02.23.11

TOP URGENT

After receiving important feedback from several customers we are issuing a VOLUNTARY RECALL on all CHELSA DRESSES, ITEM D108

We at Matilda Jane Clothing strive to make the highest quality products that are safe.  For the first time in our history, we are voluntarily recalling one of our products, the Chelsa Dress, due to the fastening of the button.  We feel this item could cause danger to a child and ask that you immediately inspect your dress.  The item in question is the Chelsa Dress from the Spring 2011 House of Clouds collection.  The item number is D108 and was sold in sizes 2, 4, and 6. Every customer who purchased one of these dresses will be receiving an email  by Friday, February 25, 2011 with instructions on how to complete the voluntary recall process.  For those customers who do not have an email address on file with us, a letter will be sent to their home mailing address.

I am so sick over this, and I am so sorry. I promise we strive to make the best quality product however, the Chelsa Dresses with loose buttons should have never left our workshop. Never.  I ask that you IMMEDIATELY inspect the Chelsa Dress if you have one.  Thank you.

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Dena Thompson - February 27, 2011 - 9:37 pm

Just bought the Vivian Roundabout from my TK today and my daughter wore it this afternoon. The button is already a goner…lost somewhere in our afternoon travels. Super glad to have the spare.

Kristi - February 26, 2011 - 11:02 am

Actually, my 10 month old ended up with a button from the Dot and Fiona in her mouth. The still knotted thread pulled right through the fabric. Thankfully, I was holding her at the time and heard it hit the floor. I’m sick just thinking about what would have happened had she been quietly playing in a corner or in her car seat. So scary. I emailed CS to let them know so they could pass along the info however, I haven’t heard anything back.

rorie - February 24, 2011 - 9:34 pm

PS…thanks for caring so much! I adore the dress and am so proud to have it! My rep searched and searched for a Chelsa dress and finally had a dress not picked up!!!! I love it and all is well now :)

Denise - February 24, 2011 - 9:03 pm

Hey Melanie-
Yes, this is the only item. We have received 4-5 of a few other pieces but of the 1000′s we send out it is not enough to cause a concern.

Melanie Ashcraft - February 24, 2011 - 8:10 pm

Have their been any issues with any other pieces or is it just the ones with buttons?

You’re a fabulous company and we would never think you wouldn’t fix something that was wrong. We love you MJC!!

Cariann - February 24, 2011 - 4:23 pm

Though this was not one we ordered, I thank you for striving to correct and unfortunate mistake. Just another reason its great doing business with you and your company!
Hoping no one had any serious problems!

TracyAbigail - February 24, 2011 - 2:48 pm

We had a similar problem with our Sally Lap Dress. The middle button ripped the fabric within a few minutes of wearing. I tried to repair the tear and the buttom myself and the fabric tore again and the button came off. When I took it to a more experienced seamstress they ironed a backing onto the inside and the button has not come off since. We love this dress and wear it frequently and still no problems. Thank you for such a sweet sweet dress!

Lilly Stoker - February 24, 2011 - 2:40 pm

Tia.. While i do see your concern for safety …. i dont think in the history of the world has there been a child seriously injured from buttons off of a dress. The buttons on my chelsa dress fell off as soon i took it out of the bag. Kelsey, although the button on the bag stayed on really well, i made sure to keep the buttons that fell off so that NO ONE would eat them.

kelly g - February 24, 2011 - 2:12 pm

You are all so awesome. Seriously. Love you guys!!

D - February 24, 2011 - 1:34 pm

I agree with going back to the previous quality, as many of our items were “missing some love too.” The line was beautiful, but the quality wasn’t all there.
Thanks for taking care of the problem.

SCT - February 24, 2011 - 12:23 pm

Thank you for making us aware of this concern and offering alternatives. It may be a simple fix for some but not something others feel comfortable doing when their children are at stake.

amy - February 24, 2011 - 10:38 am

Thanks Denise, your company is growing, you can’t possibly be aware of every little button. Thanks for the coming info. I too think we may need some fabric reinforcement on the back. We have little hole where the buttons pulled the fabric before they fell off.

Gidget - February 24, 2011 - 9:52 am

Denise,Hello :) I recently just ordered the Landry Top from a Trunk show with a couple other items. I am concerned now for the top since my 21 month old daughter will be wearing it.
Not upset or anything.
Are we gonna be able to send the top back for fixing or for a refund? I haven’t recieved my landry shirt yet,it I am assuming it is still in order process. Just curious as to what I need to do.
Thanks a bunch for advance help,Gidget

Paci Smuggla - February 24, 2011 - 9:10 am

Thank you! :) I was deeply saddened by all the name calling and comments on FB yesterday. Remember- You don’t anything until you’ve experienced it.:)
My daughter is older so we don’t have an issue with embellishments..we did have many issues when she was little. She chewed everything in sight. While I think the embellishments are super cute and really add an extra to the outfit,(gals…please be kind:))I would not add embellishments to clothing sizes 2 and under. Maybe that clothing could have an extra something else… a matching bib, apron, hat, etc.

