Industry News

Home Sewing Association closes its doors after 80+ years of service to the industry

The VDTA/SDTA would like to share with you the below letter we received in December 2007 from the Board of Directors of the Home Sewing Association (HSA).

We are sorry to hear of this unfortunate news. The HSA provided an invaluable service to the industry promoting sewing awareness to the consumer market.

Since this announcement was made public, the VDTA/SDTA office has received numerous inquiries about industry certification; therefore, at this time, we would like to make you aware of the certification opportunities that are STILL available to you, ONLY through the VDTA/SDTA.

HSA Letter:

December 10, 2007

Dear Members and Colleagues:

We regret to advise you that after 80+ years of service to the sewing industry, the Home Sewing Association will officially close its doors at the end of the year.
As your elected representatives, we have endeavored to keep the Association operating to fulfill its mission to “Get People Sewing!” Recent marketing programs – including Sew Trendy, Trained Sewing Educator and the Girl Scout kit promotion have shown great promise. In addition, members and sewers alike have benefited from our informative newsletters and website, together with our range of industry and consumer services.
However, we have not been able to absorb the costs – and potential liabilities – of a wrongful termination lawsuit which was filed against the Home Sewing Association in 1996. The lawsuit was tried before a jury in the state of New York in October 2006 and an unfavorable verdict was rendered against HSA.
The Board has engaged in a year-long assessment of the options available to deal with this unfavorable judgment and the additional cost of an award for plaintiff’s attorney’s fees in the case. It is our determination that the Association can no longer provide a viable level of industry service given this enormous financial burden.
Therefore, the Board of Directors of the Home Sewing Association has made the difficult decision to cease operations as of December 31, 2007. The dissolution of the Association and its remaining assets, such as the National Sewing Show, will be managed under the guidance of a chapter 7 bankruptcy of the Court of New York. Updates will be provided when information becomes available from the Trustee on the disposition of assets. We will be filing a bankruptcy petition for HSA in that court shortly.
We wish to thank you for your membership support and wish you continued success in your sewing industry endeavors in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Dan Covitt
A.E. Nathan & Co.

Stephanie Dell’Olio
Marcus Fabrics

Martin Favre
Bernina of America

Jim Hankins
Textile Creations

Eric Herman
Air-Lite Manufacturing

Peter Isaacson
Fabric Place

Eric McMaster
Kwik Sew Pattern Co., Inc.

June Mellinger
Brother International

Johan Starrenburg
Prym Consumer USA, Inc.

Dale Sutherland
Coats & Clark

Andrew Sylvia
Cranston