Day 16: The "No Cut" Rule (Why You Can't Return Fabric)

Welcome to Week 3, Day 16 of My Dad vs. The Algorithm.

Today we are discussing the Golden Rule of Manufacturing.

My dad, Ira, recently took a call from a distressed customer. They had cut 500 yards of fabric into t-shirt panels, and then noticed a recurring knitting defect (a needle line) running through the pieces.

They wanted to return the cut pieces for a refund. Ira had to give them the hard news.

Ira’s Reaction:

""The fabric is always the scapegoat. The sewing machine skipped? Blame the fabric. The pattern was wrong? Blame the fabric. It can't talk back, so it takes the heat. Look, we want to learn. If we made a mistake, I want to know about it so I can fix it. But I can't fix a problem if you've already chopped the evidence into a thousand pieces. I can replace a roll, give credit but I can't un-cut a t-shirt. Help me help you—catch the mistake before you turn it into confetti."

Here is the logic behind the industry standard: N.C.O. (No Claims on Cut Goods).

Don't blame the fabric! Don't be like this frantic cutter pointing fingers at an innocent roll. As Ira says, once you chop it up into scraps, it’s just "confetti"—and we can't fix confetti. 🎉Remember Rule #1: Inspect BEFORE cutting.

The Cutter is the Gatekeeper

In the textile industry, defects happen. Machines are mechanical; needles break, yarn has knots. We do our best to inspect every yard, but sometimes things slip through.

However, the Cutting Room is the final firewall.

When your cutter unrolls the fabric to spread it on the table, they are supposed to be watching the fabric. If they see a hole or a run, they stop.

• If they stop: We replace the roll. No questions asked.

• If they cut: You own it.

Why Can't We Take Back Cut Goods?

It comes down to value.

1. The Roll: If you return a full roll with a defect, I can often cut out the bad 5 yards and sell the remaining 45 yards to someone else as "seconds" or sample yardage. It still has value.

2. The Cut Pieces: Once you cut the fabric into the shape of your specific pattern, it is worthless to me. I cannot sell your "Medium Sleeve" to another brand. It is now scrap waste.

How to Protect Yourself

Never blindly send fabric to a cutter and assume it’s perfect.

1. The "10% Inspection": When fabric arrives, open 10% of the rolls immediately. Check the width, the color, and the handfeel.

2. Instruct Your Cutter: Tell them, "If you see a defect, STOP and call me." Many cutters are paid by speed, so they just chop through defects unless you tell them otherwise.

Ira’s Take:

"Your cutter is your eyes. If they are cutting with their eyes closed, you are the one paying for it. Don't let them cut blind."

The Bottom Line

We stand behind our quality. If we send you bad fabric, we will fix it—but only while it is still fabric. Once it becomes a garment, our warranty ends.

Ira’s Final Advice:

"Measure twice, cut once. Inspect first, cut second. Once the scissors touch the cloth, the marriage is official."

Tune in tomorrow for Day 17!

(Missed yesterday's post about Cutable Width? Read Day 15: The Highway Theory here.)

Review our full Terms & Conditions regarding returns and claims.