ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of May 23, 
1996, by and among T-C THREADS, INC. d/b/a THREADS USA, a Tennessee 
corporation ("TUSA"), THREADS OF PUERTO RICO, INC., a North Carolina 
corporation ("TPR"), PRODUCTOS PARA LA INDUSTRIA DE LA MAQUILA, S.A. PRIMA, 
a Honduras corporation ("Prima"), HILOS Y ACCESORIOS, S.A. DE C.V., a 
Mexico corporation ("Hilos") and DIXIE YARNS, INC., a Tennessee corporation 
("Dixie") (TUSA, TPR, Prima and Hilos are sometimes collectively referred 
to herein as "Threads" and TUSA, TPR, Prima, Hilos and Dixie are sometimes 
referred to herein individually as the "Seller" and collectively as the 
"Sellers") and AMERICAN & EFIRD, INC., a North Carolina corporation (the 
"Buyer").

     W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Threads is engaged in the business of manufacturing and 
selling industrial sewing thread and greige yarn and distributing notions 
and other related products and supplies (the "Business"); and

     WHEREAS, certain assets used in connection with the Business are owned 
by Dixie; and

     WHEREAS, the Sellers desire to sell, assign, transfer, convey and 
deliver to the Buyer and the Buyer desires to purchase all of the Sellers' 
right, title and interest in and to certain of the Sellers' assets related 
to the Business, as more particularly set forth herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual 
covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:



1.  PURCHASE OF ASSETS.  At the Closing (as defined in Section 17 herein), 
the Sellers shall bargain, sell, assign, convey and transfer to the Buyer 
and the Buyer shall purchase and acquire from the Sellers (i) all of the 
Sellers' right, title and interest in and to all of the assets of Threads 
owned by Threads on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 17 herein) and 
(ii) those assets of Dixie which are used primarily in connection with the 
Business, other than as to both clause (i) and clause (ii), the Excluded 
Assets (as defined in Section 6 herein).  The assets of the Sellers to be 
purchased hereunder shall include:

(a)  All of the Sellers' right, title and interest in the parcels of land 
described in Schedule 1(a) (the "Land"), together with all of the Sellers' 
right, title and interest in (i) improvements, fixtures, equipment 
(including without limitation all plumbing, electrical, heating and air 
conditioning systems) and each and every type of other physical improvement 
located at, on or affixed to the Land to the full extent such items 
constitute, or are or may be construed as, realty under the laws of the 
jurisdiction in which the land is located (the "Improvements"); (ii) all 
oil, gas, water, and mineral rights; (iii) all easements, rights of way and 
any and all other rights appurtenant thereto; (iv) all transferable 
licenses, permits, appurtenances, drawings, plans, specifications, 
development rights, certificates of occupancy, records and all other items 
used in the ownership and/or operation of the Real Property (as hereinafter 
defined).  The Land and Improvements, and such other rights, easements, 
rights of way and other items as described above are hereinafter 
collectively referred to as the "Real Property";

(b)  All of Sellers' rights, title and interest in and to the real property 
leases which the Buyer has agreed to accept, which leases are set forth in 
Schedule 1(b) (the "Leases").  The parcels of land and all improvements, 
fixtures and attachments thereon under tenancy as set forth in the Leases 
and the Moonachie Sublease (as hereinafter defined) are hereinafter 
referred to as the "Leased Property";

(c)  All of (i) Dixie's tangible assets located on the Real Property, the 
Leased Property and the Irving Property (as hereinafter defined) and (ii) 
all of Threads' tangible assets (excluding as to both clause (i) and clause 
(ii) tangible assets that are Excluded Assets), including but not limited 
to all assets located on the Real Property, the Leased Property and the 
Irving Property (that certain "Dixie Yarns, Inc. Property Listing" dated 
February 16, 1996, marked to reflect the items thereon that were found by 
Buyer during an inventory taken February 26, 1996 through March 31, 1996 is 
attached hereto as Schedule 1(c)) (all such assets are hereinafter 
collectively referred to as the "Fixed Assets");

(d)  All of Threads' owned motor vehicles and trailers listed on Schedule 
1(d) attached hereto (the "Motor Vehicles");

(e)  All of Threads' customer lists, as set forth on the reports listed on  
Schedule 1(e)(i) (the "Customers") attached hereto (which reports contain 
aggregate sales information with respect to each Customer for the periods 
indicated), and all records (including, without limitation, credit files 
and excluding records subject to confidentiality restrictions imposed by 
third parties).  A list of such excluded records relating to customers 
having outstanding balances with Threads of $10,000 or more as of May 13, 
1996 is set forth on Schedule 1(e)(ii) (the "Excluded Customer Reports");

(f)  All of Threads' owned intangible assets, including but not limited to 
(i) the rights to software developed by or for Threads for use on the local 
area network of Threads' Gastonia facilities, including the source code and 
all related documentation, as such rights and software are described in the 
Computer Systems and Administrative Services Agreement (as hereinafter 
defined), (ii) the rights under computer software license agreements 
permitted to be assigned under the terms of such agreements, as such rights 
and software are described in the Computer Systems and Administrative 
Services Agreement, (iii) all agreements not to compete with Threads which 
are transferable by the terms thereof, (iv) all nondisclosure agreements 
with Threads which are transferable by the terms thereof (including without 
limitation those agreements entered into with prospective purchasers of the 
Assets), and (v) any and all claims or causes of action Sellers have or may 
have against any party that has caused any damage or injury to the Real 
Property including, but not limited to, claims or causes of action arising 
out of or resulting from the release, threatened release, discharge, 
disposal, spill, leak or emission of any Hazardous Materials or Other 
Materials (as such terms are hereinafter defined) (the "Intangibles"); 
excluding, however, any and all of Threads' employment agreements and 
agreements pertaining to Threads' employee welfare benefit plans, stock 
option plans or bonus plans or any other similar benefit, bonus or 
compensation plans or similar items;

(g)  Whether or not reflected on the Sellers' books and records (i) all of 
TUSA's rights in the name "Threads USA," which, except as otherwise 
provided herein, TUSA will cease using as of the Closing; all of TUSA's 
rights in the name "T-C Threads, Inc.," all of TPR's rights in the name 
"Threads of Puerto Rico, Inc.," all of Prima's rights in the name 
"Productos Para La Industria de la Maquila, S.A. Prima" and all of Hilos' 
rights in the name "Hilos y Accesorios," all of which names will be changed 
immediately following the Closing in accordance with Section 7 below; and 
all of the Sellers' rights in any corporate names, trademarks, tradenames, 
copyrights, or service marks currently or historically used in connection 
with the Business, all of which are listed on Schedule 1(g)(i) attached 
hereto (the "Trademarks and Tradenames"), and the goodwill of the Business 
in connection therewith (the "Goodwill"), (ii) the going concern value of 
the Business (the "Going Concern Value") and (iii) all of the Sellers' 
rights in the patents, patent registrations and applications, inventions, 
trade secrets, secret processes, formulae, know-how and other proprietary 
data and information, intellectual property and licenses thereof relating 
solely to the Business, all of which are listed on Schedule 1(g)(iii) 
attached hereto (the "Rights");

(h)  All of Threads' business records relating to the Business that the 
Buyer considers useful, including, but not limited to, all personnel files 
with respect to the Employees (as hereinafter defined) employed by the 
Buyer, supplier lists and files, sales listings, advertising and 
promotional materials, files, records and inventory records (the 
"Records"); provided, however, that Threads may retain a copy (or, if 
required, may retain the original and provide a copy to the Buyer) of such 
documents as needed for legal or business purposes;

(i)  All of Threads' rights under all material contracts, personal property 
leases, licenses and other agreements (including without limitation the 
Railroad Agreements (as listed on Schedule 1(i)) pertaining to the Business 
(each of which is to be assumed by the Buyer pursuant to Section 8(a) 
hereof unless excluded pursuant to Section 8(d) hereof), as set forth on 
Schedule 1(i) attached hereto (the "Contracts") to the extent such 
Contracts are assignable by the terms thereof or consent to assignment is 
obtained prior to the Closing;

(j)  All of Threads' unemployment tax reserves held by any applicable state 
and ratings relating to the Business to the extent assignment thereof to 
the Buyer is permitted by applicable law and the Buyer requests that they 
be assigned (the "Tax Reserves");

(k)  All of Threads' federal, state and local licenses required for the 
conduct of the Business (including, but not limited to, environmental 
discharge permits) to the extent assignment thereof to the Buyer is 
permitted by applicable law (the "Licenses");

(l)  All of the Sellers' rights to all of their telephone numbers and 
facsimile numbers, and to the post office boxes set forth on Schedule 1(l) 
attached hereto (the "Telephone Numbers, Etc.");

(m)  All other assets of Threads other than the Excluded Assets, used or 
useful in the Business and whether or not reflected on Sellers' books and 
records;

(n)  Dixie's rights to computer software and under the computer software 
license agreements as such rights and software are described in the 
Computer Systems and Administrative Service Agreement;

(o)  All other assets of Dixie used primarily in connection with the 
Business, which assets are listed on the "Dixie Yarns Property Listing 
Threads USA" attached hereto as Schedule 1(o) (collectively, the "Other 
Dixie Assets"); and

(p)  Contract rights of the Sellers' expressly assumed by the Buyer 
pursuant to Section 8(a).

2.  RAW MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, MACHINERY PARTS AND IN-PROCESS INVENTORIES.

(a)  In addition to the assets to be purchased pursuant to Section 1 above, 
at the Closing Threads shall bargain, sell, assign, convey and transfer to 
the Buyer and the Buyer shall purchase and acquire from Threads all of 
Threads' right, title and interest in and to Threads' raw materials 
(excluding greige yarn), supplies, machinery parts ("Parts") and in-process 
inventories as the same exist as of the Closing Date (the "Raw Materials, 
Supplies, Parts and In-Process Inventories"); provided, however, that the 
Buyer, upon inspection, may, at the Buyer's sole discretion, exclude from 
the items to be purchased pursuant to this Section 2, any and all Raw 
Materials, Supplies, Parts and In-Process Inventories (i) which are 
defective or obsolete, (ii) which are more than three months old (as 
measured from the date of manufacture or purchase by Threads, whichever is 
applicable), (iii) which are not used or useful in the Business or the 
business of Buyer, (iv) which are of unacceptable quality or (v) to the 
extent such items, as of the Closing Date, exist in quantities greater than 
a three months supply (based on the usage of Threads in the ordinary course 
of business during the three full fiscal months prior to the Closing Date).  
Only Parts for machinery that is still being used by Threads in its current 
operations as of the Closing Date shall be included as a Part purchased 
hereunder, and such Parts may not be excluded from purchase hereunder by 
the Buyer on the basis that such Parts are more than three months old or 
that the quantity of such Parts constitutes more than a three month supply.  
The unit prices to be used for each item purchased hereunder (other than 
in-process inventories) will be the lesser of (i) the historical purchase 
price of the same as reflected in the books and records of Threads 
(substantiated by vendor invoices) or (ii) the market value of such items 
as of the Closing Date plus ten percent (10%).  The valuation for in-
process inventories will be determined in accordance with Schedule 2(a) 
("In-Process Inventory Valuation").  A joint physical inventory of the Raw 
Materials, Supplies, Parts and In-Process Inventories shall be conducted by 
the parties prior to the Closing Date at times to be agreed to by the 
parties.

(b)  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Buyer 
in its sole discretion may elect to purchase at any time during the first 
three (3) months following the Closing Date, and Dixie shall be obligated 
to sell following a two-week delivery notice from Buyer up to that number 
of cotton bales set forth on Schedule 2(b) ("Cotton Bales") provided that 
such cotton is necessary to allow Buyer to continue operations without a 
major disruption in terms of supply.  All purchases and sales of cotton 
hereunder shall be at the market price as determined by the average of 
quotes from the vendors set forth on Schedule 2(b) attached hereto as of 
the date of any purchase order submitted by the Buyer to Dixie as its two-
week delivery notice.

3.  NOTIONS.  In addition to the assets to be purchased pursuant to 
Sections 1 and 2 above, at the Closing, Threads shall bargain, sell, 
assign, convey and transfer to the Buyer and the Buyer shall purchase and 
acquire from Threads all of Threads' right, title and interest in and to 
all notions finished goods at the Seller's Kaplan, Illinois facility (the 
"Notions Finished Goods"); provided, however, that the Buyer may, at the 
Buyer's sole discretion, exclude any item (a) that is defective or 
obsolete, (b) that is more than six months old (as measured from the date 
of purchase), (c) that is not in the Buyer's or Threads' line of business, 
(d) that is of uncertain quality or (e) to the extent that such item exists 
in an amount exceeding a six month supply (based on the average of sales by 
TUSA of such item during the six month period immediately preceding the 
Closing Date).  The unit prices to be used for each item purchased 
hereunder shall be the lesser of the actual historical cost (substantiated  
by vendor invoices) or fair market value.  A joint physical inventory of 
the Notions Finished Goods shall be conducted by the parties prior to the 
Closing Date at times to be agreed to by the parties.

