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The next time you’re out around town, notice the T-shirt wearing habits of those around you. Look one way, and you might see a skateboarder wearing a T-shirt large enough for him and three of his friends. Look the other way, and you might see a hip teenager sporting a tee that looks as if it were designed to fit her baby sister. Look at yourself, and you might see the middle ground.

Once upon a time, T-shirts were a fairly uniform fashion trend. Small, medium or large was the consumer’s biggest decision besides color. Suddenly, age and gender are major factors in determining what styles are popular. While young men and teenage boys have embraced the oversized look, their female counterparts are rediscovering a look their mothers wore as youths, the fitted baby doll tee. But what are mainstream consumers looking for?

As the retail market wavers between fitted and oversized, embroiderers must tread the fine line between fashion and function. While more retail-oriented sizing trends have made the transition from department stores to T-shirt shops, the embellishment market will always be dominated by the basic tee.

The general consensus in the industry is that T-shirt sales will continue to be dominated by larger sizes, yet the oversized trend may be leveling out. At the same time, specialty tees are capturing a small portion of the embroidery market and are casting sizing specifications into the spotlight.

SIZING IT ALL UP

You’ve probably handled enough T-shirts in your time that sizing specifications are a minor consideration. A large is a large is a large, right? Wrong. While most major manufacturers have similar specifications, there are differences. One way to decide which T-shirt size is right for your customer is to examine the manufacturer’s specifications. Does your customer want an oversized or true fit? Are such details as double-needle hems and tubular collars important to him? Which fabric weight will best support your design? Educating yourself about T-shirt sizing specifications can help you sell the right shirt.

So, what measurements do manufacturers use to document their specifications? Many manufacturers have unique measurements designed for their specific garments, but there are standard measurements that apply to most companies. Some of the most important include:

  • Chest Width. This describes the area from one sleeve to the other, the area that is most often the target for your embroidery. This specification is achieved by measuring the distance across a flat shirt, beginning at the bottom of one armhole and ending at the bottom of the opposite armhole. Some manufacturers measure from 1 inch below each armhole.
  • Body Length. This specification measures the length of the shirt, from the point where the collar and shoulder seam meet to the bottom hem of the shirt.
  • Sleeve Length. Also called sleeve top, this describes the length of the sleeve from the shoulder seam. It is measured from the outside fold of the shoulder point (where the sleeve meets the shoulder seam) to the sleeve’s bottom hem.
  • Neck Opening. There are several dimensions on a T-shirt’s neck opening, including the distance from one side of the collar across to the other and the distance from the top of the collar to the bottom, a measurement that is often called neck drop. In most cases, neck opening is a measurement describing the width from one side of the collar to the other. The drape of the collar, then, is a combination of the neck opening and neck drop measurements.

There’s a plethora other specifications manufacturers use, some of which are armhole opening, collar length and length of shoulder seam. An important point to remember when evaluating manufacturers’ specifications is that while each company adheres to standard measuring procedures, hidden factors affect the final measurements. A scooped-out neck, for example, has a different neck opening measurement than another type of collar. Also, a company that provides more length between the neck and shoulder seams may have shorter sleeves than those that do not, something that is not reflected in the sleeve length measurement alone. Examine the different specifications, and experiment with different brands to know which shirt (or shirts) best fit your buying needs.

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Antonio-Massey

Antonio Massey

Production Team: Folder

Antonio Massey recently joined NWCA in June of 2022. His role on the Production Team has greatly improved our processes and productivity. Antonio is always willing to lift heavy boxes or help his co-workers during busy times. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his dog and mastering video games.

Alicia-Wada

Alicia Wada

Shipping Clerk

Alicia Wada is passionate about helping her co-workers at Northwest Custom Apparel in any way that she can. She works in our Shipping and Logistics department. Alicia, who goes by Ali, has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics. She lived in Japan for ten years and recently brought her family to America in 2019. She is interested in learning crafts and textile art from around the world.

Erik-Mikelson

Erik Mickelson

Manager

Erik Mickelson’s position as Manager is more than a job, it’s a passion. It’s always fun and exciting because he enjoys marketing, computers, and coming up with innovative ideas to help NWCA grow. He majored in accounting and finance at Washington State University, graduating in 1996, and returned to school to obtain his Master of Business from WGU, graduating in 2016. Erik continually strives to advance his education through podcasts, audiobooks, and industry tradeshows. He is married to a remarkable and caring wife named Wendy, a Registered Nurse, with whom he shares his many hobbies and a love for the outdoors.

 

Ruth-Nhoung

Ruth Nhoung

Production Manager

Ruth Nhoung is our Production Manager and Northwest Custom Apparel is lucky to have her. Thanks to her vast knowledge of machine embroidery and dedication to creating a comfortable and supportive work environment, the production plant runs smoothly and customers are pleased with our work. She is a loving mother and grandmother and enjoys spending quality time with her siblings. She says, “I love everything about Northwest Custom Apparel: the people, the atmosphere, the work, and the customers. I love what I do and I embrace all of NWCA’s core values”.

