Updated December 2024: It’s baaaaaack!! There’s another Apparel Manufacturing Tour happening January 13, 2025 and this time it’s in New York City’s garment district. To register and see details, click here.
Where can fashion designers find factories, sewing contractors, pattern makers, and graders?
Glad you asked! We’ll take you on an tour insider tour of apparel, fashion, and sewn-product factories and manufacturing resources.
Years ago, I hosted Chicago Manufacturing Tours along with Anna of V. Mora. These tours always sold out and provided valuable contacts and resources for designers. Attendees flew into Chicago from all over the country and I wrote this post (back in 2012 – whaaaa?!?) to show you what the tour was like.
I went on a Chicago Apparel Manufacturing Tour and here’s what happened…
8:45 am: The designers arrive at Anna’s studio. It was fun to meet everyone IRL as I knew many of the names from my online classes and private coaching, but not the faces. The energy in the V. Mora studio was high.
Anna and I hand out folders for all the attendees with contact details of the factories we will visit today as well as a sample cutting tickets, a tech pack, and a few other handy production templates and cheatsheets Anna and her team use with their clients.
9:00 am: We head outside for a group pic and we pile into the mini-bus. Spirits are high.
Our mini-bus…
Our fearless driver, Kevin (with Anna from V. Mora)
9:15 am: Our first stop is a large factory on the north side of Chicago. The owner explains what he can do for designers and what machines he has. This is a pretty huge operation and the owner explains what they can do and what kind of sewn products thay make. It sounds to me like he can do everything which I promptly disregard as B.S. After I talk to Anna, however, she tells me the guy is serious.
She’s worked with his factory with a lot of clients and he really can do everything. And get this…she tells me he’s never missed a deadline.
Never missed a deadline? Is she kidding me? My eyes pretty much pop out of my head because the nature of apparel production is stacked against deadlines in almost every way.
In the 14 years I managed production for my women’s line of dresses and separates, I’ve honestly never experienced an apparel sewing contractor like that. I start to see Mr. Factory Owner #1 in a new light.
9:45 am: : Back in the van, we head south on the way to Chinatown. The chatter in the van is awesome – the designers are comparing notes, exchanging contact info, and just connecting to each other. It makes me happy because I know many of them feel isolated with the work they do. I certainly felt that way when I had my clothing line and retail store – like there was no one to talk to about my work and certainly no one who would be honest with me.
10:20 am: Chinatown. OK, so my first impression of this factory is that it’s crowded. It has very low ceilings and smells vaguely like mothballs and Asian food. When I see the quality of the work, however, it looks very, very good.
In the pressing room upstairs I see a silk jacket they’re finishing up with a silk cuff. I know for a fact that I NEVER had sewers who would have been able to make that cuff lie flat the way it is. It’s beautiful, flawless even. I fall in love.
2 floors of a factory with sewists and pressers in Chicago…
11:00 am: Off to Little Village for lunch. Even though it’s early we’re all starving. Lunch has been ordered ahead and the chips, salsa, and coke are ready to go when we enter the restaurant. The chips are the BEST I have ever eaten. No lie. The pork taco is mucho bueno – good enough to put this place on the schedule for the next tour.
The talk at the tables between the entrepreneurs is great – ideas are flowing and the general feeling is creative, fun, and exciting.
To be surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs in a tight group like this is not an everyday thing and we’re all appreciating it.
4 Factories. 5 Hours. 11 Designers. 2 Fashion Industry Consultants.
And 40 Tacos. What an experience…
12:00 pm: Off to the next stop. Once back in the van, we get stuck waiting for a freight train that is about 150 cars long. It is an interminable wait and for the first time the van is almost quiet. We all have a food hangover and designers whip out their phones, check email, and a few take a quick nap.
The next stop on our tour is a factory I’ve recommended to many clients. Their prices are reasonable and the work is good. They also do a terrific job on handbags and they manufacture for some well-known brands.
1:00 pm. We lost a lot of time on that darn train so I’m getting nervous we’ll run late. I know one of the designers has to fly back to NY tonight and I’m anxious to stick to the schedule. Our driver is, um, shall we say speedy, and we get to our next stop a lot faster than if it was me driving.
This last sewing contractor is one I used to manufacture my dresses for many, many years. My older son practically grew up on the floor of the factory – which sounds strange unless you’ve seen how spotless and organized this place is. They have to be clean because they make wedding dresses.