  The assets listed in Section 1, Raw Materials, Supplies, Parts, In-
Process Inventories, and Notions Finished Goods are hereinafter 
collectively referred to as the "Assets".

4.  GREIGE YARN; FINISHED GOODS.  On the Closing Date, the Buyer and 
Sellers shall enter into a separate agreement governing the purchase, sale 
or other disposition of greige yarn and finished goods, excluding the 
Notions Finished Goods referred to in Section 3 hereinabove, owned by 
Threads as of the Closing Date, which agreement shall be substantially in 
the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (the "Yarn and Finished Goods 
Agreement").

5.  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.  On the Closing Date, the Buyer and Sellers shall 
enter into a separate agreement governing the rights and responsibilities 
of the parties with respect to the accounts receivable of Threads existing 
as of the Closing Date, which agreement shall be substantially in the form 
of Exhibit B attached hereto (the "Accounts Receivable Agreement").

6.  EXCLUDED ASSETS.  The assets to be purchased and sold hereunder, and 
the term "Assets" as used herein, shall not include the following assets of 
the Sellers (the "Excluded Assets"):

(a)  cash and cash equivalents, wherever located; 

(b)  all tax and general corporate records;  

(c)  accounts receivable; 

(d)  inventory of greige yarn; 

(e)  finished goods thread inventory;

(f)  Employee Benefit Plans (as defined in Section 11(aa)), including any 
accounts, trusts, or other assets held in connection therewith by the 
Sellers; and

(g)  those certain assets of Dixie or Threads set forth in Schedule 6(g) 
(the "Other Excluded Assets") hereto.

7.  ABSENCE OF LIENS; INSTRUMENTS OF CONVEYANCE AND TRANSFER; CHANGE OF 
SELLER'S NAME.  All of the Assets will be conveyed to the Buyer free and 
clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, charges and 
liabilities except (i) for liens of taxes and assessments not yet due and 
payable or for taxes that the taxpayer is contesting in good faith through 
appropriate proceedings; (ii) for unfiled materialmen's, mechanics and 
similar liens incurred in connection with the ordinary course of operating, 
repairing and maintaining the Assets, which do not exceed $5,000 with 
respect to the Real Property or $5,000 with respect to the Fixed Assets and 
the Vehicles; (iii) for such state of facts that are shown by the current 
surveys of the Real Property; (iv) for other defects and encumbrances which 
do not materially affect the usefulness of the Real Property for the 
purposes for which it is presently being utilized, which are listed as 
exceptions in the title insurance policy obtained by the Buyer with respect 
to the Real Property and which are in all respects reasonably acceptable to 
the Buyer ("Permitted Liens"); and (v) Permitted Exceptions (defined 
hereinafter).  On the Closing Date, the Sellers shall deliver to the Buyer 
such certificates, bills of sale, documents of title and other instruments 
of conveyance and transfer, in a form satisfactory to the Buyer, as shall 
be reasonably necessary and effective to vest in the Buyer good and 
marketable title in and to any property sold, transferred, conveyed or 
delivered under this Agreement. 

  TUSA agrees that within five (5) days after the Closing, it will change 
its corporate name to a name approved by the Buyer, it will terminate all 
assumed name or similar certificates for "Threads USA" and except as 
otherwise provided in the Related Documents will cease using "T-C Threads", 
"Threads USA" or any assumed name.  TPR agrees that within five (5) days 
after the closing, it will change its corporate name to a name approved by 
the Buyer and except as otherwise provided in the Related Documents cease 
using all currently used assumed names, corporate name or brand names.  
Prima agrees that immediately after the Closing, it will proceed to change 
its corporate name to a name approved by the Buyer and except as otherwise 
provided in the Related Documents cease using all currently used assumed 
names, corporate name or brand names.  Hilos agrees that immediately after 
the Closing, it will proceed to change its corporate name to a name 
approved by the Buyer and except as otherwise provided in the Related 
Documents cease using all currently used assumed names, corporate name or 
brand names.  The Sellers agree not to use Threads USA in any assumed name, 
corporate name or brand name except as otherwise provided in the Related 
Documents.

8.  ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES. 

(a)  Buyer assumes none of the liabilities of Sellers of any kind 
whatsoever, whether known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, except:

  (i)  liability occurring on or after the Closing Date for those certain 
real estate leases, equipment leases, contracts and other liabilities of 
Threads, as set forth on Schedule 8(a) attached hereto (the "Assumed 
Liabilities");
  
  (ii)  as otherwise provided in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, 
which agreement shall be in substantially the form attached hereto as 
Exhibit C (the "Assignment and Assumption Agreement"); 
  
  (iii)  open sales and supply orders of Threads incurred in the ordinary 
course of business, which provide for the purchase or sale of goods at 
reasonable prices and in reasonable quantities and, except as otherwise set 
forth on Schedule 8(a), which do not impose obligations on the part of the 
Buyer beyond sixty (60) days following the Closing Date; provided, however, 
that if the assumption of any such sales or supply order imposes upon the 
Buyer the obligation to sell goods at a price that is more than ten percent 
(10%) less than the Buyer's average selling price for comparable goods 
during the same period or to purchase goods at a price that is more than 
ten percent (10%) greater than the Buyer's average purchase price for 
comparable goods during the same period, the Sellers, upon presentation by 
the Buyer of reasonable evidence of such occurrence, shall pay to the Buyer 
an amount equal to the sum of (A) the aggregate amount by which such sales 
were more than ten percent (10%) less than such average selling price plus 
(B) the aggregate amount by which purchases were more than ten percent 
(10%) more than such average purchase price; provided further that if the 
goods are greige yarn or finished goods subject to the Yarn and Finished 
Goods Agreement, then instead of the foregoing the Sellers shall pay to the 
Buyer twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount by which such sales were more 
than ten percent (10%) less than such average selling price; and

  (iv)  the obligation to effect any environmental remediation required 
after the Closing with respect to the Real Property, other than with 
respect to the Environmental Remedial Actions listed on Schedule 16(k).

(b)  Sellers shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless with respect to any 
liabilities not assumed by Buyer hereunder subject to the provisions of 
Section 20 hereof.  Buyer agrees that it will fully pay, perform, observe 
the terms, satisfy, and/or discharge each, every, and all liabilities of 
Sellers arising from and after the Closing Date on those specific items it 
assumes under this Section 8.  Buyer will use its best efforts to effect a 
novation of the items listed on Schedule 1(b) and Schedule 8(a) to 
substitute Buyer in place of Sellers as the contracting party.

(c)  The Sellers and the Buyer will pay their own expenses, including legal 
and accounting expenses in connection herewith; provided one-half of the 
fees and expenses of the Collier, Shannon, Rill & Scott law firm related to 
regulatory filings and approvals required in connection with the 
transaction contemplated herein shall be paid by the Buyer and one-half by 
the Sellers.

(d)  By written notice to the Sellers given not less than five (5) days 
prior to the Closing Date (or, with respect to the computer software 
licenses referenced in Schedule 1(i), by written notice given prior to the 
Closing), the Buyer may exclude from the Assets purchased hereunder and the 
liabilities assumed hereunder any of the Contracts listed or referenced on 
Schedule 1(i).

9.  PURCHASE PRICE.

(a)  Amount.  The purchase price to be paid by the Buyer at Closing shall 
be the sum of the following:

  (i)  for the assets set forth in Section 1 herein, Twenty-Three Million 
and 00/100 Dollars ($23,000,000);

  (ii)  for the Raw Materials, Supplies, Parts and In-Process Inventories, 
the aggregate purchase price as determined in accordance with Section 2 
herein, but not to exceed Five Million Three Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand 
and 00/100 Dollars ($5,367,000), of which amount the portion paid for Parts 
shall not exceed Five Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars 
($575,000); and

  (iii)  for the Notions Finished Goods, the aggregate purchase price as 
determined in accordance with Section 3 hereof, but not to exceed Four 
Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($400,000).

  The total of all the purchase prices set forth hereunder shall be 
collectively referred to as the "Purchase Price", and shall be paid by the 
Buyer at Closing as full payment for the Assets. 
 
(b)  Allocation.  The allocation of the Purchase Price shall be established 
by the Buyer and shall be delivered to the Sellers within six (6) months 
following the Closing (the "Purchase Price Allocation").  The Buyer and the 
Sellers agree to use such allocation for all federal income tax purposes, 
including without limitation on Internal Revenue Service Form 8954 (Asset 
Acquisition Statement under Internal Revenue Code Section 1060) which form 
each of the Buyer and the Sellers is required to file in connection with 
the transactions contemplated hereby and which form each of  
the Buyer and the Sellers hereby covenant and agree to timely and properly 
file with its federal income tax return, provided that such allocation is 
in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 338(b)(5). 
  
(c)  Payment of Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price shall be paid by Buyer 
in immediately available funds on the Closing Date as follows: 
  
  (i)  One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) shall be 
delivered by Buyer to a mutually acceptable escrow agent ("Escrow Agent"), 
said sum to be held in an escrow fund ("Escrow Fund") pursuant to the terms 
of an escrow agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto 
("Escrow Agreement").  The Escrow Fund shall serve as the initial source 
for payment of indemnification claims of Buyer as provided in Section 20 
hereof.  All payments or distributions shall be made from the Escrow Fund 
in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.  All income earned on 
the Escrow Fund shall be distributed in accordance with the terms of the 
Escrow Agreement; and

  (ii)  The balance of the Purchase Price shall be transferred to an 
account designated by Sellers pursuant to wire transfer instructions 
provided to Buyer prior to the Closing.

10.  RISK OF LOSS.  Until the Closing, all risk of loss or damage to the 
Assets to be transferred to the Buyer shall be borne by the Sellers.

11.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER.  The Sellers, jointly 
and severally, hereby represent and warrant to the Buyer: 
  
(a)  Each of the Sellers is a corporation duly organized, validly existing 
and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is 
incorporated.  Each of the Sellers is qualified and authorized to do 
business in, and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in,  
each jurisdiction in which such qualification or authorization is necessary 
for the conduct of the business in which each such Seller is now engaged 
and in which the failure to qualify would have a material adverse effect on  
the operations and financial condition of such Seller.  Each of the Sellers 
has legal authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and all other 
agreements contemplated herein, and each has duly authorized the execution, 
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements and 
transactions contemplated herein.

(b)  This Agreement has been validly executed and delivered by each of the 
Sellers and constitutes the valid and binding agreement and obligation of 
each of the Sellers, enforceable in accordance with its terms.  At the 
Closing, the Yarn and Finished Goods Agreement, the Accounts Receivable 
Agreement, the Bill of Sale (as hereinafter defined), the Real Estate 
Instruments (as hereinafter defined), the Escrow Agreement, the 
Noncompetition Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and all other instruments 
or documents delivered in connection herewith or therewith (collectively, 
the "Related Documents") will each have been validly executed and delivered 
by each of the Sellers party thereto and will be the valid and binding 
agreements and obligations of such Sellers, enforceable in accordance with 
their terms except that (i) such enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, 
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or 
hereafter in effect relating to creditor's rights, and (ii) the remedy of 
specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may 
be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before 
which any proceedings therefor may be brought forth.

(c)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related 
Documents, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and 
thereby and the fulfillment and compliance with the terms and provisions 
hereof and thereof by the Sellers do not and will not violate, conflict 
with or constitute a breach of or default under or require any consent 
pursuant to any law or regulation presently applicable to the Sellers, 
their respective articles of incorporation or bylaws or any order of any 
court, regulatory body or arbitral tribunal or any agreement or instrument 
to which any of the Sellers is a party or by which they or any of their 
property is bound.

(d)  Each of the Sellers has good marketable title to all the Assets, free 
and clear of all claims, charges, liens, security interests, conditional 
sales agreements or other encumbrances other than Permitted Exceptions.  
The Sellers have provided the Buyer with the reports identified on Schedule 
11(d)(i) ("1995 Property Adjustment Reports"), which reports together 
constitute a true and correct list of all additions, deletions, transfers 
and modifications that have been made during the period January 1, 1995 
through December 30, 1995.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 11(d)(ii) 
("1996 Property Adjustment Reports"), no Fixed Assets have been deleted, 
sold or transferred during the period from December 30, 1995 through the 
date hereof.  The Assets are currently in the possession of the Sellers 
and, to the extent listed on Schedule 1(c) or Schedule 11(d)(ii), are 
located at the Sellers' facilities as set forth on such schedules. 

