The NEEDLE'S EYE... Trends and Technologies Driving the Sewn Products Industry
- Patterns in the Clothing We Wear (or Wore Back in '73)
Our "Hound's Tooth" cover is the second in a 1973 series on the patterns in the clothing we wore then.
A weaver would describe it as a pointed check effect produced by a two-up, two-down broken twill with four ends and four picks in a repeat.
But to most people, hound’s tooth check is just a fabric design with tiny sooth-like projections that look like canine chompers. It is, of course, this similarity which gave the pattern its descriptive name.
The "Hound's Tooth Check," also known as houndstooth, dogstooth, or in French, pied-de-poule (hen's foot), has a long and fascinating history that transitions from humble origins to high fashion. Hound’s tooth check had its origin in homespun Scottish tweeds, and it is in such fabrics as worsteds and woolens that it is most often found today. A close look at most glen plaids will show that the tiny teeth appear there also.
The bold, graphic qualities of hound’s tooth have made it extremely popular in recent years, and the pattern has found its way into everything from floor and wall coverings to auto vinyl roofs.
Today, the Hound’s Tooth Check remains a staple in both menswear (suits, jackets, and coats) and womenswear (dresses, skirts, accessories) and is consistently seen on catwalks, particularly in fall/winter collections. Read More about the History of the “Hound’s Tooth Check” >
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!
More About the History of the "Hound’s Tooth Check"
Houndstooth, or as the French say ‘pied de poule’ (‘foot of the chicken’ - due to its resemblance to a chicken's footprint), is one of the most timeless, iconic patterns in fashion. Along with stripes, polka dots, plaids, and gingham, houndstooth is instantly recognizable due to its eye-catching monochromatic pattern. Over the decades, this classic weave has seen revival after revival from the punk era, to the power suits of the nineties, to the catwalks of the noughties - remaining consistently popular throughout.
Houndstooth has proven to be a timeless classic, continually reinterpreted and a highly recognizable pattern that symbolizes classic elegance, sophistication, and enduring style. Read More>
Industry Opinion
Consideration About the Future Actors of Our Industry
By Stefano Festa Marzotto, Miles Manifattura Spa-Commercial Director - Outerwear Division / President International Apparel Federation
Dear Friends, as President of IAF (the International Apparel Federation), I am making some consideration about the future actors of our industry: the young generation.
The new generations represent not only the future of the global clothing industry, but also the lifeblood that can drive the entire sector towards more innovative, sustainable, and dynamic horizons.
In an era where markets are rapidly changing and technologies are revolutionizing every aspect of production and use, the contribution of young people has become crucial. Creativity has always been at the heart of fashion: it's what distinguishes an idea, a garment, a brand.
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The International Apparel Federation (IAF) has announced a leadership transition, naming Stefano Festa Marzotto as its new president. The announcement was made at the 40th IAF World Fashion Convention in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He is an Italian manufacturer of high-end outerwear and a board member of the Italian association Confindustria Moda.
Young people, with their fresh perspectives and willingness to break traditional molds, bring new aesthetic visions and original concepts that can redefine styles, languages, and trends. This innovative force not only enriches the fashion landscape, but also stimulates the entire industry to evolve, experiment, and engage with new expressive frontiers. Read More>
Cluster Capital: Financing the New American Textile Ecosystem (Expanded Edition)
By Joe Altieri, FIT Adjunct Professor, Mentor, Educator, and Trainer
For decades, the American apparel industry was framed as a cost center—something to be minimized, outsourced, and managed at arm’s length. Manufacturing was stripped of its strategic role and reduced to a line item on a sourcing spreadsheet. That worldview shaped corporate decision-making for generations, hollowed out domestic capacity, and severed brands from the systems that once ensured quality, resilience, and innovation.
That narrative is no longer sustainable.As global supply chains prove increasingly fragile—and as sustainability, transparency, and geopolitical risk move from operational concerns to board-level imperatives—manufacturing is being reclassified for what it truly is: an investment. Not simply an investment in production, but in control, speed, resilience, and long-term enterprise value.
And like any serious investment, rebuilding the American apparel industry requires more than nostalgia or patriotic rhetoric. It requires capital—strategic, patient, and aligned with a long-term vision that recognizes manufacturing as infrastructure, not overhead. Read More>
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 Unofficial Code of the Garment Engineer
From Pat Trautman, Consultant in Preproduction Design Process for the Apparel Complex Worldwide
Every industry has its unspoken rules — the things veterans know instinctively but rarely say aloud. But in garment engineering, the unwritten rules carry even more weight. They’re the quiet logic behind decisions, the intuition behind corrections, the reason some teams stay calm through chaos while others drown in it.