KellyBallerina - February 24, 2011 - 8:27 am

Thank you for recalling the dress. What is the best way to reinforce the buttons yourself? Extra stitching or is something else required?

Denise - February 24, 2011 - 8:21 am

Joy, glad to hear that your daughter loves her Chelsa Dress and that you haven’t had issues with the buttons. I would recommend that you take a careful look at them and either reinforce them yourself or send it in to us and let us do it. You will be receiving instructions in an email on Friday on the procedure of sending it in. Thanks :)

Elizabeth Hummel - February 24, 2011 - 8:18 am

I did not get my Chelsa since it was sold out but would happily take one with loose buttons! ;-)

Joy Williams - February 24, 2011 - 7:51 am

Well so far so good for us. My daughter wore hers for the first time yesterday and they look loose, but none have fallen off. I think I will send you a picture of how happy she was to wear it. It is a beautiful dress that accented my daughter’s beauty well. You put a smile on her face and well that is what y’all are after right, smiles and giggles? I am sorry that this has happened, but do appreciate your recall! Hugs from Alabama!
:)

Kristin Donovan - February 24, 2011 - 7:49 am

It’s not your fault. It happens. You are WAY too hard on yourself. “We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies” ~Roderick Thorp, Rainbow Drive

Kaitlyn'sMom - February 24, 2011 - 7:34 am

Please don’t feel sick over this..back in the day, clothing used to come with extra button’s or button in cases like this..and my mom used to sew any missing buttons back on my clothing herself. The fact that you are recalling the dress is going above and beyond in my opinion and for that I even more in awe of you and your company Denise! You have to take the good along with the bad..you have done FAR more good with everything you and your company does, and for that, you have a fan for life! :) Chin up Denise!

brandy brancato - February 24, 2011 - 7:27 am

WOW- truly a great company. I hope the few that ruined my day yesterday on your facebook page read this and realized how much you do care!!! We didn’t get the Chelsa, long story- but lost order and then was sold out when I had to reorder….but I’m still hunting for one and wouldn’t stop :) ))))))) Have a better today ladies!!!!!

Jessica D. - February 24, 2011 - 7:09 am

I LOVE the Chelsa! I’m NOT sending mine back! I can always sew a button back on if it comes off….no big deal! Hope your day is better!

Erin C - February 24, 2011 - 7:07 am

Oh my goodness, what a small thing! I’ll gladly re-stitch our buttons. I told my husband months ago that my dream job is to sew buttons for MJC! Great timing!

Melissa Fogaros - February 24, 2011 - 6:44 am

What if we already fixed it ourselves (I just assumed it was my problem and didn’t want to part with it), but still would like to send it to you to be fixed, professionally? I love your clothes and pass them from one of my daughters to the next, so I don’t want to risk ripping the jersey fabric with my unprofessional and un-seamstress-like fix. ?? Thanks for all you do!

beautifulclothing - February 24, 2011 - 6:37 am

These things happen Denise. You are lucky that you have not had to do that so far. Don’t feel sick over it. IT HAPPENS and it may again.

Laura Byars - February 24, 2011 - 6:27 am

Good for you MJ…for stepping up and doing the right thing. This is a serious issue not to be taken lightly. Thank you.

I also hope that you see it was wrong to block people on facebook yesterday for trying to bring this to your attention. I realize a few people got out of control and said thing that were unacceptable. I was not one of them. I voiced concerns over this and other quality issues respectfully and I am now blocked from commenting on your facebook page.

Carole B - February 24, 2011 - 5:52 am

I will look at it and decide…I like the idea of the reinforcing tape and then resewing and that is probably something I can do myself….Thanks so much for the offer!

Michelle D. - February 24, 2011 - 5:43 am

So sorry about this Denise. BUT…there is a silver lining to your house of clouds…with just a little alteration, you could make those small dresses into Tween size skirts. PLEASE can you make them into tween size skirts and make me #1 on your list for one?!

January Hagan - February 24, 2011 - 5:38 am

Hugs Densie. Dont be upset. We all love you and MJ and are behind you all the way.