(e)  None of the Sellers is in default of the terms of any contract for the 
delivery of any merchandise and, except as set forth on Schedule 11(e) 
("Customer and Supplier Relationships"), none of the Sellers has knowledge 
(i) that any Customer intends to terminate its current business 
relationship with any of the Sellers or would terminate such relationship 
upon the sale of the Assets of the Sellers described herein or (ii) that 
any of Threads' 100 largest Customers has any material dispute with 
Threads.  Sellers have not entered into any contract relating to the Assets 
or their Customers other than contracts in the normal course of business.  
Each of the Sellers' relationships with its suppliers is reasonably 
satisfactory and, except as set forth on Schedule 11(e), none of the 
Sellers has knowledge that any supplier would refuse to do business with 
the Buyer.

(f)  Except as set forth on Schedule 11(f) hereto ("Special Arrangements"), 
none of the Sellers (other than Dixie) has any volume incentive programs, 
rebate programs or consignment or special return arrangements with any 
Customer.

(g)  Attached as Schedule 11(g) hereto (the "Sales Information") is a list 
of the total sales volume of each product sold by Threads during the fiscal 
year ended December 31, 1995.

(h)  Each of the Sellers is solvent and has paid and intends to pay its 
creditors in the ordinary and normal course. 
  
(i)  To Sellers' knowledge, all of the Fixed Assets have been maintained 
according to Threads' normal business practices and no material adverse 
change to the Fixed Assets has occurred since February 26, 1996.

(j)  Except as set forth on Schedule 11(j) ("Out of the Ordinary Course 
Transactions"), Threads has conducted its business in the ordinary and 
normal course since December 30, 1995. 
  
(k)  Attached as Schedule 11(k) ("Customer Complaints Summary") is a 
summary of Threads' compilation of Customer complaints listed according to 
type of complaint (which complaints have been deemed valid by Threads) made 
by Customers during the fiscal year ended December 30, 1995. 

(l)  Attached as Schedule 11(l) ("Blanket/Future Purchase Orders") is, to 
the Sellers' knowledge, a complete list of all blanket and future purchase 
orders from customers effective as of May 21, 1996. 

(m)  Except as set forth on Schedule 11(m) attached hereto ("Pending 
Lawsuits"), (i) there is no action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity 
or by or before any governmental instrumentality, agency or arbitral body 
now pending or, to the knowledge of any of the Sellers, threatened against 
or affecting Threads or any of the Assets and (ii) the Sellers do not know 
of any fact that could form the basis of a product liability, tort or other 
claim against or affecting Threads or any of the Assets in an amount in 
excess of $15,000 for any single claim. 
  
(n)  Except as indicated on Schedule 11(n) attached hereto ("Required 
Consents"), to the best of the Sellers' knowledge, no approval, consent or 
authorization of or registration, declaration or filing with any 
governmental body or agency which has not already been obtained is required 
in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Sellers of 
this Agreement or the Related Documents. 
  
(o)  None of the employees of Threads is employed under a contract which is 
not terminable at will.  Threads has not entered into any agreement of any 
kind with any local, national or international labor union, nor to the best 
of Threads' knowledge is any election with respect thereto pending or 
threatened.  Except as set forth in Schedule 11(o) ("Employment 
Discrimination and Other Claims"), Threads is not a party to any employment 
discrimination or other labor related charge, claim, investigation, 
agreement or proceeding nor is any such action pending or threatened.  All 
obligations, responsibilities, liabilities for unpaid wages, payroll 
expenses, benefits, severance, employment taxes or any other employment 
related obligations to both Employees (as hereinafter defined) or taxing 
authorities incurred prior to the Closing are the sole responsibility and 
obligation of Threads. 
  
(p)  Each of the exhibits and schedules attached hereto is incorporated 
herein by reference and is true, correct and complete in all material 
respects with respect to each item thereof. 
  
(q)  Except as set forth on Schedule 11(q) ("Customer and Supplier 
Contracts"), Threads has no contract with any Customer or supplier (except 
for purchase orders received or issued in the ordinary course of business) 
and is not subject to any license or franchise agreement with any customer 
or supplier.  No consent of any supplier is required in order for the Buyer 
to distribute such supplier's merchandise to the Customers. 
  
(r)  None of the Sellers is in default nor has any Seller received any 
notice of default under any of the Contracts.  Except as noted on Schedule 
11(r) ("Assignable upon Consent Contracts"), all Contracts are assignable 
to the Buyer without the consent of the third party. 
  
(s)  Except as identified in the inventory reports to be provided to the 
Buyer in connection with the physical inventories described in Sections 2 
and 3 hereof, all Raw Materials, Supplies, Parts and In-Process Inventories 
and all Notions Finished Goods are unused and undamaged.  To the extent 
that such inventory reports state the number and type of items reported to 
be in a container, such information shall be accurate. 
  
(t)  Schedule 11(t) (the "Consigned Stock Locations") contains a list of 
all consigned stock locations at which consigned inventory of the Sellers 
is located as of the Closing Date.
  
(u)  To the Sellers' knowledge, Threads has available to it on the Real 
Property, Leased Property, and Irving Property (as hereinafter defined) 
sufficient power, fuel oil, natural gas and water supplies and adequate 
sewage and waste disposal systems for the operation of the Business as 
presently conducted, and, to the best of Threads' knowledge, all such 
supplies and systems will be available after the Closing. 
  
(v)  Except as set forth on Schedule 11(v) ("Real Property Compliance and 
Repairs"), to Sellers' knowledge, the Real Property, the Leased Property 
and the Irving Property comply in all material respects with all applicable 
restrictions, building ordinances and zoning ordinances and all regulations 
of the applicable health and fire departments, and no material alteration, 
repair, improvement or other work has been performed in respect of such 
Improvements within the last 120 days.  The Real Property, Leased Property 
and Irving Property and Threads' continued use, occupancy and operation of 
the Real Property, Leased Property and Irving Property as currently used, 
occupied and operated is not prohibited under any law, code, ordinance, 
rule, regulation or order affecting such Real Property, Leased Property and 
Irving Property, and, to Sellers' knowledge, except for certain 
infringements on railroad easements, rights of way or real property, the 
continued existence, use, occupancy and operation on the Real Property, 
Leased Property and Irving Property, and the right and ability to repair 
and/or rebuild improvements on the Real Property, Leased Property and 
Irving Property in the event of casualty, is not dependent on any special 
permit, exception, approval or variance.  Each Improvement on the Real 
Property, Leased Property and Irving Property has direct access, adequate 
for the operation of the business of Threads in the ordinary course, to a 
public street adjoining such Real Property, Leased Property and Irving 
Property on which such improvement is situated, and, except as shown on 
surveys prepared in connection with the transactions contemplated by this 
Agreement, no existing way of access to any improvement crosses or 
encroaches upon any property or property interest not leased or owned by 
Threads.  There is no condemnation proceeding pending or, to the best of 
the Sellers' knowledge, threatened with respect to any parcel of the Real 
Property, Leased Property or Irving Property. 
  
(w)  (i)  Except as set forth in those reports identified on Schedule 
11(w)(i) ("Environmental Reports"), Sellers have no knowledge of any 
release, threatened release, application, spill, leak, discharge or 
emission of any Hazardous Material or Other Material (as such terms are 
hereinafter defined) to the air, surface water, groundwater or soil of the 
Real Property, Leased Property and Irving Property which must be reported 
to any governmental agency pursuant to, or which is a violation of, any of 
the Environmental Laws or Health and Safety Laws (as such terms are 
hereinafter defined). 
 
  (ii)  Except as set forth in those reports identified on Schedule 
11(w)(i) and Schedule 11(w)(ii) ("Environmental Exceptions"), Sellers, to 
their knowledge, have duly complied in all material respects with, and the 
Real Property, Leased Property and Irving Property are in compliance with, 
the Environmental Laws and Health and Safety Laws.
 
  (iii)  Except for the reports identified on Schedule 11(w)(i), Sellers 
have no other documents or information relating to or disclosing any 
release, threatened release, application, spill, leak, discharge or 
emission of any Hazardous Material or Other Material to the air, surface 
water, groundwater or soil of the Real Property, Leased Property or Irving 
Property, or relating to the material violation of any Environmental Law or 
any Health and Safety Law at the Real Property, Leased Property or Irving 
Property. 
 
  (iv)  Sellers have provided the Buyer with true, accurate and complete 
information, to the extent of Sellers' knowledge and to the extent that 
such information is material, pertaining to the environmental history of 
the Real Property, Leased Property and Irving Property. 
 
  (v)  Sellers, to their knowledge, have been issued or have applied for 
all permits, licenses, certificates and approvals required by the 
Environmental Laws and Health and Safety Laws for the operation of the 
Business (the "Permits"), a complete list of which is set forth on Schedule 
11(w)(v).  To the extent permissible, Sellers shall maintain such Permits, 
even after the Closing, until Buyer can secure similar Permits in its name, 
provided that the Buyer acts with diligence to secure such Permits 
promptly. 
 
  (vi)  Except as set forth in those reports identified on Schedule 
11(w)(i), Sellers have received no notice of, and do not know of or 
suspect, any facts which, as of the Closing, would constitute a violation 
of the Environmental Laws or any material violation of Health and Safety 
Laws with respect to the Real Property, Leased Property or Irving Property. 
 
  (vii)  Except as disclosed in Schedule 11(w)(vii) (the "Environmental 
Complaints"), Sellers have no knowledge of any complaint, order, directive, 
claim, citation, notice, information request or investigation by any 
governmental authority or any other person or entity with respect to (i) 
any release, threatened release, application, spill, leak, discharge or 
emission of any Hazardous Material or Other Material to the air, surface 
water, groundwater or soil of the Real Property, Leased Property and Irving 
Property, or (ii) any violation or alleged violation of any Environmental 
Laws or Health and Safety Laws at the Real Property, Leased Property or 
Irving Property. 

  (viii)  To Sellers' knowledge, there has never been a 3,000 gallon 
underground storage tank as identified on a site map as being located near 
the concrete ramp at Seller's Synthetics Plant. 

  (ix)  Except as set forth in those reports identified on Schedule 
11(w)(i), to Sellers' knowledge, non-hazardous solid waste materials have 
not been disposed of or buried at the Real Property, Leased Property or 
Irving Property. 

  For the purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall 
apply: 

  "Hazardous Materials" means and includes any hazardous or toxic substance 
or waste or any contaminant or pollutant, including, but not limited to, 
"hazardous substances" as defined by the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response Compensation and Liability Act, as amended ("CERCLA"), a 
"hazardous waste" as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 
("RCRA"), as amended, PCBs, petroleum products, solvents, waste oil and 
grease. 
 
  "Other Materials" means asbestos-containing materials and lead-based 
paint. 
 
  "Environmental Laws" means and includes all applicable federal, state and 
local statutes, regulations, ordinances, rules, and orders which pertain to 
(i) the protection of the environment; (ii) the release, threatened 
release, spill, leak, discharge or emission of any Hazardous Material to 
the air, surface water, groundwater or soil; (iii) the storage, treatment, 
disposal or handling of any Hazardous Materials or (iv) the construction, 
operation, maintenance, repair or closing of aboveground or underground 
storage tanks or impoundments containing or which previously contained 
Hazardous Materials. 
 
  "Health and Safety Laws" means and includes all applicable federal, state 
and local statutes, regulations, ordinances, rules and orders which pertain 
to the protection of human health or safety, including but not limited to, 
the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as amended ("OSHA"), its 
implementing regulations, and any similar state laws and regulations. 
 
(x)  The Leases, as set forth in Schedule 1(b), are valid, in full force 
and effect and enforceable.  The copies of the Leases delivered to the 
Buyer by the Sellers constitute all of the lease agreements affecting the 
Leased Property and are true, correct and complete in all respects.  None 
of the Sellers is in default under the Leases, nor have they received any 
notice of default under the Leases, nor has any event occurred in which the 
passage of time would result in an event of default by the Sellers under 
the Leases.  The Leases are assignable to Buyer and shall be assigned to 
the Buyer by the Sellers as of the Closing Date. 
  
(y)  Attached as Schedule 11(y) ("Quality Standards") is a summary of the 
Sellers' quality standards. 
  
(z)  Attached as Schedule 11(z) ("Summary of Insurance Policies") is a 
summary of Sellers' insurance policies covering the Fixed Assets, Real 
Property, Leased Property and Irving Property and the Motor Vehicles.  All 
policies are occurrence policies.  Sellers currently maintain commercial 
general liability and product liability coverage for the Business. 
  