In addition to bridal, this contractor specializes in high end, finely crafted apparel and can handle tricky dress fabrics like chiffon and silk charmeuse. We all swoon at a bridal dress they are finishing up with 40 hand-sewn lace pieces – it’s about to be shipped off to Nordstrom and that’s going to be one happy bride.
High end dresses and wedding dresses…
The last stop on the Chicago apparel manufacturing tour:
1:30 pm: The last pile-in to the mini-bus. I’m overhearing some comments and feedback from the attendees including a few I jotted down…
- “I am very happy that everyone is so open to sharing about their businesses and their experiences. Meeting the other designers is a huge bonus I didn’t realize I would get from the tour. This day has been so great!”
- “Seriously it’s really amazing to do this and just knowing that there is a supportive network out there is so helpful!”
- “I would have enjoyed seeing one or two bigger operations like the first one we went to in the morning.”
- “I will definitely recommend this tour and I’d do it again myself! I would actually take the tour again if there will be different manufacturers on the trip.”
3:00 pm: The overall vibe is happy and energetic and the designers seem very motivated to get back to their businesses and crush it. We’re back where we started the day at the V. Mora studio and the designers promise to keep in touch and share information with each other. They’ve made real friends. My heart is full.
We hug goodbye and head out, back to our own businesses and lives, grateful for the support of a community of people who “get it”.
Since the tour went so well, we will definitely be offering more! We already have some designers booking their second tour. Yay!
What designers are saying about the Manufacturing Tour:
“I wanted an introduction to a few contractors and I definitely got that and more! I am currently sewing everything myself and I had no idea I was so close to having my production sewn elsewhere – it’s a very pleasant realization! Worth every penny.” -Sam Howard, Bobalookids,
The tour was even better than I expected! It was fantastic to get a chance to talk to so many great people and hear about their businesses and ideas. I like the manufacturer choices – they seem to offer a good variety/offerings.” -M.S., Chicago designer
“LOVING this manufacturing tour w/ Jane and Anna is TOTALLY worth the $ if you’re moving towards cut/sew!” – fashion entrepreneur, Truen J.
NYC Manufacturing Tour New Date Announced!
Manufacturing Tour Date and Info.
Questions about the tour? Email Anna at anna@vmora.com.
38 Responses
I am looking for a clothing manufacturer to help me make my clothing line. I ran across your website and was hoping you could give me a lead. My business is in Houston, Texas. I applique already sewn shirts with cut appliques.
Thanks!
Candice
Hi Candice! I’d like to get a little more information. Could you email us at brain@wordpress-284020-2736534.cloudwaysapps.com please? Thanks!
Hi Jane:
The tour looks wonderful; however, I’m not able to travel to Chicago in September of this year for your next tour. I live in Minnesota and can easily travel to Chicago another time — is it possible to get the information on the production companies and plan my own personal tour?
Thanks!
Rena Hall
Hi Rena,
I’ll email you to see what you’re looking for specifically. Maybe there’s a way to get you what you need!
Thanks,
Jane
Jane! Amazing! We have a company that is high end jewelry and we would like to add accessory clothing items with our beautiful logo and colors. Hats, t-shirts, scarves, etc., to start. Do you have suggestions? Thank you. Pauletta
Hi Pauletta,
Can you be more specific? Where are you located?
Hi, I’m looking to start my small line of clothing and I was looking for manufacters in the chicago area. Would you be able to help me?
I have a ton of questions up to including a clothing manufacturer in Chicago. Please help!!!
Hi, I’m starting an accessory line and I was wondering if you knew any good manufactures in the Chicago area. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you,
Ciera
Hi Jian,
Don’t know if you remember me, I was in your retail class at Columbia a few semesters ago. I wanted to know when the next manufacturing tour will be offered. Hope it’s coming up soon.
Thanks.
Hi Rogelio!
Of course I remember you! Hope you are doing great. The next tour will be probably March. I will be posting it to my site as soon as we set a date.
Hi,
I am soo happy that I have come across this website. Like many others, I am also looking to for someone to make some clothes for my new line. And Im also looking to have my first show later in the year. I would also like to attend the next tour. When is it?
Hi Sherece!
The next Chicago Manufacturing Tour will be in March. I will post it to my website as soon as I know the date.
Hello Jane,
I read your article “Chicago Manufacturing Tour: Helping clothing designers find sewing contractors.” It was a very interesting and and inspiring.