Steve-Deland

Steve Deland

Art Director

Steve Deland has been our amazing Artist since 2017. He loves working at Northwest Custom Apparel because he appreciates the goal-oriented, progressive-thinking management style. He is most passionate about his art, which includes scroll saw woodwork, and his five grandchildren.

 

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Taylar Hanson

Sales

Taylar Hanson is a highly acclaimed Saleswoman at Northwest Custom Apparel. She has a BA in Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles from Washington State University. “Go Cougs!” The best part of Taylar’s job is getting to work with longtime customers who trust us to do the best work and take care of their needs. She is passionate about appreciating nature, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Nika-Lao

Nika Lao

Sales

Nika Lao is very knowledgeable in how the business is ran because she began as an Embroidery Machine Operator and has worked hard to become the excellent and personable saleswoman she is today. She enjoys the stress-free environment and the many chances to connect with her co-workers over potlucks, BBQs, and bowling parties. Nika is a proud sister of two highly successful brothers and can boast mastering three languages herself: Khmer, Thai, and English. She is an avid camper, enjoys going to farmer markets, and loves cooking.

Bradley-Wright

Bradley Wright

Accountant

Bradley Wright has been a vital team member of NWCA since 2017. As our accountant and knower-of-all-things, Bradley is proud to work closely with his wonderful colleagues. He studied at the University of Washington. These days he dedicates his free time to his new house.

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Dominic Nguyen

DTG Operator

Dominic Nguyen recently joined our Direct-To-Garment department. He says he loves the family work environment at Northwest Custom Apparel. In his free time, Dom likes to listen to music, hangout with friends, and play video games. He comes from a very big family which can be very chaotic at times, but is always exciting.

Sothea-Tann

Sothea Tann

Production Team: Trimmer

Sothea Tann recently joined the Production Team in 2022. She finds Northwest Custom Apparel to be a good working environment with helpful and friendly staff. In her free time, Sothea spends quality time with her family and, overall, focuses on a peaceful and happy lifestyle.

Brian-Beardsly

Brian Beardsley

DTG Supervisor

Brian Beardsley has been with Northwest Custom Apparel since 2018. He is our DTG Supervisor. Brian loves that he gets to work with high-tech machines in a fun atmosphere. He has a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. He said, “I always wanted to create visually interesting assets in a variety of mediums”. In his free time, he enjoys building and painting models, playing video games, designing, and playing his guitar.

UT-Tri-Tran

UT Tri Tran

Embroidery Machine Operator

UT Tri Tran loves Northwest Custom Apparel so much that, although she has already retired after a long career in machine embroidery operations, she is happy to return part time. She says, “I love the family style work environment and how everyone shares food, laughter, and fun on a regular basis.” In her free time she is dedicated to living a healthy and peaceful lifestyle with her friends and family.

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BunsereytheavyHoeu

Embroidery Machine Operator

BunsereytheavyHoeu, who goes by Theavy, won our Operator of the Year in 2021. She takes on many roles in the production team. She says, “These are not my co-workers, these are my family! I cherish all the memories we make together”. When she goes home to be with her family, she makes the most of her time with them by holding family get-togethers and even karaoke competitions.

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Sreynai Meang

Embroidery Machine Operator

SreynaiMeang is a hard-working Machine Operator. She is most passionate about helping people. Sreynai, who goes by Nai, likes to exercise in her free time and talk with her family in Cambodia.

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Kanha Chhorn

Embroidery Machine Operator

Kanha Chhorn has been an Embroidery Operator with Northwest Custom Apparel since 2018. She is delightful and always makes everyone smile and laugh. Kanha takes on additional tasks that allow us to exceed our customers’ expectations. In her free time, she can be found at her local temple or spending quality time with her family and friends.

Savy-Sorm

Savy Som

Embroidery Machine Operator

SavySom is one of our Machine Operators who is passionate about embroidery and sewing. She enjoys working at NWCA because of its flexibility. She has two teenage sons and loves spending time with her family on the weekends.

Sorphorn-Sorm

SorphornSorm

Embroidery Machine Operator

SorphornSorm has been a Machine Operator since 2011. One of her four sisters works here as well. Her other relatives are in Cambodia. In her free time, Sorphorn studies English, listens to music, and enjoys exercising.

Jim-Mickelson

Jim Mickelson

CEO

Jim Mickelson, after a successful career with a major oil company, founded Northwest Embroidery in 1977. This was the first commercial embroidery in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years, Jim has become the guru of embroidery never refusing to answer a question or offer advice to his fellow embroiders. Jim and his wife Leeanna raised four wonderful children who went on to successful business careers.