Mandy - February 24, 2011 - 4:54 am

The right thing to do is not always the easy thing to do, and I commend you for stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility.

shevaun - February 24, 2011 - 4:36 am

Thank you!

mimi - February 24, 2011 - 4:31 am

Honestly, we love this dress, and I think it would be super cute with or without the buttons, so me may just remove ours, and wear it with a cute necklace:)Love you Denise:)

ash - February 24, 2011 - 4:30 am

thank you for doing this! i love the dress and can’t bear to part with it, but we did lose one button within a few minutes of wear, so i am so glad to hear that you are offering the repair option. it really is a fabulous dress and i can’t wait to not be so nervous about my daughter wearing it and losing one of the adorable buttons and the dress looking sad in the front for ever after! i am sure this is a headache for you all, but thank you for doing the right thing!

Steph S - February 24, 2011 - 2:08 am

Hugs~

Jessica - February 24, 2011 - 12:44 am

Thank you! My buttons came off as I opened the package as well :( fell off before it was ever tried on. This also happened to my Landry top as the buttons seem sewn on in the same manner. I would hope you would not only sew on the buttons but add a reinforcing material on the back behind the buttons, I have never seen such large buttons on such thin fabric without reinforcement. Dont get me wrong I love the dress and buttons so please don’t change them out just fix and reinforce. Can I just put in a small request here for MJ to go back to the previous quality it was with GB, HB and FT!!! Please please! I love HOC but a little love is just missing from a few items. Thank you MJ for making it right, you always do!

Newandlovemj - February 24, 2011 - 12:13 am

Denise, the buttons on Chelsea dress are same as buttons on dot peasant, and same issue. What can I do about that? Do I call customer service?

Lyranel's Mom - February 23, 2011 - 11:41 pm

We got ours from someone else and because I was concerned about the loose buttons and the thin fabric, I did this.
I took all the buttons off put a strip of iron on interfacing on the inside and then put the buttons back on. Worked like a charm for us and made the dress more stable. Not so worried about ripping a hole in the fabric now.

Super great that you are making it right.

Evy mackland - February 23, 2011 - 11:34 pm

It is good that the issue is addressed. The most important thing is that you as a company learn from the mistakes and put correct measures in place to prevent it happening again. Can you tell I work in quality, specifically with ISO standard.

Bottom line is to hold your head up high and move forward.

Rachelle - February 23, 2011 - 11:01 pm

Anyone who admits a mistake and takes responsibility for it earns my respect every time. Another reason why I love MJC ;-)

TKJT - February 23, 2011 - 10:47 pm

Okay someone send in a sz 6 so I can get a replacement for my defective Chelsa (not the buttons). I LOVE this dress and NEED another one. I’ll sew the buttons on myself ;)

Tamara - February 23, 2011 - 10:36 pm

I just wanted to say thank you for doing this! It takes a lot to step up to the plate and it was the right thing to do. This doesn’t effect me personally, as I couldn’t afford to order this season, but I have friends who it does effect.

Jennifer Mezines - February 23, 2011 - 10:12 pm

Wow! Thank you so much for this. We lost two buttons in the first couple of hours of wear. I hadn’t yet decided what to do. I was also worried that the fabric would tear if I tried to sew them on myself. It’s just sitting on top of my dryer with the loose buttons. Can’t wait to get it repaired!

Jaclyn - February 23, 2011 - 10:08 pm

I have a tailor I use, so will just ask her to reinforce them for us should they become loose..won’t be more than $5.00. That sweet little dress is gorgeous! Thank you MJ for being a responsibile company and offering your customers a choice, one of the many reasons we love you!

Denise - February 23, 2011 - 10:01 pm

Christy, great question. In your situation you could contact customer service (260-424-3511) and they will give you instructions on sending it back to have the buttons reinforced (obviously we wouldn’t be able to give you a refund since you didn’t purchase it directly from us).

Debbie Burke - February 23, 2011 - 10:00 pm

I hope you aren’t up all night worrying about this. It takes a lot to stand up and admit a mistake or error. I respect that greatly. Just know that you have a loyal customer base and we will stand by you no matter what. =) Big Hugs Denise!!!

Christy - February 23, 2011 - 9:56 pm

I bought the dress off someone so you won’t have my contact info, but I would love to have it repaired. How do I go about that?

Kelsey B - February 23, 2011 - 9:51 pm

I LOVE that dress!! My buttons seem pretty secure- but I would LOVE to have them reinforced. I wish I knew where to get the exact thread.. This is my fav! Thanks so much for stepping up :]

Denise - February 23, 2011 - 9:49 pm

Kiera’s Mom-
We will be offering a couple different options….refund or repair. Details and proper steps to take will be included in the letter sent to customers who purchased the dress.
One option will be to send it to us and we can properly secure the button or sew lighter weight ones on if you choose. The purple buttons do stand up well if fastened correctly.
The other option will be a refund. But please look for the email on Friday and it will walk you through the process. We are trying to make it as simple as possible for you.