You don’t learn this code from manuals. Or onboarding binders. Or software tutorials.
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You learn it the hard way: in fit rooms, factory calls, mislabeled samples, unclear tech packs, fabric surprises, late-night approvals, and the thousands of micro-decisions that happen between design and production. This is the knowledge people accumulate over decades — the kind that doesn’t make it into training documents but defines the success of every season.
Here is the Unofficial Code of the Garment Engineer. Not the polished, corporate version, but the real one insiders actually live by. Read More>
Here is the Unofficial Code of the Garment Engineer. Not the polished, corporate version, but the real one insiders actually live by. Read More>
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.
Is the AI Boom Going to Invite an Investment Bubble?
By Nironjan Roy, CPA, CMA — Certified Anti-money laundering Specialist and Banker
In the middle of last month's trading, Oracle shares had dropped sharply, with a single-day slide of about 10%, the largest in 2025. On that trading day, Oracle's shares were the worst performer in the S&P 500 and dragged the Nasdaq Composite into the red, although the Dow Jones Industrial Average maintained an over 1% gain. Of course, there are several reasons and rationales behind such a significant fall in Oracle's share price, which is an entirely different aspect of discussion. However, such a significant fall in Oracle's share is viewed as fear-inducing, concerning, and particularly alarming for AI (Artificial Intelligence) industry players.
Needless to say, AI is the most discussed topic across media, academia, the tech industry, financial markets, and even among regulators. Both the use and abuse of AI have already started. Commercial places, offices, establishments, and even banks have already begun applying AI tools, and for this purpose, they are making significant investments in this sector.
Tech companies, particularly those with massive wealth, are pursuing massive investments and thus getting involved in competition among industry players for leadership in the AI world. These tech companies have been investing heavily, a large portion of which is generated from advertising and cloud computing. It has been learned that there was no significant debt-driven investment in building networking and computing infrastructure, so there was no scope for an investment bubble. However, the scenario has changed while investing in AI infrastructure, as increasingly borrowed money is being invested in this sector. It is true that big tech giants, which are financially strong, are making most of their investments from their own sources, but many companies are becoming highly leveraged, which may result in a bubble at some point. 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.
Industry News
SPESA Announces 2026 Advancements In Manufacturing Technologies
SPESA (Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas) is pleased to announce that early bird registration is open for its 2026 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference, taking place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. The event will be hosted at the Columbus Fashion Alliance’s (CFA) flagship location, The LOOM, a massive, multi-use innovation hub, slated to open early next year.
SPESA’s annual Advancements Conference brings together manufacturers, technology providers, and other industry leaders to explore the latest tools and technologies shaping the future of sewn products manufacturing. Programming will focus on solutions that improve efficiency, scalability, workforce development, and competitiveness across the sewn products supply chain, including automation, digital production tools, data-driven decision-making, and other cutting-edge solutions across production operations. 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.
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.
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
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.
Supply Chain
US Imports of Chinese Textiles and Clothing Slump
US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs have not curbed US textile and apparel imports, which held steady at $80.5 billion over the first three quarters. While China, the country’s leading supplier, saw shipments fall by 27% over the period, buyers simply shifted their orders to other Asian countries.
The publication of these figures was delayed until December by the “shutdown,” which occurred amid bitter budget negotiations. The consequences of the all-out tariff stand-off launched by the White House in April were widely anticipated; they can now be quantified.
China, the trade adversary singled out by Donald Trump, exported “only” $14.3 billion of textiles and apparel to the US market over nine months. This represents a 27% decline over the January to September period, yet China remains the US’s leading supplier.
Above all, China’s decline masks an acceleration in US orders from its direct competitors. Imports of textiles and apparel from South-East Asia rose by 15.9% to $24.3 billion. Read More>
World of Fashion
5 Active NBA Stars With Their Own Clothing Lines
The National Basketball Association's (NBA) tunnel fashion game is evolving at a tremendous rate and has cemented itself as one of the major pre-game events, giving the players the feeling of walking down the red carpet.
It features not just casual wear but also high-end luxury items from various labels. This opportunity allows players to leverage their looks for personal branding and to generate online buzz.
From wearing clothes from different brands to promoting their own, the pre-game corridor is a social media phenomenon with incredible marketing force.
Here are five active stars who have successfully traded the jersey for the designer's sketchpad: Russell Westbrook, Kyle Kuzma, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry. Read More>
