About Xochil Herrera Scheer: The Chicago Pattern Maker

Xochil Herrera Scheer provides professional pattern making and fashion design services to businesses and individuals in the Chicago area, and remotely to clients throughout the US.

Xochil made Chicago her home in 2003, moving from her hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. She has a BFA in Fashion Design from The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago, and graduate degree in entrepreneurship from DeVry University. Xochil is a detail oriented, results driven task master, and enjoys the analytic side of fashion, making products come to life through strategic sourcing and technical details.

Xochil has worked with numerous brands and designers to bring their concepts from sketch to reality. She has a strong skill set in technical design, pattern making, material sourcing and prototype development with production in mind. She has a keen understanding of the manufacturing process through working with various factories, training and using industrial equipment, and being closely involved with clients throughout product development. Her background in tailoring and being a lifelong sewer has helped shape her skills in garment fit and construction techniques.

Specializing in pattern making for both knit and woven materials, she enjoys working in the contemporary "ready-to-wear" market (and loves a good blazer), as well as more complex technical pieces including outerwear and workwear. She has extensive experience in athletic activewear and performance apparel for men and women, including swimwear and undergarments. Xochil enjoys learning about innovative materials and applying them to new designs. 

Xochil is currently serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Apparel Industry Board Inc. (AIBI), and is proud to be a Board Member of the SEAMS Association, where she contributes as a writer for a bi-monthly column called "X-Files". She loves being involved in the local and domestic fashion community through promoting experiences, events and professional development. She is also passionate about Made in USA and ethical products, sourcing and manufacturing.

Xochil's work has been featured in: E-Textile Communications, Chicago SPLASH, BRAVA Magazine, Chicago Sun Times, MODA Fashion Gazette, New City Chicago. Xochil was also included in a segment on the ABC 7 Chicago show, 190 North. She was honored to be named a Rising Star by SPESA in 2021.

Melissa Petersen

Melissa Petersen is a Design Assistant at the Chicago Pattern Maker. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and a minor in Business.

Her senior thesis collection focused on textile prints and embellishment, which helped her land a role working as a designer for a textile and garment components company after graduation. While in this position, she designed and coordinated the company's bi-annual print collections and was involved with all steps of the process, from initial ideas and designs, all the way to production and distribution. She also was added as a member of the marketing team, and managed the company website and digital showroom, social media, and the design and creation of marketing materials for the company's products. She worked closely with the global sales team to make sure that they were well-equipped with any and all samples and materials that they needed.

Melissa has also previously worked in various positions as a seamstress, as well as interned for several Chicago-based clothing designers. She has been sewing since she was 14 years old, and her experience with and knowledge of garment construction greatly helps her in her current position as design assistant working on tech packs and creating technical flats. She is enthusiastic to now work for TCPM and is glad to be contributing her talents and skills to the company.

Violet Velazquez

Violet Velazquez is a Designer Assistant at the Chicago Pattern Maker. She attended Columbia College Chicago, where she graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design and a minor in business. Violet’s love for fashion is rooted in her belief that clothing can elevate and transform a person’s sense of self. She views fashion as an art form that we get to create our lives in and uses this perspective as the foundation for her work.

Before venturing into fashion design, Violet built valuable experience as a Retail Manager for Dr. Martens. In this position she developed a keen understanding of retail operations, customer service, and visual merchandising. Her ability to manage inventory, lead a team, and create an engaging shopping experience significantly contributed to the store’s success. This role enhanced her understanding of consumer behavior and the importance of brand identity, skills that she seamlessly integrated into her design work.

In addition to her experience in retail management, Violet has a background as a Costume Designer. Her ability to merge creativity with functionality has allowed her to design unique costumes for touring musicians, ensuring that each piece not only enhances the performers' stage presence but also aligns with the overall narrative of their show. Violet’s collaborations also extend to theater and film, where she has worked closely with directors, production teams, and actors to develop costumes that are integral to character development and storytelling, further highlighting her versatility and creativity in the fashion industry.