(aa)  Except as set forth in Schedule 11(aa)(i) ("Pension Plans"), Sellers 
do not maintain, are not required to contribute to, have not maintained nor 
been required to contribute to within the past five years, any employee 
pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") or any multi-
employer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA which provides 
or is designed to provide benefits for employees or former employees of 
Threads (or certain employees of Dixie identified by name in Schedule 
11(aa)(iii) ("Selected Dixie Employees")) or their dependents or 
beneficiaries.  As of the Closing Date, except as set forth in Schedule 
11(aa)(ii) ("Welfare Plans"), Sellers do not maintain, and have not 
maintained nor been required to contribute to within the past five years, 
any employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) of 
ERISA for which an employer is required to file an Annual Report (Form 
5500) or if such plan had more then 100 participants would have been 
required to file an Annual Report (Form 5500) for such plan and which 
provides or is designed to provide benefits for employees or former 
employees of Threads (or the Selected Dixie Employees) or their dependents 
or beneficiaries.  To the best of Seller's knowledge, as of the Closing 
Date, each of the employee benefit plans set forth in Schedule 11(aa)(i) 
and (ii) (collectively, the "Employee Benefit Plans") is in material 
compliance with, and has been administered in material compliance with, the 
provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 
"Code").  In connection with each Employee Benefit Plan: 
  
  (i)  Sellers have provided to the Buyer true, complete and correct copies 
of (A) each Employee Benefit Plan (or, in the case of any unwritten 
Employee Benefit Plan, a description thereof), (B) each trust agreement and 
group annuity contract, if any, relating to any Employee Benefit Plan, (C) 
the most recent Annual Report (Form 5500) filed for each Employee Benefit 
Plan for which such a filing is required, and there has been no material 
change or amendment to any of such documents or filings relating to the 
Employee Benefit Plans as of the Closing Date. 
  
  (ii)  Each Employee Benefit Plan intended to be a qualified plan under 
Section 401(a) of the Code has received or applied for a favorable 
determination letter to that effect within the last two years, and nothing 
has occurred since the issuance of, or application for, such letter that 
would adversely affect the tax qualification of any such Employee Benefit 
Plan. 
  
  (iii)  There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened 
claims (other than routine claims for benefits) against any of the Employee 
Benefit Plans or otherwise involving any such Employee Benefit Plan. 
  
  (iv)  None of the Employee Benefit Plans or any trust established 
thereunder has incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in 
Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, 
as of the last day of the most recent fiscal year of each of the Employee 
Benefit Plans.  No contribution failure has occurred with respect to any 
Employee Benefit Plan sufficient to give rise to a lien under Section 
302(f) of ERISA.  All material contributions, premiums or other payments 
due with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan for any period ending on or 
before the Closing Date which are not yet due will have been paid or 
accrued on or prior to the Closing Date. 
  
  (v)  Sellers have not engaged in a transaction in connection with which 
Threads could be subject to either a liability or civil penalty assessed 
pursuant to Sections 409, 502(i) or 502(1) of ERISA (as defined herein) or 
a tax imposed pursuant to Sections 4971, 4972, 4974, 4975 or 4976 of the 
Code. 
  
  (vi)  Neither the Sellers, nor any member of a controlled group with the 
Sellers under Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or Section 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) 
of the Code or any organization to which any of the Sellers is a successor 
or parent corporation within the meaning of Section 4069(b) of ERISA, has 
engaged in any transaction, within the meaning of Section 4069 of ERISA. 
  
  (vii)  Except as described in Schedule 11(aa)(vii) ("Reportable Events"), 
within the past five years there has been no partial or complete 
termination or "reportable event" (as such term is defined in Section 4043 
of ERISA) with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan that is an employee 
pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA which 
would require the giving of notice or any event requiring disclosure under 
Section 4041(c)(3)(C) or 4063(a) of ERISA. 
  
  (viii)  Each Employee Benefit Plan that is a group health plan, as such 
term is defined in Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code, complies in all material 
respects with the applicable requirements of Section 4980B(f) of the Code.  
Except as described in Schedule 11(aa)(viii) ("Post-Retirement Life or 
Health Benefits"), none of the Employee Benefit Plans which are employee 
welfare benefit plans within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA provide 
post-retirement life or health insurance benefits or coverage for any 
participant or any beneficiary of a participant. 
  
  (ix)  Except as described in Schedule 11(aa)(ix) ("Acceleration") neither 
the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the 
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will (a) result in any payment 
becoming due to any person by reason of such person's employment by any of 
the Sellers, (b) increase any benefit otherwise payable under any Employee 
Benefit Plan, or (c) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or 
vesting of any such benefits. 
  
  (x)  None of the Sellers has any contract, plan or commitment, whether 
legally binding or not, to create any additional employee benefit plan to 
provide or designed to provide benefits for employees of Threads (or the 
Selected Dixie Employees) or their dependents or beneficiaries or to modify 
any existing Employee Benefit Plan except with respect to changes required 
by ERISA, the Code or other applicable law. 
  
  (xi)  Schedule 11(aa)(xi)(A) ("Eligible Employees-Defined Benefit") sets 
forth a complete and correct list of employees of Threads (including the 
Selected Dixie Employees) who as of or immediately following the Closing 
Date will be entitled under the terms of the plan to receive a benefit from 
the Dixie Yarns, Inc. Defined Benefit Plan, the aggregate lump sum value of 
such individuals' benefits and the assumptions upon which such value is 
based; Schedule 11(aa)(xi)(B) ("Eligible Employees-Nonqualified 
Contribution") sets forth a complete and correct list of employees of 
Threads (including the Selected Dixie Employees) who as of or immediately 
following the Closing Date will be entitled under the terms of the plan to 
receive a benefit from the Dixie Yarns, Inc. Nonqualified Defined 
Contribution Plan and the aggregate lump sum value of such individuals' 
benefits; and Schedule 11(aa)(xi)(C) ("Eligible Employees-Nonqualified 
Savings") sets forth a complete and correct list of employees of Threads 
(including the Selected Dixie Employees) who as of or immediately following 
the Closing Date will be entitled under the terms of the plan to receive a 
benefit from the Dixie Yarns, Inc. Nonqualified Employee Savings Plan and 
the aggregate lump sum value of such individuals' benefits. 
 
(bb)  Except as set forth on Schedule 11(bb) (the "Nontransferable 
Permits"), to Sellers' knowledge, all licenses and permits held by the 
Sellers and used in connection with the Business are transferable to the 
Buyer. 
 
12.  REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER.  The Buyer hereby 
represents and warrants to the Sellers:
  
(a)  The Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in 
good standing under the laws of the State of North Carolina, has legal 
authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and the Related 
Documents and has duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance 
of this Agreement and the Related Documents. 
  
(b)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related 
Documents, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and 
thereby, and the fulfillment and compliance with the terms and conditions 
hereof and thereof, do not and will not violate, conflict with or 
constitute a breach of or default under or require any consent pursuant to 
any law or regulation presently applicable to the Buyer, its articles of 
incorporation or bylaws or any order of any court, regulatory body or 
arbitral tribunal or any agreement or instrument to which the Buyer or any 
of its affiliates is a party or by which any of such entities or any of its 
property is bound. 
  
(c)  There has not been incurred any obligation on behalf of the Buyer to 
pay any commission, finders' fee or similar charge in connection with this 
transaction and the Buyer shall indemnify the Sellers with respect to any 
claim by any person or entity claiming such fee. 
  
(d)  This Agreement and the Related Documents, upon execution and delivery 
thereof by the respective parties, will be the legal, valid and binding 
agreements of the Buyer enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with 
their respective terms except that (i) such enforcement may be subject to 
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws 
now or hereafter in effect relating to creditor's rights, and (ii) the 
remedy of specific performance in injunction and other forms of equitable 
relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the 
court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought forth. 
  
13.  NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT.  At the Closing, the Sellers shall enter 
into a noncompetition agreement with the Buyer (the "Noncompetition 
Agreement") substantially in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto. 
  
14.  COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT.  At the 
Closing, the Sellers shall enter into an agreement providing for post-
Closing computer systems and administrative services to the Buyer (the 
"Computer Systems and Administrative Services Agreement") substantially in 
the form of Exhibit F attached hereto. 
  
15.  REAL PROPERTY. 
  
(a)  Delivery of Preliminary Information.  The Sellers have delivered to 
Buyer copies of the items described in clause (i), (ii) and (iii) directly 
relating to the Real Property and the items described in clause (iii) with 
respect to the Leased Property and the Irving Property (the "Preliminary 
Information") that are in Sellers' possession or control: 
  
  (i)  Surveys.  To the extent the same is presently in the Sellers' 
possession, the most recently dated surveys for each parcel of the Real 
Property; 
  
  (ii)  Title Policies.  The most recently issued title insurance policies 
presently in the Sellers' possession with respect to the title for each 
parcel of the Real Property as set forth in Schedule 1(a); and 
 
  (iii)  Environmental Reports.  All environmental studies, environmental 
reports, reports  
of remediation work or repairs relating to the handling and disposal of 
waste or any other records, reports or memoranda relating to environmental 
issues with regard to the Real Property, and a list of all contractors and 
agents used by the Seller with regard to the same. 
 
(b)  Title Search; Survey.  The Buyer shall (i) conduct a title search of 
the property (the "Initial Title Search") and obtain a commitment or binder 
for issuance of a title insurance policy issued by the title insurance 
insurer for each parcel of the Real Property; (ii) cause a local licensed 
surveyor to prepare an accurate and adequate survey of each parcel of the 
Real Property; and (iii) provide to the Sellers within five (5) days 
thereafter a copy of the survey and title commitment or binder letter 
setting forth all of the Buyer's objections to the Sellers' title to each 
parcel of the Real Property other than general utility easements, rights of 
way abutting each parcel of the Real Property, unviolated restrictive 
covenants that do not materially affect the value of any parcel of the real 
property; and applicable zoning and building laws or ordinances provided 
they do not prohibit the use of each parcel of the Real Property and 
Improvements thereon for the Buyer's intended use and so long as each 
parcel of the Real Property is in compliance with the same.  After the 
receipt of such letter, the Seller shall have until the Closing Date to 
correct or make arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer to 
correct such defects in title objected to by the Buyer; provided, however, 
that the Sellers shall have no obligation to correct defects in title 
relating to the encroachment of Improvements onto any easement, right of 
way or real property of Norfolk Southern Railway, except to take reasonable 
steps to assist Buyer in procuring the licenses described in Section 
18(a)(xx).  If the Sellers are unwilling or unable to correct or make 
arrangements for such defects on or before the Closing Date, the Buyer will 
have the option to waive such defects or terminate this Agreement without 
further liability of the Sellers to the Buyer.  Title exceptions not 
specifically objected to by the Buyer and all acceptable exceptions as set 
forth above shall be deemed and referred to as "Permitted Exceptions"; 
provided, however, the Buyer may object to such exceptions to title, other 
than the Permitted Exceptions, as are discovered after the initial title 
search but prior to Closing. 
  
(c)  Closing.  At the Closing, the Sellers shall deliver or cause to be 
delivered to the Buyer the following items (all documents will be duly 
executed and acknowledged as required) (collectively, "Real Estate 
Instruments"): 
  
  (i)  Warranty Deed.  A general warranty deed for each parcel of the Real 
Property executed by the appropriate Seller conveying to the Buyer good and 
marketable fee simple title to each parcel of the Real Property, free and 
clear of all liens, restrictions and encumbrances except and subject only 
to the Permitted Exceptions. 
  
  (ii)  Owner's Affidavit.  An affidavit in the form acceptable to the 
title insurer certifying that each parcel of the Real Property is free from 
claims for mechanics', materialmen's and laborers' liens. 
  
  (iii)  Non-Foreign Affidavit.  An affidavit, in the form and substance 
satisfactory to the Buyer, stating the Seller's U.S. Taxpayer's 
Identification Number, that the Seller and all persons holding beneficial 
interest in the Real Property are "United States Persons" as defined by 
Section 1445(f)(3) and Section 7701(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986, as amended. 
  
  (iv)  Closing Affidavit.  An affidavit, in form acceptable to the Buyer, 
stating that there are no other parties entitled to possession of any 
parcel of the Real Property other than the Buyer as of the Closing Date. 
  
  (v)  Other Documents.  Any and all documents and papers solely in 
conformity with the terms of this Agreement which may be reasonably 
necessary in connection with the consummation of the transaction 
contemplated by this Agreement, including evidence of authority to execute 
each deed. 
  
(d)  Closing Costs For Real Property.  The Sellers shall pay for up to 
$25,000 of the amount of all state, county, city or other transfer taxes 
and for the cost of preparation of each deed for each parcel of the Real 
Property.  The Buyer shall pay the premiums for the issuance of the owner's 
title insurance policies, the cost of recording each deed for each parcel 
of the Real Property and any other instruments under the terms of this 
Agreement with respect to the Real Property and all costs to obtain the 
surveys of each parcel of the Real Property. 
  