I’m having some trouble finding sewing contractors / manufacturers in the Chicagoland area and I would love to get the names & addresses of the establishments you visited in your article.
Your help would be extremely helpful and most appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Danny
I’m having some trouble finding sewing contractors / manufacturers in the Chicagoland area and I would love to get the names & addresses of the establishments you visited in your article.
Please help. Any info would be appreciated,
Nathalie
Im trying to get a custom glove sewn for my inventon im having a hard time finding someone to do that for me could you recommend someone looking right now just for a prototype also im looking for someone to sew a body harness for me with webbing material the design is simple i would appericate any suggestions thanks
Hi Isaac,
We (at Fashion Brain) do not recommend specific manufacturers (except I guess technically you could say we do when someone comes on the tour) but you can contact V.Mora (www.vmora.com) or Boaz David (wwww.humanb.com).
Hi, is the tour limited to clothing manufacturers? I’m interested in an accessory line and I was wondering if there were any good manufactures in the Chicago area. I’d like to keep the manufacturing business in Chicago.
Thanks!
Lotta
Do you have a March date set? What is the registration cost? I live in the SW ‘burbs of Chicago.
Hey! I have a children’s clothing company and already have a production company but am looking for another! The one I use is limited to about 1000 items per week. I’d like to do about 2000-3000 per week. Know of anyone? Thanks!!
Hi Jane,
I would like to know when the next Chicago manufacturing tour will be or if you can provide me with information on some manufacturing companies and pattern makers in Chicago. Thank you
Hello, I’m a new business owner looking to add childrens clothing. Im in need of excellent sewing contractors. Can you help? In in Atlanta ga. Thank you.
Hi Charles,
At Fashion Brain, we do not work with clients on specific manufacturing issues (we focus more on other business aspects like sales and marketing and overall business startup and planning) but we can give you a recommendation of another consultant who could help. Just email is at brain at fashion brain academy dot com. Thanks!
hello, i am a young college student who has been in entertainment for a while and as of last year i started printing up my own designs that kind of gave a visual representation of the life that i live and that of the average college student. i went into taking orders and printing up shirts with 2 specific designs a simple one and a more detailed one. I am having trouble with maximizing profit and manufacturing my product. so i was wondering if there is any advice you could give me to help me with my venture. i have many different networks that i have tapped into due to the many people I know and the type of events i have done.
hi i am looking for a contracter to sew some desinger jeans for me can you help.
Jane,
My business partner and I are looking for clothing manufacturers in Chicago, as we are trying to expand and try out some new things. We could use your help. We are both college students (DePaulUniversity and Columbia College) and our funds are limited but are still make it work. Here is a link to our instagram page as our site is under construction. http://instagram.com/yellowbill_knits
Thank you
Joel A.
Hi,
I am looking for a low cost sewing contractor in the Chicago area to help with my recent patent pending invention product, any suggestions? I schedule to meet with investors and need to have a polished product to present.
HELP!!!
Thanks
We are in the process of designing and printing on our own materials. We are looking to outsource the cut and sew portion of the business. We are north of chicago. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You, Tommy
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I am in search of a clothing manufacturer in / around Chicago that I can use to copy a clothing item I have in mind- I have the patter and a sample- I just need a manufacturer that can give me a sample and then in mass production. Could you please give me a few I can Contact? Thank you.
My son has started a clothing line we are looking for a good contractor . Can you help?
Are you all still conducting tours for 2015?
Hi,
I am Farley new to the fashion industry and I’m starting my own clothing line I’m looking for a manufacture to help make my clothes. i would like to see what can you guys do to help me .I am located in the Chicago area so it would be easy for me to visit the manufactured if needed too.
Thanks 🙂
Hi, We are trying to find a manufacturer for our product line, which we are just starting. We live in Louisville, Ky. Could you call me to advise me if possible?? Thanks so much! Maryi
Hi Mary,
Congrats on starting your business. We offer a private One-Time Private Coaching Session (or VIP Day) for those who want one-on-one guidance. You can find the info here: https://fashionbrainacademy.com/coaching/private-coaching/. If you have a question about how we can help you, please just reach out to my team at brain@wordpress-284020-2736534.cloudwaysapps.com. Thanks!
-Jane
Wld love to commect
I have been in the custom business for many years..I wld like to transition to retail..small scale.. Wld like to keep the work in Chicago