Sally Miles, Associate product evaluator, Quality assurance, HSN, St. Petersburg.
By ELLEN MOSES
Published March 24, 2004
How long have you worked in quality assurance?
I came to this department six years ago and started as a lab technician. I've been in this position for six months now.
How many people work in your department?
There are about 30 of us in the department. We have gemologists, microbiologists, computer experts and a pharmacist who test products. I'm one of six who work just with the clothes. I specialize in soft lines, ready-to-wear clothing, mostly knits.
What kind of hours do you work?
8 (a.m.) to 5 (p.m.), Monday to Friday.
How did you get interested in this kind of work?
Well, gee, I started making doll clothes at 3 and 5 years old. I got my first sewing machine at 6. I've always been interested in textiles and things like that.
Do you have a degree in textiles?
No, I have a degree of hard knocks. I believe anything you dive into, you research and do as much as you can. And there's a wealth of information on the Internet or in classes here at HSN. I've done a lot of study with the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colors, the American Society for Quality and FTC rules and regulations.
What are your primary job responsibilities?
In a nutshell, my job is checking the product, since the customer can't be here; I'm kind of standing in for the customer to make sure it's a good product before it goes on the air and before it gets into the hands of the customer.
How do you evaluate a garment?
Basically we're looking for quality and workmanship.
What is the process?
The item will come in to us after the buyer has seen a list of items for a potential show. I'll start to get "fit" items. Those are items made up maybe not in the right materials or colors - they're just made to check for the right size. ... It'll come in, I'll measure it, and we'll put it on wood forms, which are like mannequins. It then goes to a fit2 session, and live models try it on. They're looking for something different than just measurements or what we can see on a form. They're feeling it: Does it move right; can you drive and not have it stretched across your back; does it itch? You'd never know from just looking at it on your desk.
Why all the attention to measurements?
Our customers can't try clothes on. It seems very simple when you go to a store and pick out any item that you want, but there's no standardization in the industry. You know, you can pull one name brand out and it fits you like a (size) 10, and then the next will say it's a 10, but it might not fit you just right. We want our customers to know, from grade to grade, from vendor to vendor, that (sizes are) all uniform.
What is your daily schedule like?
Basically, I come in and see where I'm at with my different product. I look to see what I should be expecting to come with it, what samples. Whether I need items fit or whether this now has to go to the writer. You have to be very organized. I love those little yellow sticky notes. I put them everywhere so I know which items I've "fit." I know which are in production and which I've already approved.
What happens after an item has passed the measurement, or "fit" tests?
Then the manufacturer can start making the item, in the right colors, the right materials, and they'll send swatches for wash testing. I'm also looking at the legal aspect of the (garment's) labels and packaging. The wash instructions aren't just helpful hints; they have to be exactly the way it says.
So a garment also goes through a "wash" test?
Yes, and we actually have a lab out there to test (wash) them. I did that for five years before this job, but it's an easy segue from one job to the other because it's all connected.
How many garments fail your inspection?
With soft lines, very few fail because we keep working with the manufacturer to try and correct the problem.
Can you give me an example of a garment that failed?
Well, there's a product right there that I'm waiting on. It's a beautiful dress; it's nicely made; it comes from a good company. You'd look at that in the store and think it looks fine. But look at the vent in the back. It's a 121/2-inch vent. When you sit down or step up a step, it flaps open up to there! That's something you probably wouldn't notice as a consumer. It seems so simple, but I can't accept it. I had to fail it. So I contact the factory and let them know. If they don't correct it, we'd have to drop it from the show.
After doing this all day, do you still sew for pleasure?
I just got a new sewing machine. It's 36 stitches, and it does denim to silk, and I'm having so much fun! It's a wonderful hobby.
Are there any perks of the job?
Benefits are fantastic here. ... With clothing, we have the emporiums, where employees get incredible discounts. On air we get discounts, too. It's just fantastic. I don't have to worry about shopping 'cause I know how the clothes fit that I like, so I go to the emporium and grab what I see.
How much money do you make?
I'm not a high-paid executive. I guess I'm midrange is all I would say, but I've been here 18 years.
What would your dream job be?
I'm old; I've done a lot of stuff in my life. My dream job actually would be to sit on an island painting, doing my artwork.