(e)  Adjustments and Prorations.  General real estate taxes for the 
calendar year in which the Closing takes place shall be prorated through 
the Closing Date on a calendar year basis and the Buyer shall receive a 
credit against the Purchase Price for all unpaid real estate taxes up to 
and including the Closing Date.  If the tax amount has not been determined 
as of the Closing Date, taxes shall be prorated using the tax amount for 
the prior year and the Sellers and the Buyer agree, from and after the 
Closing Date and upon written demand of either party, to promptly remit to 
the other party such additional amounts as are necessary to discharge its 
pro rata share of such taxes when the tax rate for the calendar year in 
which the Closing occurs has been determined.  This obligation to adjust 
the taxes shall survive the Closing.  All utility charges and operating 
expenses of the Real Property shall be prorated based on the number of 
calendar days in the relevant billing periods before and after the Closing 
Date. 

  (ii)  Damage, Destruction and Condemnation.  If any of the Improvements 
located on any parcel of the Real Property are damaged by fire or other 
casualty before the Closing Date to such extent that the damages result in 
a reduction in production capacity of more than thirty percent (30%) at the 
Synthetics Plant or of more than ten percent (10%) at any of the Sellers' 
manufacturing facilities other than the Synthetics Plant, then, unless such 
damage is repaired by Sellers within a five (5) day period, the Buyer shall 
have the right to terminate this Agreement by delivering written notice to 
the Seller of such desire to terminate within five (5) days following the 
determination of the production capacity reduction.  Should the Buyer not 
elect to terminate this Agreement within said five (5) day period, Sellers 
shall either repair the damage prior to the Closing or reduce the Purchase 
Price by an amount equal to the estimated cost of repairs as determined by 
a mutually acceptable appraiser.  The Sellers will maintain all insurance 
coverage currently existing and covering the Real Property in full force 
and effect through the Closing. 

  (iii)  If the damage results in less than a thirty percent (30%) 
reduction in production capacity at the Synthetics Plant or in less than a 
ten percent (10%) reduction in production capacity at any of Sellers' other 
manufacturing facilities, then the Sellers shall either repair the damage 
prior to the Closing or reduce the Purchase Price by an amount equal to the 
estimated cost of repairs as determined by a mutually acceptable appraiser. 
  
  (iv)  If Sellers elect to reduce the Purchase Price by the amount of the 
estimated cost of repairs, then sixty (60) days following the completion of 
the repairs, the Sellers shall pay to the Buyer the amount by which the 
actual cost of repairs exceeded the estimated cost of repairs or, if 
applicable, the Buyer shall pay to the Sellers the amount by which the 
actual cost of repairs was less than the estimated cost of repairs. 
  
  (v)  If after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, the Sellers 
receive official government notice of the commencement or impending 
commencement of eminent domain or other like proceedings against the Real 
Property or any portion thereof which is likely to result in a taking of 
Real Property in excess of $100,000 in value, the Sellers shall notify the 
Buyer.  In such event, the Buyer shall, within five (5) days of the receipt 
of such notice from the Sellers, have the option to (i) terminate this 
Agreement or (ii) close this transaction contemplated hereby in accordance 
with its terms but subject to such proceedings, in which event the Purchase 
Price shall not be reduced, and the Sellers shall assign to the Buyer, the 
Sellers' rights in any condemnation award or proceeds. 
  
16.  ACTIVITIES AND CONDUCT PENDING CLOSING.  The Sellers covenant and 
agree, between the date hereof and the Closing Date, that Sellers shall use 
their best efforts to cause each of the Sellers to conduct its business as 
follows: 
  
(a)  Going Business.  The business of each of the Sellers will be conducted 
diligently and only in the ordinary course as a going business and 
consistent with past practices.  Each of the Sellers will exercise its best 
efforts to preserve for the Buyer the contractual and other relationships 
and goodwill with all suppliers and Customers. 
  
(b)  Mechanics' Liens.  Each of the Sellers will pay all claims for labor, 
materials, supplies or other property which, if unpaid, might by law become 
a lien or charge upon the Assets, before the same shall become delinquent. 
  
(c)  Access by the Buyer.  At all such times as will not cause unreasonable 
interference with the business of a Seller, the Buyer and its authorized 
agents and representatives, including its legal counsel, accountants, 
auditors and engineers, shall have full and complete access to all of the 
Assets of each Seller and may make such examination and take such excerpts 
therefrom as they may deem necessary or desirable.  The Sellers will 
furnish to the Buyer (certified as to authentication by the Sellers, if 
reasonably requested by the Buyer) such documents, records, contracts and 
commitments related to the Assets and the Business as the Buyer from time 
to time may reasonably request.  With the prior approval of the Sellers in 
each instance, the Buyer shall have the right to communicate with any past 
or present client, employee, debtor, supplier, creditor or other contractor 
of the Sellers and any other party who has conducted or is conducting or is 
believed to be conducting business with the Sellers or on its behalf, in 
order to verify any facts or circumstances which may be reasonably deemed 
material by the Buyer in connection with this Agreement or the consummation 
of the transactions contemplated hereby. 
  
(d)  Liens and Encumbrances.  None of the Sellers will create or assume any 
mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or charge of any kind (including 
vendor's rights under conditional sales agreements or other title retention 
agreements) upon the Assets or the Real Property, whether owned or 
hereafter acquired, except such mortgages, liens, pledges, encumbrances or 
charges, if any, as are consented to in writing by the Buyer in advance. 
  
(e)  Insurance.  The Sellers shall maintain their existing insurance 
policies in full force and effect. 
  
(f)  No Other Negotiations.  None of the Sellers, or any shareholders, 
officers, directors or agents of the Sellers shall enter into any 
negotiations with any other party for the sale or other disposition of the 
Assets, the Greige Yarn and Finished Goods or the Accounts Receivable other 
than in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise contemplated herein 
unless this Agreement is terminated.
  
(g)  Announcements.  The Sellers will take all steps reasonably requested 
by the Buyer to announce the transaction described herein, to facilitate 
the transfer of the Assets and to promote the advantages of this 
transaction to Threads' employees, Selected Dixie Employees and Customers.  
As a part of such process, (i) the Seller will cooperate with the Buyer in 
the preparation of customer letters, press releases and other announcements 
of such transaction and (ii) the parties will keep the Purchase Price and 
terms of the transaction confidential, to the extent possible considering 
their business needs and legal requirements.  All public announcements or 
press releases by the parties concerning this transaction must be discussed 
by the parties prior to release. 
  
(h)  Governmental Approvals.  The Sellers shall assist and cooperate in all 
endeavors to obtain any necessary governmental approvals. 
  
(i)  Real Property and Environmental Analysis.  The Sellers will allow the 
Buyer and its employees, agents, servants, representatives and contractors 
to enter upon the Real Property, Leased Property and Irving Property at 
reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for purposes of making or 
performing such tests, borings, surveys, studies, environmental samplings 
or tests, general inspections and such other customary and/or reasonable 
studies, inspections and tests thereon as agreed upon by the Buyer and the 
Sellers. 
  
(j)  Compliance With Laws.  At all times prior to the Closing Date, the 
Sellers will use reasonable efforts to comply with (i) Environmental Laws 
and Health and Safety Laws, and (ii) the terms and conditions of all 
Permits. 
  
(k)  Environmental Remedial Actions.  The Sellers shall use their 
reasonable best efforts to accomplish as soon as possible the actions set 
forth on Schedule 16(k) ("Environmental Remedial Actions"). 
  
(l)  Fixed Assets.  The Sellers shall not sell, transfer or dispose of any 
of the Fixed Assets following the date hereof without the prior consent of 
the Buyer. 
  
17.  CLOSING DATE.  The closing of the transactions contemplated herein 
(the "Closing") shall be held at the offices of Smith Helms Mulliss & 
Moore, L.L.P. at a date and time mutually agreeable to the parties (the 
"Closing Date"), which Closing Date is intended to be no later than June 3, 
1996, and in no event shall be later than June 24, 1996. 
  
18.  BUYER'S CONDITIONS OF CLOSING.  Each and every obligation of the Buyer 
to consummate the transactions described in this Agreement and any and all 
liability of the Buyer to the Sellers under this Agreement shall be subject 
to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing Date, of the following 
conditions precedent: 
  
(a)  The Sellers shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the 
Buyer at the Closing each of the following, in form and substance 
reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer: 

  (i)  Certified copies of each of the charter and bylaws of each of TUSA, 
TPR, Prima, Hilos and Dixie; 

  (ii)  Certificates of Existence or Good Standing as to each of TUSA, TPR, 
Prima, Hilos and Dixie issued by the Secretaries of State (or other 
appropriate official) of the respective jurisdictions in which each was 
incorporated, all of a recent date; 
  
  (iii)  Certificates of Qualification issued by the Secretaries of State 
(or other appropriate official) of the respective jurisdictions in which 
Assets are located and Threads is required to so qualify in order to 
conduct business and in which the failure to so qualify would result in a 
material adverse effect on the operations and financial condition of 
Threads, all of a recent date; 
  
  (iv)  Certificates as to the Good Standing of each of TUSA, TPR, Prima, 
Hilos and Dixie issued by the Department of Revenue (or other appropriate 
office) of such jurisdictions in which each was incorporated, all of a 
recent date; 
  
  (v)  Certified copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors and, to 
the extent required, the shareholders of each of TUSA, TPR, Prima, Hilos 
and Dixie approving the transactions set forth herein;
  
  (vi)  A signature and incumbency certificate for each of TUSA, TPR, 
Prima, Hilos and Dixie; 
  
  (vii)  A Bill of Sale substantially in the form of Exhibit G attached 
hereto (the "Bill of Sale"), and such other bills of sale, assignments of 
the Contracts or other certificates necessary to transfer title to the 
Assets to the Buyer; 
  
  (viii)  A duly executed Noncompetition Agreement; 

  (ix)  A duly executed Escrow Agreement; 
  
  (x)  Duly executed Real Estate Instruments; 
  
  (xi)  A duly executed Yarn and Finished Goods Agreement; 
  
  (xii)  A duly executed Accounts Receivable Agreement; 
  
  (xiii)  A duly executed Computer Systems and Administrative Services 
Agreement; 
  
  (xiv)  A listing setting forth all Fixed Assets purchased, sold or 
transferred during the period from May 21, 1996 through the Closing Date; 
  
  (xv)  Certificates of title to those Motor Vehicles listed on Schedule 
1(d);
  
  (xvi)  The favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Witt, 
Gaither & Whitaker, P.C., counsel to the Seller, to the effect that, except 
as otherwise disclosed to the Buyer: 
  
    (1)  each of TUSA, TPR, Prima, Hilos and Dixie is a corporation duly 
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the 
jurisdictions in which each was organized, each has adequate corporate 
power to carry on the businesses in which it is now engaged, and each is 
qualified and authorized to do business and each is in good standing as a 
foreign corporation in which each is required to be qualified to do 
business and the failure to so qualify would result in a material adverse 
effect on the operations and financial conditions of Threads; 

    (2)  the execution, delivery and performance by each of TUSA, TPR, 
Prima, Hilos and Dixie of this Agreement and the Related Documents to which 
each of the Sellers is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary 
corporate and stockholder action, and this Agreement and the Related 
Documents to which each of the Sellers is a party have been duly executed 
and delivered by each of the Sellers, and constitute the legal, valid and 
binding agreements of the Sellers, enforceable against each of them in 
accordance with their respective terms except that (i) such enforcement may 
be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other 
similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditor's rights, and 
(ii) the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of 
equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion 
of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought forth; 
  
    (3)  the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the 
Related Documents to which each of the Sellers is a party will not violate 
any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of TUSA, TPR, 
Prima, Hilos or Dixie, any law or regulation applicable to the Sellers or 
any material provision of, or obligation under, any agreement, indenture, 
instrument, lease, contract or other material undertaking of which such 
counsel has knowledge and to which any of the Sellers is currently a party 
or by which it is currently bound.  No consent, approval or authorization 
of any governmental authority or regulatory body is required except as set 
forth in Section 18(i) for any of the Sellers to execute, deliver and 
perform the Agreement or the Related Documents to which any of the Sellers 
is a party; and
  
    (4)  to such counsel's best knowledge, there is no litigation, 
proceeding or governmental investigation pending or threatened against or 
relating to any of the Sellers, the Assets or the transactions contemplated 
by this Agreement; 
  
  (xvii)  Evidence that the Sellers have paid the 1995 ad valorem taxes 
levied on the Assets; 

  (xviii)  A list of all prospective purchasers of the Assets who entered 
into nondisclosure agreements with the Sellers, together with a copy of 
each such nondisclosure agreement; 
  
  (xix)  A written certification executed by a duly authorized officer of 
the Sellers that the representations and warranties of the Sellers 
contained in this Agreement, are true on and as of the Closing Date with 
the same effect as if such representations and warranties had been made on 
and as of such date, and that each of the conditions to be performed or 
observed by the Sellers on or before the Closing Date pursuant to the terms 
hereof has been performed or observed or waived in writing by the Buyer; 
and 
  
  (xx)  A written certification executed by a duly authorized officer of 
Dixie that the Sellers have no reason to believe that Norfolk Southern 
Railway will not, within thirty (30) days following the Closing, enter into 
licenses allowing the Buyer to use and enjoy the Improvements that encroach 
upon any easement or right of way of or real property owned by Norfolk 
Southern Railway. 
  
