CHILDREN’S SAFETY ISSUES AUGUST 2010

1. DRAWSTRINGS, BOWS, STRINGS, TIES, AND RIBBONS (FUNCTIONAL AND NON-

FUNCTIONAL)
HAZARD
Drawstrings, ties, ribbons, etc. can catch on such items as playground equipment, bus doors, car
doors and cribs, dragging the child or possibly wrapping around the neck and strangling the child.

DEFINITIONS
Drawstrings: Ribbon or cord inserted through an encased band of fabric pulled and tied to form a
closing for hems, necklines, pants and cuffs. Drawstrings are intended to control fullness of the
garment.
Decorative Ties/Bows: Permanently tacked at the mid point, usually having two loops and two ends,
constructed of ribbon, string, narrow fabric, etc.
Ties/Ribbons/Strings: Long narrow strip of fabric, thin line of fiber or leather or braided yarn used for
tying. One end is permanently tacked to the garment.

REGULATION
Drawstring and drawcords on outerwear is a CPSC guideline incorporated by the industry as a
voluntary standard.

NORDSTROM POLICY
Must meet the minimum performance requirements listed on NPS-1
Monofilament thread cannot be used in assembly of any products

DRAWSTRINGS
 No hood and neck drawstrings on Children’s Garments (all sizes). Refer to the style spec pack
for specific style details (see sketch 1 for alternative methods.)
 No Knots on ends of drawstrings. Other methods must be used to prevent fraying. Acceptable
methods are plastic tipping, bar tacking, or heat sealed synthetic drawstrings.
 No removable toggles on ends of drawstrings. Permanent (non- removable) toggles are
acceptable.
 No drawstrings on gloves, mittens and hats.

Sketch 1

NPG Supplier Procedures Manual © 2010 Nordstrom, Inc., all rights reserved. CONFIDENTIAL: These documents contain
proprietary, trade secret, and confidential information which are the property of Nordstrom, Inc. These documents and their contents
may not be duplicated or disclosed to any other party without express authorization of Nordstrom, Inc.
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CHILDREN’S SAFETY ISSUES AUGUST 2010

WAIST DRAWSTRINGS

 Functional drawstrings for jacket waistbands and pant waistbands should measure no more than
3 inches (7.6 cm) out from the garment when the waistband is fully extended. All drawstrings
must be sewn to the garment at midpoint so that it does not pull out (see sketch 2 for example.)

Stitch at CB
Waistband fully extended

3 inches
(7.6 cm)

Sketch 2

 Non-functional drawstrings on any part of the garment can be secured at draw opening or center
front so the cord does not pull out and have ends measure no longer than 6 inches (15.24 cm)
untied (see sketch 3 for example.)

3 inches 3 inches
(7.6 cm) (7.6 cm)

Sketch 3

NPG Supplier Procedures Manual © 2010 Nordstrom, Inc., all rights reserved. CONFIDENTIAL: These documents contain
proprietary, trade secret, and confidential information which are the property of Nordstrom, Inc. These documents and their contents
may not be duplicated or disclosed to any other party without express authorization of Nordstrom, Inc.
Page 2 of 3
CHILDREN’S SAFETY ISSUES AUGUST 2010

DECORATIVE BOWS/ TIES

 Non-functional small decorative bows may have knotted ends if the bow is tacked at midpoint,
through at least two layers of fabric (one layer can be interfacing) and the ends measure no more
than 3 inches knotted. Acceptable methods of tacking the bow are using a bartack, a running
stitch past over at least four times, or a lockstitch button past over at least eleven times If a bow
is tacked over a seam, the minimum seam allowance must be 3/8” (see sketch 4 for example.)

o Sketch 4

TIES/ RIBBONS/ STRINGS

 Functional ties, ribbons and strings must be permanently sewn to the garment according to the
design specified in the spec pack so that it does not pull out (see sketch 5 for example).

Back tie is
stitched down
at sideseams only

Sketch 5

 FOR SIZE 0-4: Length of ties, ribbons and strings cannot exceed 14 inches (on each side) and/
or bottom hem of the garment.
 FOR SIZE 5-16: Length of ties, ribbons and strings cannot exceed half the waist circumference
measurement plus 3 inches and/or bottom hem of the garment.
 Non-functional ribbons and strings must be permanently tacked after every inch to the garment.

Party Responsible
 Nordstrom Product Group Kids Brand and/or Technical Design Team are responsible for Design
and Spec Pack that conforms to Nordstrom’s Policies.
 Supplier is responsible for implementing the applicable production standards, correct sewing of
bows and drawstrings and making sure measurements on drawstrings and ends are no more
than 3 inches.
 Supplier/Agent is responsible for submitting testing to a Nordstrom-approved lab.
 Agent QC/Direct Supplier is responsible for auditing in-line and final inspections making sure the
garments conform to Nordstrom’s policies.
 Nordstrom Product Group, Product Integrity is responsible for keeping testing documents for 5
years.
NPG Supplier Procedures Manual © 2010 Nordstrom, Inc., all rights reserved. CONFIDENTIAL: These documents contain
proprietary, trade secret, and confidential information which are the property of Nordstrom, Inc. These documents and their contents
may not be duplicated or disclosed to any other party without express authorization of Nordstrom, Inc.
Page 3 of 3