Wendy H. - February 23, 2011 - 9:49 pm

BUT I LOVE THAT DRESS!!!!! (insert crying now!!!!!)

Pamela R. - February 23, 2011 - 9:48 pm

I would rather remove the buttons for safety concerns, then to return such a cute dress. I will be keeing ours, but thanks again for doing the right thing.

Brittany - February 23, 2011 - 9:48 pm

Thank you! I tighted the button’s on our on dress myself,and it seemed to help a little, they are still kinda loose though. I am glad y’all are doing this, LOVE MJC!

Krystal Edwards - February 23, 2011 - 9:45 pm

Thank you for address this, however my TK let me know about the lose buttons and I have secured them myself. I love the dress as I love all the clothes and nothing a needle and thread couldn’t fix:) thanks for always making my little girl and me feel special wearing your beautiful designs!!xoxo

Julie - February 23, 2011 - 9:45 pm

Thank you for being so conscientious. I love this dress and will just reinforce my own buttons! thanks so much for your commitment to your customers. You are the best

Dani - February 23, 2011 - 9:44 pm

Just an idea. . . with all the recalled dresses you receive, you could put together a quilt or something for the auction. Not sure if you have enough time, but it would probably be a very sought after piece!

keira's mom - February 23, 2011 - 9:43 pm

Our buttons are not loose, but I was a little concerned that the weight of the buttons might be a problem and tear the knit fabric on the bodice. I had considered putting something on the inside of the dress to reinforce the fabric and ensure the buttons stay put. Do you have any suggestions for those of us who want to keep our dresses? Maybe I should just replace the buttons with lighter weight ones? Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Thank you!

Denise - February 23, 2011 - 9:42 pm

We will be offering a couple different options….refund or repair. Details and proper steps to take will be included in the letter sent to customers who purchased the dress.

TKJT - February 23, 2011 - 9:41 pm

Yes thank you! We know you would never want to send out a defective item or have a kid hurt. Hopefully everyone will see the FB comments weren’t to be mean to you. :)

Denise - February 23, 2011 - 9:40 pm

Yes, we will fix them and return it to you. You will get an email by Friday with instructions. We are trying to set up refund/ repair to be as as easy as possible for you. We will work out fine details and programming tomorrow and you will receive notice on Friday how to go about the recall.

conniej - February 23, 2011 - 9:39 pm

Does this mean it will be fixed and sent back or refunded? Our top button fell off within a few minutes, but i just saved it to try to sew it back on later. I really love this dress & hope it can just be fixed?

Dena Thompson - February 23, 2011 - 9:38 pm

Thank you for offering this option up. MJ is such an awesome company. The middle button on ours is hanging on by a thread (lovely pink thread, I might add). But, we LOVE this dress. Do you plan to fix and send them back?

boys4girls2 - February 23, 2011 - 9:38 pm

Thank you Denise.

Gina Gilden - February 23, 2011 - 9:35 pm

I love the dress and I would rather not send it back. Everyone needs to just get a neddle and thread and add a few stitches through the buttons!

New2MJ - February 23, 2011 - 9:34 pm

Dear MJ – our Chelsea lost a button when we took it out of the package. I was prepared for the buttons to be a problem after seeing it at my trunk show. We thought about resewing them, replacing them or just leaving them off altogether. Thanks for doing this – you never disappoint me!

Shannon - February 23, 2011 - 9:34 pm

Denise- From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This means more to me than words can say.

Laura Ann - February 23, 2011 - 9:34 pm

Oh Denise, things happen. Great choice on your part to recall and step up to the plate and do the RIGHT thing. We did not purchase this at time of premiere because of the loose buttons that were displayed on my TK’s sample.

Bottom line is, things happen. You can not beat yourself up over it. Things happen and it was not done intentionally. Keep doing what you are doing and let the rest go. So easy for people to focus on the one bad and not the thousand good things you continue to do daily. Afterall, it is a dress…BIG DEAL! We continue to love EVERYTHING about you and your little company.

Love Laura Ann

Brandy W - February 23, 2011 - 9:32 pm

Hugs.

Tonya - February 23, 2011 - 9:31 pm

I have not had any problems but respect your commitment to addressing concerns and making sure your customers are okay :)

Farrar Lindner - February 23, 2011 - 9:31 pm

Thank you for the heads up! It’s nice to know you lovely ladies have such concern and stand behind your products~

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