(b)  All Assets shall have been effectively assigned and transferred to the 
Buyer, including the receipt of all necessary third party consents, 
waivers, estoppel certificates, notices and acknowledgements as required by 
the Buyer. 
  
(c)  The receipt or assurance of receipt by the Buyer of all necessary 
material governmental licenses, permits and approvals to acquire the Assets 
and conduct the Business. 
  
(d)  The Sellers and the Buyer shall have entered into a lease 
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H (the "Irving Lease") 
pursuant to which the Buyer will lease that certain facility located in 
Irving, Texas (the "Irving Property") more particularly described in 
Exhibit H. 
  
(e)  The Sellers and the Buyer shall have entered into a sublease 
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (the "Moonachie 
Sublease") pursuant to which the Buyer will sublease that certain facility 
located in Moonachie, New Jersey, more particularly described in Exhibit I. 
  
(f)  The Sellers, at their sole costs and expense, shall have addressed and 
resolved all environmental conditions and matters set forth on Schedule 
16(k) except for the Third Environmental Matter, the Fifth Environmental 
Matter and the First Environmental Health and Safety Matter, which will be 
resolved within the time periods set forth therein. 
  
(g)  The Buyer shall have no reason to believe that Norfolk Southern 
Railway will not, within thirty (30) days following the Closing, enter into 
licenses allowing the Buyer to use and enjoy the Improvements that encroach 
upon any easement or right of way of or real property owned by Norfolk 
Southern Railway. 
  
19.  SELLERS' CONDITIONS OF CLOSING.  Each and every obligation of the 
Sellers to consummate the transactions described in this Agreement and any 
and all liability of the Sellers to the Buyer under this Agreement shall be 
subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing Date, of the following 
conditions precedent:  
  
(a)  The Buyer shall have satisfied and paid the Purchase Price at the 
Closing. 
  
(b)  The Buyer shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Seller 
at the Closing each of the following, in form and substance reasonably 
satisfactory to the Sellers: 
  
  (i)  Articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Buyer; 
  
  (ii)  Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Existence for the 
Buyer issued by the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina; 
  
  (iii)  Certified copies of resolutions adopted by the Buyer's Board of 
Directors approving the transactions set forth herein; 
  
  (iv)  A signature and incumbency certificate for the Buyer; 
  
  (v)  A duly executed Escrow Agreement; 
  
  (vi)  A duly executed Yarn and Finish Goods Agreement; 
  
  (vii)  A duly executed Accounts Receivable Agreement; 
  
  (viii)  A duly executed Computer Systems and Administrative Services 
Agreement; 
  
  (ix)  An opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Smith Helms Mulliss & 
Moore, L.L.P., counsel to the Buyer, to the effect that: 
  
    (1)  the Buyer is a corporation duly organized and validly existing 
under the laws of the State of North Carolina; 
  
    (2)  the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the 
Related Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate 
action and this Agreement and the Related Documents to which the Buyer is a 
party have been duly executed and delivered by the Buyer and constitute the 
legal, valid and binding agreements of the Buyer, enforceable against the 
Buyer in accordance with their respective terms except that (i) such 
enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, 
moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to 
creditor's rights, and (ii) the remedy of specific performance in 
injunction and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable 
defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding 
therefor may be brought forth; and 
  
    (3)  the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the 
Related Documents will not violate any provision of the articles of 
incorporation or the bylaws of the Buyer, any law or regulation applicable 
to the Buyer, or any material provision of, or obligation under, any 
agreement, indenture, instrument, lease, contract or other material 
undertaking of which such counsel has knowledge and to which the Buyer is 
currently a party or by which it is currently bound.  No consent, approval 
or authorization of any governmental authority or regulatory body or other 
third party is required for the Buyer to execute, deliver and perform this 
Agreement and the Related Documents. 
  
  (x)  A certificate of the Buyer to the effect that the Buyer has no 
knowledge that (a) any representation or warranty of the Sellers made 
herein is materially incorrect and (b) the Sellers have violated any of 
their covenants contained herein; and 
  
  (xi)  A written certification executed by a duly authorized officer of 
the Buyer that the representations and warranties of the Buyer contained  
in this Agreement, are true on and as of the Closing Date with the same 
effect as if such representations and warranties had been made on and as of 
such date, and that each of the conditions to be performed or observed by 
the Buyer on or before the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof has 
been performed or observed or waived in writing by the Sellers. 
  
20.  NONCOMPLIANCE WITH BULK TRANSFER LAWS; INDEMNIFICATION.

(a)  The Buyer has waived the Sellers' compliance with the bulk transfer 
statutes in force in the jurisdictions in which the Assets are located.  As 
a result, the Sellers, jointly and severally, hereby agree to indemnify and 
hold harmless the Buyer against any and all claims, loss, costs or 
expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, which the Buyer may sustain 
as a result of any payment which may be required to be made or any 
liability of any kind which may be imposed upon the Buyer as a result of 
any claim, loss, cost or expense or reasonable attorneys' fees which may be 
required of or incurred by the Buyer whatsoever arising out of 
noncompliance with any bulk transfer laws. 
  
(b)  The Sellers, jointly and severally, hereby agree to indemnify and hold 
harmless the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby agrees to indemnify and hold 
harmless the Sellers, against any and all liability, claims, damages, 
losses, costs or expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees ("Losses"), 
relating to (i) any claims by any person for any commissions, broker's or 
finder's fee relating to this Agreement or the purchase and sale of Assets 
contemplated herein; (ii) any breach of, noncompliance with or 
misrepresentation contained in any representation, warranty or covenant 
contained herein or in the Related Documents and (iii) without regard to 
any limitation as to the Sellers' knowledge, the inaccuracy of any 
representation contained in Section 11(w) with respect to the Irving 
Property and the Leased Property. 
  
(c)  The Sellers hereby agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the 
Buyer from and against any and all Losses, which the Buyer may sustain as a 
result of any claims, actions or damages of any nature whatsoever relating 
to (i) the Sellers' operation of the Business or use of the Assets prior to 
the Closing Date (except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 8(a) 
hereof), (ii) goods manufactured and/or sold by Sellers prior to the 
Closing Date (iii) the existence of any lien, encumbrance or security 
interest in the Assets, (iv) the treatment, storage, disposal, release, 
threatened release, application, spill, leak, discharge or emission of any 
Hazardous Material or Other Material at any property or site other than the 
Real Property to the extent such Hazardous Material or Other Material 
originated from or was generated by Sellers or their facilities or 
operations, except this provision shall not apply to any release of any 
Hazardous Material or Other Material on the Real Property which then 
migrated from the Real Property onto land contiguous to the Real Property, 
(v) the release, threatened release, application, spill, leak, discharge or 
emission of any Hazardous Material or Other Material to the air, surface 
water, groundwater or soil of the Leased Property or Irving Property, 
except to the extent caused by Buyer or its activities and operations, or 
(vi) the Sellers' failure to satisfy or perform those actions required of 
them as set forth on Schedule 16(k) or as otherwise provided in this 
Agreement. 
  
(d)  The Buyer hereby agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold the Sellers 
harmless from and against any and all Losses which the Sellers may sustain 
as a result of any claims, actions or damages of any nature whatsoever 
relating to (i) the Buyer's operation of the Business or use of the Assets 
on and after the Closing Date including, but not limited to, any breach of 
warranty claims relating to products manufactured, sold, or distributed by 
the Buyer subsequent to the Closing Date (except for products manufactured 
or purchased by Seller prior to the Closing Date or for products which are 
Assets) and all general liability claims arising out of or relating to 
occurrences of any nature relating to the Buyer's business subsequent to 
the Closing Date; (ii) the failure of the Buyer to pay, perform, and 
discharge when due and owing any of the assumed obligations described in 
Section 8(a) hereof; and (iii) any tax filing or return (including without 
limitation, federal tax returns) or payment made, or position taken, by the 
Buyer that any governmental authority challenges. 
  
(e)  In the event that prior to Closing the Buyer has knowledge that any 
representation or warranty of the Sellers contained herein was incorrect 
when made or that the Sellers have violated any covenant contained herein, 
the Buyer shall by such action have conclusively waived any claim for 
indemnification under this Section 20 because of such incorrect 
representation or warranty, breach of warranty or violation of covenant. 
  
(f)  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Sellers 
shall not be required to indemnify the Buyer pursuant to this Section 20 
for any breach of or noncompliance with any representation, warranty or 
covenant made herein until the aggregate amount of all Losses exceeds 
Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) in which event the entire aggregate 
amount and all amounts thereafter shall be paid by the Sellers.  Further, 
Sellers shall not be required to indemnify Buyer unless Sellers receive 
notice from Buyer prior to the expiration of the applicable representation, 
warranty or covenant (as set forth in Section 24 hereof) of any such claim 
or potential claim, which claim must be "probable" as defined by FASB No. 
5. Except as otherwise provided therein, Sellers shall in no event be 
liable for any incidental or consequential damages including loss of 
profits or punitive damages. 
  
(g)  (i) Immediately upon receipt by the Buyer of any claim against it as 
described in subsections (a), (b) or (c) above (the "Buyer's Third Party 
Claims"), it shall advise the Sellers in writing of such claim and provide 
a copy of the complaint or other document or documents asserting the claim, 
and within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such notice, the Sellers shall 
(i) pay the same or (ii) notify the Buyer in a writing executed by the 
Sellers that it disputes such claim and intends to defend against it, and 
thereafter so defend and pay, any adverse final judgment or award of 
settlement amount in regard thereto.  During such fifteen (15) day period, 
the Buyer, after consultation with the Sellers, may take any action with 
respect to said claim which is necessary to protect against further damage 
or default.  The cost of such defense shall be borne by the Sellers.  If 
the Sellers fail to take action within fifteen (15) days as set forth 
above, then the Buyer shall have the right to pay, compromise or defend any 
such Buyer's Third Party Claims; provided that the Buyer has delivered a 
notice to the Sellers of its intention to take such action at least five 
(5) days prior to taking such action.  The Sellers shall promptly pay or 
reimburse the Buyer in respect of any amount of payment plus costs of 
defense incurred by the Buyer hereunder.  The Buyer and the Sellers shall 
cooperate with each other in the defense of any Buyer's Third Party Claims 
brought hereunder. 

  (ii)  With respect to any matter under subsections (a), (b) or (c) above 
other than the Buyer's Third Party Claims, the Buyer shall give written 
notice to the Sellers outlining with reasonable particularity the nature 
and amount of such claim.  The Sellers shall have fifteen (15) days from 
receipt of the Buyer's notice of such claim to notify the Buyer of the 
Sellers' objection to the nature or amount of the proposed claim for 
indemnification, specifying the grounds for such objection.  If no such 
notice of objection is given by the Seller within fifteen (15) days as set 
forth above, the Buyer shall be entitled to immediate indemnification 
hereunder.  If objection is given within fifteen (15) days as set forth 
above, the dispute may be resolved by arbitration or by agreement between 
the parties.  The parties to any such arbitration shall be entitled to 
indemnification for its reasonable attorneys' fees and filing fees to the 
extent such indemnification is awarded by the arbitrator or arbitrators. 
  
(h)  (i) Immediately upon receipt by any of the Sellers of any claim 
against it as described in subsections (b) and (d) above (the "Seller's 
Third Party Claims"), it shall advise the Buyer in writing of such claim, 
and provide a copy of the complaint or other document or documents 
asserting the claim and within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such notice 
the Buyer shall (i) pay the same or (ii) notify such Sellers in a writing 
executed by the Buyer that it disputes such claim and intends to defend 
against it, and thereafter so defend and pay, any adverse final judgment or 
award of settlement amount in regard thereto.  During such fifteen (15) day 
period, the affected Seller, after consultation with the Buyer, may take 
any action with respect to said claim which is necessary to protect against 
further damage or default.  The cost of such defense shall be borne by the 
Buyer.  If the Buyer fails to take action within fifteen (15) days as set 
forth above, then the Seller shall have the right to pay, compromise or 
defend any such Seller's Third Party Claims; provided that the affected 
Seller has delivered a notice to the Buyer of its intention to take such 
action at least five (5) days prior to taking such action.  The Buyer shall 
promptly pay or reimburse the affected Seller in respect of any amount of 
payment plus costs of defense incurred by the Seller hereunder.  The Buyer 
and the affected Seller shall cooperate with each other in the defense of 
any Seller's Third Party Claims brought hereunder. 
  
