Specialty Fabrics Review July 2019 - 68

THE GREATER GOOD

A common thread
Diamond Brand Gear is leading a regional effort to revive
the art of sewing through education and collaboration.
BY HOLLY EAMON

W

ith roots extending to 1881,
Diamond Brand Gear in Fletcher,
N.C., continually works to build
upon its legacy. The outdoor and military gear
manufacturer is revitalizing not only its brand
but also the industry's core craft: sewing.
From hosting facility tours and a temporary
pop-up retail factory to spearheading a
workforce development initiative for cut-andsew companies, Diamond Brand is igniting
interest in U.S. manufacturing across western
North Carolina.
"Collaboration is one of our company
values," says Lauren Rash, chief operating
officer. "If we grow the industry for the greater
good, our piece of that pie will grow too. It's
ingrained in our DNA to be good stewards of
our community and our employees."
Education became a company focus when
summer camps started requesting facility
tours for 5- to 12-year-old participants.
These expanded to youth of all ages as high
school teachers encouraged their students
to explore textile career opportunities. Even
curious press members receive the same tour
experience: Individuals are paired with one of
Diamond Brand's 60 employees, given scrap
fabric and control of a sewing machine, and
taught to make a drawstring backpack or tote
bag they later take home.
On top of being an easy way to upcycle
fabric, this helps spark awareness in younger
generations and allows the employees to
become stewards and teachers of their craft,
Rash says. "The kids love it and our team
feels just as encouraged afterward. Even
though we use lean techniques and automated
machinery, we experience the art of making
things every day."
February marked a year's end of a
successful pop-up retail factory Diamond
68 REVIEW JULY 2019

Brand opened in downtown Asheville, N.C.
Employees sold and repaired products and
taught people how to sew or repair their own
gear. Participants ranged from bridal parties to
tourists passing through. The location closed
for building renovations, but the company is
open to hosting similar events in the future.
Rash knew she was not alone in looking
to broaden these teaching skills. To ensure
adequate attendance to support continual
semesters of a potential sewing course at
community colleges, she enlisted the help
of other cut-and-sew companies in her region
to develop a course curriculum.
"At our first meeting we had 20 companies
represented across five counties. Whether
we have two or 100 employees, the common
thread among us is the desire to grow the
industry, but we don't have the in-house
resources or capacity to even teach new hires
the basics of sewing," Rash says.
Calling themselves the North Carolina
Cut and Sew Coalition, the group narrowed
its focus to workforce sewing training;
sewing mechanic training; and dispelling
old myths about textiles. They've made the
most headway so far on workforce training.
Rash reached out to a West Coast makers
coalition in Seattle that had created a basic
apprenticeship program. With their help and
funding from the Carolina Textile District,
the North Carolina coalition developed a
60-hour course that two community colleges
will offer this September.
"Our hope for the future is to build and
grow an apprenticeship program throughout
high schools, but this is a great foundation for
us and hopefully something companies in
other regions can model," Rash says.
Holly Eamon is an editor and writer based
in Minneapolis, Minn.

Diamond Brand hosts interactive facility
tours for school-age groups to help educate
more people about the industry and give
employees the experience of teaching their
craft. Photo: Diamond Brand Gear.

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Fabrics
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The Greater Good focuses on IFAI
member companies that do good
business-and also strive to be
good neighbors, good citizens
and good partners. From hiring
the disadvantaged to creating a
recycling network to paying
employees for community service
during the off-season, we want
to recognize the organizations
that share their success.
If you'd like to see your company
highlighted here, please email
associate editor Sammi Jones,
smjones@ifai.com.
http://www.ifai.com/industrial-fabrics-foundation/ http://www.indfabfnd.com
Specialty Fabrics Review July 2019

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