicrobial additives that inhibit that growth of bacteria, mold and mildew for the life of the shade.

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  Privacy screen and window shade fabric

  Glen Raven Custom Fabrics' Sunbrella View, a light-filtering collection suitable for privacy screens and window shades, features Captain Navy and Pacific Blue colorways.

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  UV-resistant thread

  The Right Twist line of Solar Thread PTFE sewing thread, distributed by Pennsylvania Thread Co., works with double needle machines, and new black and white threads meet Berry Amendment standards.

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  PTFE thread

  olarFix PTFE sewing thread, distributed by Quality Thread and Notions Co., is suitable for outdoor applications, including retractable awnings and marine enclosures.

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  Sewing machine stand

  Unicraft's new sewing machine stand is designed for 25-inch and 30-inch bed walking foot machine.

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  Original design on reclaimed chair

  An upholsterer creates a gift with an original geometric design.

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  Pattern matching techniques

  Expert pattern-matching techniques add value to quality upholstered products.

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  Design trends for 2010

  Hot fabrics and cool furniture attract new customers.

• Keeping customers loyal

  The human side of doing business.

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  Marketing upholstery to generations X and Y

  Although baby boomers have the longest run as the biggest population of consumers in American history, a newer group of consumers has recently moved to the forefront: Generations X and Y.

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  Use design knowledge for business growth

  Industry experts offer the following recommendations for riding design trends to greater profitability.

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  Digitally printing on leather

  Leather is starting to make headway in the digital printing market, and start-up company Digital Leather in Sarasota, Fla., is getting in on the act.

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  Custom printed fabric

  Digitally printing custom fabric gives your customers a fresh, unique approach to fabric design.

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