  (ii)  With respect to any matter under subsection (b) above other than 
the Seller's Third Party Claims, the affected Seller shall give written 
notice to the Buyer outlining with reasonable particularity the nature and 
amount of such claim.  The Buyer shall have fifteen (15) days from receipt 
of the Seller's notice of such claim to notify the Seller of the Buyer's 
objection to the nature or amount of the proposed claim for 
indemnification, specifying the ground for such objection.  If no such 
notice of objection is given by the Buyer within fifteen (15) days as set 
forth above, the Seller shall be entitled to immediate indemnification 
hereunder.  If objection is given within fifteen (15) days as set forth 
above, the dispute may be resolved by arbitration or by agreement between 
the parties.  The parties to any such arbitration shall be entitled to 
indemnification for its reasonable attorneys' fees and filing fees to the 
extent such indemnification is awarded by the arbitrator or arbitrators. 
  
(i)  Subject to the provisions of Section 20(f), the Buyer shall have the 
right to set off against any obligation of the Buyer to the Sellers, 
including any amounts due pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the 
Related Documents, any Losses, but only after such obligation has been 
established through arbitration. 
  
21.  TERMINATION.
  
(a)  The obligations of the parties with respect to the Closing may be 
terminated: 

  (i)  by mutual consent of the parties; or 
  
  (ii)  at the election of the Sellers if the Closing Date shall not have 
occurred on or prior to June 24, 1996 or it has become reasonably certain 
that any condition specified in Section 19 hereof will not be satisfied 
prior to such date and such condition has not been waived in writing by the 
Sellers unless the failure of such occurrence shall be due to the failure 
of the Sellers to perform or observe its agreements set forth herein; or 
  
  (iii)  at the election of the Buyer if it has become reasonably certain 
that any condition specified in Section 18 hereof will not be satisfied 
prior to such date and such condition has not been waived in writing by the 
Buyer unless the failure of such occurrence shall be due to the failure of 
the Buyer to perform or observe its agreements set forth herein; or 
  
  (iv)  at the election of either party in accordance with any rights such 
party may have pursuant to Section 15(f) hereof. 
  
(b)  In the event of termination in accordance with this Section, this 
Agreement shall become null and void and of no further force and effect, 
each party shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by it in connection 
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein and no party 
shall have any further liability to the other party because of the failure 
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. 
  
22.  POST-CLOSING COVENANTS. 
  
(a)  Threads' Employees. 

  (i)  The Buyer shall have the right to employ, on an individual basis, in 
its sole discretion, after the Closing, any employees on Threads' payroll 
and the Selected Dixie Employees (the "Employees"), other than the 
Employees identified on Schedule 22(a) (the "Excluded Employees").  Any 
Employees hired will receive benefits similar to those available to 
similarly situated employees of the Buyer. 

  (ii)  Subject to the provisions of Section 20, the Sellers shall be 
responsible for and shall hold the Buyer harmless with respect to all 
claims (including the costs of defense thereof) asserted against the Buyer 
pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 
U.S.C. Section 2101-09 or similar state, local or foreign country laws or 
regulations (collectively, "WARN Laws") by Employees of the Sellers who 
Buyer does not hire and place on its payroll immediately following the 
Closing. 

  (iii)  In addition to liability under WARN Laws, the Sellers shall be 
responsible for all other obligations and severance costs, if any, required 
to be paid to Employees arising out of their employment by the Sellers or 
the termination thereof, shall pay to all hourly Employees accrued vacation 
pay through May 31, 1996 and shall pay to all salaried Employees hired by 
the Buyer immediately following the Closing accrued vacation pay equal to 
five-twelfths (5/12) of the total amount of vacation pay that would have 
been paid if the Employee had been employed for the entire year, less any 
amounts paid with respect to vacation days previously taken by the Employee 
in 1996. 
  
(b)  Employee Benefit Plans. 

  (i)  Except as provided in paragraph j below, the Sellers and the Buyer 
agree that Buyer is not acquiring or succeeding to any obligations with 
respect to the Seller's Employee Benefit Plans and that the Buyer is not 
intended to be and is not a successor employer to Sellers for any purposes, 
including with respect to COBRA, and that no benefit plan sponsored or 
maintained by the Buyer is intended to be and no such benefit plan shall be 
a successor plan to any of Sellers' Employee Benefit Plans.  Sellers agree 
that they will comply with COBRA after the Closing with respect to all 
qualified beneficiaries who had a qualifying event as of or prior to the 
Closing.  Subject to the provisions of Section 20, Sellers agree to 
indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer against and in respect of all claims, 
losses, costs or expenses including reasonable attorneys' fees, which the 
Buyer may sustain as a result of any claims, actions or damages of any 
nature whatsoever relating to a breach of, noncompliance with or 
misrepresentation contained in any representation and warranty contained in 
Section 11(aa) or covenant of the Sellers contained in this Section 22(b).  
"COBRA" shall mean the provisions for the continuation of health care 
enacted by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as 
amended as set forth in Section 4080B of the Code (and any amendments or 
predecessor or successor provisions) and Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA 
(and any amendments or predecessor or successor provisions), including any 
regulations promulgated under the applicable provisions of the Code and 
ERISA. 
  
  (ii)  Sellers agree to provide to Buyer, no sooner than 150 days and no 
later than 180 days following the Closing Date, an update of each of the 
lists set forth in Schedules 11(aa)(xi)(A), (B) and (C), dated no later 
than 14 days prior to the date delivered to the Buyer, each of which as of 
its date completely and correctly sets forth for each individual whether or 
not a lump sum payment has actually been made to each such individual, or 
if a periodic distribution has commenced, the amount and duration of such 
periodic payments, and the aggregate amount of the lump sum payments that 
have been made to such individuals as of such date.  In addition, Sellers 
agree that at Buyer's request, a further update of each list described in 
this subsection will be prepared and delivered to Buyer within a reasonable 
time to set forth for each individual, as of the date which is one year 
following the Closing Date, whether or not a lump sum payment has actually 
been made to such individual, or if a periodic distribution has commenced, 
the amount and duration of such periodic payments, and the aggregate amount 
of the lump sum payments that have been made to such individuals as of such 
date. 
  
(c)  Delivery of Mail, Etc.  The Sellers will deliver promptly to the Buyer 
any mail, documents or instruments received by a Seller after the Closing 
Date pertaining to the post-Closing Date operations of the Buyer and the 
Buyer will promptly deliver to the Sellers any mail, documents or 
instruments received by it after the Closing Date pertaining to the pre-
Closing Date operations of the Sellers.
  
(d)  Certain Assets of Dixie.  The Sellers agree that if, following the 
Closing, the parties identify any assets of Dixie used primarily in 
connection with the Business which are not listed on Schedule 1(o) hereto, 
the Sellers will take such action as is necessary to transfer title to such 
assets to the Buyer without adjustment to the Purchase Price. 
  
(e)  Access to Records.  The parties agree to maintain all records relating 
to the Business in accordance with their existing records retention 
policies and procedures (including, in the case of the Sellers, retention 
of such records as if the Business were an on-going operation of the 
Sellers) and to make such records available for inspection or copying by 
the other parties hereto (or their attorneys, accountants, consultants or 
agents) on reasonable notice and during normal business hours. 
  
(f)  Access to Certain Facilities.
  
  (i)  Sellers hereby grant to the Buyer the right to obtain access to the 
Threads' facilities in Mexico and Honduras during the sixty (60) day 
period, and Puerto Rico during the ninety (90) day period, beginning on the 
Closing Date for the purpose of removing the Assets therefrom and 
conducting other activities as contemplated by the Yarn and Finished Goods 
Agreement.  Dixie hereby grants to the Buyer the right to obtain access to 
Dixie's Rex Plant and Dixie's Osceola Plant during the one hundred twenty 
(120) day period beginning on the Closing Date for the purpose of removing 
from the Rex Plant the spinning frames that constitute a portion of the 
Assets and from the Osceola Plant drafting systems that constitutes a 
portion of the Assets.  The Buyer shall be responsible for and shall hold 
Sellers harmless with respect to any damage to any of the facilities of the 
Sellers or any damage to property or injury to persons caused by the Buyer 
or its agents in connection with the activities contemplated by this 
Section 22(f)(i). 
  
  (ii)  The Buyer hereby grants to the Sellers the right to obtain access 
to certain of the Real Property during the thirty (30) day period beginning 
on the Closing Date for the purpose of removing therefrom Raw Materials, 
Supplies, Parts and In-Process Inventories and Notions Finished Goods 
excluded from the Assets pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 and certain of the 
Other Excluded Assets.  With respect to those Other Excluded Assets that 
will remain in the possession of the Buyer for a period of time following 
the Closing pursuant to Section 22(k), the Sellers shall have the right to 
obtain access to certain of the Real Property during the thirty (30) day 
period beginning on the termination of the Buyer's right to use such Other 
Excluded Assets for the purpose of removing those Other Excluded Assets.  
Subject to the provisions of Section 20, the Seller shall be responsible 
for and shall hold the Buyer harmless with respect to any damage to any of 
the Real Property or any damage to property or injury to persons caused by 
the Sellers or their agents in connection with the activities contemplated 
by this Section 22(f)(ii). 
  
(g)  Excluded Customer Reports.  The Sellers shall provide to the Buyer 
within thirty (30) days following the Closing Date a complete list of all 
Customer records subject to confidentiality restrictions imposed by third 
parties.  In addition, the Sellers shall cooperate with the Buyer in 
obtaining the consent of such third parties to the release by the Sellers 
to the Buyer of such Customer records. 
  
(h)  Certain Employee Matters.  The Sellers and the Buyer shall cooperate 
with one another following the Closing in order to achieve a smooth 
transition with respect to employment and payroll matters. 
  
(i)  Certain Health and Safety Matters.  If, as a result of the inspection 
conducted by OSHA at TUSA's Pinkney Plant on or about April 30, 1996 or any 
follow-up inspection, the Sellers or the Buyer shall receive notice of any 
required corrective action, the Sellers shall either promptly cause such 
corrective action to be taken to the satisfaction of OSHA or shall 
reimburse the Buyer for the cost of such corrective action and the Buyer 
shall then promptly cause such corrective action to be taken to the 
satisfaction of OSHA.  Any fines or penalties arising about of such 
inspection shall be the responsibility of the Sellers. 
  
(j)  401(k) Plans Spinoff/Transfer.  The Sellers and the Buyer agree that 
on a mutually agreeable date within a reasonable time following the Closing 
Date (the "Spinoff/ Transfer Date"), the Sellers will cause the assets and 
liabilities (the "Spinoff Assets/Liabilities") of the Dixie Yarns, Inc. 
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan and the Dixie Yarns, Inc. Salaried Exempt 
Associates' Retirement Savings Plan (collectively, "Sellers' 401(k) Plans") 
held with respect to Threads employees (including the Selected Dixie 
Employees) employed by the Buyer on the Spinoff/Transfer Date to be spun 
off from Sellers' 401(k) Plans and transferred to the Transferee Plan (as 
hereinafter defined).  The transferred Spinoff Assets/Liabilities will be 
maintained either as a separate defined contribution plan established by 
the Buyer or by merging the Spinoff Assets/Liabilities into an existing 
defined contribution plan maintained by the Buyer or a parent or affiliate 
corporation of the Buyer (the "Transferee Plan").  The Transferee Plan will 
be maintained as a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code and will 
have received or applied for a favorable determination letter to that 
effect within the last two years (or, in the case of a newly created plan, 
will promptly apply for a favorable determination letter), and nothing will 
have occurred since the issuance of, or application for, such letter that 
would adversely affect the tax qualification of such Transferee Plan.  The 
Sellers agree to pay the Buyer within thirty (30) days following the 
Spinoff/Transfer Date as consideration for accepting the Spinoff 
Assets/Liabilities the sum of (i) Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000), plus (ii) 
Ten Dollars ($10) for each participant account balance transferred from the 
Sellers' 401(k) Plans to the Transferee Plan. 
  
(k)  Certain Other Excluded Assets.  The Buyer shall be entitled to retain 
possession of and continue to use those Other Excluded Assets listed in 
Item 1 of the addendum to Schedule 6(g) until the Buyer's obligations under 
the Accounts Receivable Agreement and the Yarn and Finished Goods Agreement 
shall have terminated. 
  
(l)  Motor Vehicles.  The Sellers agree to cause the Motor Vehicles 
designated by the Buyers to be delivered to the Buyers immediately 
following the Closing. 
  
(m)  Sewer Easement.  The Sellers agree that within three (3) years 
following the Closing Date they will either obtain all necessary easements 
with respect to the sewer lines running from the Sellers' Pinkney Plant or 
will pay to the Buyer the amount necessary for the Buyer to construct an 
alternate sewer line to the nearest available sewer line not requiring 
easements not obtained by the Sellers. 
  
23.  CONFIDENTIALITY.  TUSA, TPR and Dixie agree that the obligations 
imposed upon them pursuant to the letter agreement dated March 12, 1996 
between them and the Buyer shall survive the Closing and remain in full 
force and effect thereafter.  In addition, the Sellers agree that all 
nonpublic or proprietary information, and all information that constitutes 
trade secrets pertaining to the Business, the Assets and the terms and 
conditions of this Agreement and the Phase I Environmental Assessment 
Reports listed on Schedule 11(w)(i) hereto (the "Confidential Information") 
shall be deemed confidential and shall be kept by them in strict 
confidence.  The Sellers will not, without the prior written consent of the 
Buyer, except as required by law, release or disclose any Confidential 
Information.  In the event that any of the Sellers receives a request to 
disclose all or part of the Confidential Information (by oral questions, 
interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil 
investigative demand, any information or formal investigation by any 
government or governmental agency or authority or otherwise) such Seller 
will (a) immediately notify the Buyer of the existence, terms and 
circumstances surrounding such request, (b) consult with the Buyer on the 
advisability of taking legally available steps to resist or narrow such 
request and (c) if disclosure of such information is required, furnish only 
that portion of the Confidential Information which, in the written opinion 
of such Seller's counsel, such Seller is legally compelled to disclose, and 
to cooperate with any action by the Buyer to obtain an appropriate 
protective order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment 
will be accorded to such portion of the disclosed Confidential Information 
which the Buyer so designates.  The foregoing notwithstanding, the Sellers 
may disclose the existence of this Agreement, the Purchase Price for the 
Assets and other routine information required to be disclosed pursuant to 
applicable federal and state securities laws.  The Buyer agrees that it 
will maintain the confidentiality of the Phase I Environmental Assessment 
Reports listed on Schedule 11(w)(i) hereto and will not, without the prior 
written consent of the Seller, except as required by law, release or 
disclose any information contained in such reports, except that the reports 
relating to the Real Property may be disclosed to any party who agrees to 
maintain the confidentiality of such reports.
  
24.  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.  The 
representations and warranties in this Agreement, in any Related Document 
or in any exhibit, list, instrument or document delivered in connection 
herewith or therewith shall survive the Closing for a period of three (3) 
years thereafter; provided, however, that (a) representations, warranties 
and covenants with respect to product liability matters and the matters 
discussed in Section 22(a) shall survive the Closing for a period of five 
(5) years thereafter and (b) representations and warranties with respect to 
title to the Assets and with respect to environmental matters shall survive 
the Closing without any limitation as to time.
  
25.  NOTICES.  Any and all notices, certificates, demands or other 
communications permitted or required to be made under this Agreement shall 
be in writing signed by the party giving such notice or demand, and 
delivered personally, or sent by (i) facsimile transmission, (ii) 
recognized overnight delivery service or (iii) registered or certified mail 
to the other party at the address set forth below, or at such other address 
as may be supplied in writing pursuant to the terms of this section.  The 
recipient of such notice shall be deemed to have received the notice (i) on 
the date of delivery or the date of transmission if the notice was 
personally delivered or sent by facsimile transmission on a Business Day 
(or if not a Business Day then the next Business Day), (ii) on the Business 
Day after dispatch if the notice was sent by recognized overnight delivery 
service or (iii) five (5) days after dispatch if sent by registered or 
certified mail.  The rejection or inability to deliver because of a change 
of address of which no notice has been given shall not effect the validity 
of any notice or demand sent in accordance with the provisions hereof.  For 
purposes of this Agreement, notices shall be addressed as follows:

  If to the Sellers at:     Dixie Yarns, Inc.
                            1100 South Watkins Street 
                            Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404 
                            Attention:  Chief Financial Officer 
                            Facsimile No.:  (423) 493-7442 

  with a required copy to:  Witt, Gaither & Whitaker, P.C. 
                            1100 SunTrust Bank Building 
                            Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 
                            Attention:  Ralph M. Killebrew, Jr. 
                            Facsimile No.:  (423) 266-4138 

  If to the Buyer at:       American & Efird, Inc. 
                            22 American Street 
                            Mt. Holly, North Carolina 28120 
                            Attention:  President 
                            Facsimile No.:  (704) 827-0508 

  with a required copy to:  Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore, L.L.P. 
                            214 North Church Street
                            Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
                            Attention: Harrison L. Marshall, Jr.
                            Facsimile No.:  (704) 334-8467 

  The Sellers and the Buyer may by notice given hereunder, designate from 
time to time any further or different addresses to which subsequent 
notices, certificates or other communications shall be sent. 
 
26.  KNOWLEDGE.  For purposes of this Agreement, "knowledge" shall mean, 
with respect to Sellers, to the knowledge of Daniel K. Frierson, Dave 
Clarke, Glenn Grandin, Don Huffman, Ron McKinney, Larry McGee and Derek 
Davis; and with respect to Buyer, Thomas W. Dickson, Craig Stover, Fred 
Jackson and Ron Ensley.

27.  BINDING EFFECT.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and 
shall be binding upon the Sellers and the Buyer and their respective 
successors and assigns.

28.  AMENDMENT, EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may not be 
amended, changed, modified, altered or terminated except by instrument in 
writing signed by the parties to be charged.  No provisions of this 
Agreement may be changed, amended, modified, terminated or waived as a 
result of any failure to enforce any provision or the waiver of any 
specific breach or breaches thereof or any course of conduct of the 
parties.  This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of 
which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and 
the same instrument.

29.  APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in 
accordance with the internal laws of the State of North Carolina. 

30.  SEVERABILITY.  In the event any provision of this Agreement or any 
instrument delivered in connection herewith shall be held invalid or 
unenforceable by any arbitral body or court of competent jurisdiction, such 
holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision 
hereof or thereof. 

31.  HEADINGS, EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES.  The Section headings in this 
Agreement are for convenience only, and they form no part of this Agreement 
and shall not affect its interpretation.  All exhibits and schedules 
attached hereto are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of 
this Agreement. 

32.  PAYMENT OF EXPENSES; DEFAULT.  Except as provided in Section 8(c), 
each of the parties to this Agreement shall pay its own expenses, costs and 
attorneys' fees associated with the negotiation, preparation, execution and 
delivery of this Agreement and the documents related thereto and the 
consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.  In the event of a 
default in the performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement or 
any of the documents related thereto, the defaulting party shall pay the 
reasonable attorneys' fees of the non-defaulting party associated with the 
enforcement of any of the provisions of any such document or agreement. 

33.  ARBITRATION.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Yarn and 
Finished Goods Agreement or the Accounts Receivable Agreement, any 
controversy, dispute or question arising out of, or in connection with, or 
in relation to this Agreement or its interpretation, performance or non-
performance or any breach thereof shall be determined by arbitration 
conducted in Charlotte, North Carolina in accordance with the then existing 
rules of The American Arbitration Association and any decision rendered by 
The American Arbitration Association shall be binding upon the parties 
hereto.  Any judgment upon any award, which may include an award of 
damages, may be entered in the highest State or Federal court having 
jurisdiction thereof.  The expense of arbitration shall be borne equally by 
the parties involved. 

34.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and accompanying documents contain 
the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter 
hereof and all prior or contemporaneous written or oral agreements with 
respect to the subject matter hereof are superseded hereby. 








     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Sellers and the Buyer have caused this 
Agreement to be executed in their respective names by their duly authorized 
officers and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed all as of the 
day first above written. 


                                     SELLER:

                                     T-C THREADS, INC.
ATTEST:

  /s/GEOFFREY G. YOUNG               By:/s/GLENN M. GRANDIN
  Geoffrey G. Young,                    Glenn M. Grandin, President 
  Assistant Secretary

(CORPORATE SEAL)


                                     THREADS OF PUERTO RICO, INC. 
ATTEST:


  /s/GEOFFREY G. YOUNG               By:/s/GLENN M. GRANDIN
  Geoffrey G. Young,                    Glenn M. Grandin, President
  Assistant Secretary


(CORPORATE SEAL) 


                                     DIXIE YARNS, INC.
ATTEST:


  /s/GARY A. HARMON                  By:/s/GLENN M. GRANDIN
  Gary A. Harmon, Treasurer             Glenn M. Grandin, Senior
                                        Vice President 

(CORPORATE SEAL)


                                     PRODUCTOS PARA LA INDUSTRIA DE
                                     LA MAQUILA, S.A. PRIMA
ATTEST: 


  /s/GEOFFRREY G. YOUNG              By:/s/GLENN M. GRANDIN
  Geoffrey G. Young,                    Glenn M. Grandin, President 
  Assistant Secretary

(CORPORATE SEAL)







                                     HILOS Y ACCESORIOS, S.A. DE  
                                     C.V.
ATTEST:


  /s/GEOFFREY G. YOUNG               By:/s/GLENN M. GRANDIN
  Geoffrey G. Young,                    Glenn M. Grandin, President 
  Assistant Secretary

(CORPORATE SEAL)


                                     BUYER:

                                     AMERICAN & EFIRD, INC.

ATTEST: 

  /s/CRAIG G. STOVER                 By:/s/THOMAS W. DICKSON
  Craig G. Stover, Secretary            Thomas W. Dickson, President

(CORPORATE SEAL)




































List of  omitted schedules and exhibits



Exhibit A                     Yarn and Finished Goods Agreement 
Exhibit B                     Accounts Receivable Agreement 
Exhibit C                     Assignment and Assumption Agreement 
Exhibit D                     Escrow Agreement 
Exhibit E                     Noncompetition Agreement 
Exhibit F                     Computer Systems and Administrative Services
                              Agreement 
Exhibit G                     Bill of Sale 
Exhibit H                     Irving Lease 
Exhibit I                     Moonachie Sublease 
Schedule 1(a)                 Land 
Schedule 1(b)                 Leases 
Schedule 1(c)                 Fixed Assets 
Schedule 1(d)                 Motor Vehicles 
Schedule 1(e)(i)              Customers 
Schedule 1(e)(ii)             Excluded Customer Reports 
Schedule 1(g)(i)              Trademarks and Tradenames 
Schedule 1(g)(iii)            Rights 
Schedule 1(I)                 Contracts 
Schedule 1(l)                 Telephone Numbers, Etc. 
Schedule 1(o)                 Other Dixie Assets 
Schedule 2(a)                 In-Process Inventory Valuation 
Schedule 2(b)                 Cotton Bales 
Schedule 6(g)                 Other Excluded Assets 
Schedule 8(a)                 Assumed Liabilities 
Schedule 11(d)(i)             1995 Property Adjustment Reports 
Schedule 11(d)(ii)            1996 Property Adjustment Reports 
Schedule 11(e)                Customer and Supplier Relationships 
Schedule 11(f)                Special Arrangements 
Schedule 11(g)                Sales Information 
Schedule 11(j)                Out of the Ordinary Course Transactions 
Schedule 11(k)                Customer Complaints Summary 
Schedule 11(l)                Open/Blanket Purchase Orders
Schedule 11(m)                Pending Lawsuits 
Schedule 11(n)                Required Consents 
Schedule 11(o)                Employment Discrimination and Other Claims 
Schedule 11(q)                Customer and Supplier Contracts  
Schedule 11(r)                Assignable Upon Consent Contracts 
Schedule 11(t)                Consigned Stock Locations 
Schedule 11(v)                Real Property Compliance and Repairs 
Schedule 11(w)(i)             Environmental Reports 
Schedule 11(w)(ii)            Environmental Exceptions 
Schedule 11(w)(v)             Permits 
Schedule 11(w)(vii)           Environmental Complaints 
Schedule 11(y)                Quality Standards 
Schedule 11(z)                Summary of Insurance Policies 
Schedule 11(aa)(i)            Pension Plans 
Schedule 11(aa)(ii)           Welfare Plans 
Schedule 11(aa)(iii)          Selected Dixie Employees 
Schedule 11(aa)(vii)          Reportable Events 
Schedule 11(aa)(viii)         Post-Retirement Life or Health Benefits 
Schedule 11(aa)(ix)           Acceleration 
Schedule 11(aa)(xi)(A)        Eligible Employees-Defined Benefit 
Schedule 11(aa)(xi)(B)        Eligible Employees-Nonqualified Contribution 
Schedule 11(aa)(xi)(C)        Eligible Employees-Nonqualified Savings 
Schedule 11(bb)               Nontransferable Permits 
Schedule 16(k)                Environmental Remedial Actions 
Schedule 22(a)                Excluded Employees