Xochil Herrera provides professional product development, pattern making and fashion design services to brand clients and businesses throughout the US, and is based in the Chicago area.
The Chicago Pattern Maker was founded in 2009, and collaborates with brands and factory partners, bringing technical expertise, guidance, and genuine care to the pre-production process of technical design, pattern development, and prototyping.
As an analytic creative, Xochil works hard to create beautiful and functional products ready for market. Xochil is a detail oriented, results driven task master, and enjoys the technical creation process, making products come to life through strategic sourcing and prototyping with a "design to manufacture" approach.
Xochil has collaborated with numerous brands and designers to bring their concepts from idea 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, Xochil and the TCPM team work across multiple apparel categories, from contemporary "ready-to-wear" to more complex technical pieces including outerwear, functional workwear, plus size or extended sizing, and soft goods accessories. She has extensive experience in athletic active wear and performance apparel for men and women, including swim 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 serve as Board Member for the SEAMS Association, where she writes the bi-monthly column, "The X-Files". She loves to be involved in the local and domestic fashion and manufacturing community through experiences, events and professional development. She is very passionate about Made in USA and ethically sourced products and manufacturing.
Xochil's work and industry contributions have been featured in: E-Textile Communications, Just Style, Textile World, 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; and was presented with the Sarah Friedman "Person of the Year" award by SEAMS in 2024.
Highlights
CAD Pattern Maker
Professional digital pattern making using Tukatech pattern software, Xochil Inc. is also a TUKACenter. Files are DXF Compatible, and can be exported/printed as needed.
Active in the Fashion Community
Serves on the Executive Board (elected 2025), and Board Member (2024-present), member since 2019, for SEAMS Association, the voice of the US sewn products industry, leading the Made in America movement. Featured author for bi-monthly newsletter and blog series, "The X-Files."
Member of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) since 2024, representing advanced, speciality and technical textiles from fiber and fabric to end products.
Serves on the Executive Board as Secretary (2021-present) for the Apparel Industry Board Inc. (AIBI). Board Member since 2019; member since 2007. Advancing industry education and resources for fashion professionals in Illinois.
Former Regional Director (2017-2018) and Board Member (2014-2016) for The Fashion Group International of Chicago (FGI), joined 2007. Planned event programming for fashion industry professionals. Lead social and digital communications.
Supporter, Friend, and Unofficial President of the SPESA Fan Club.
Co-Host of the Bobbin Around podcast.
Public Speaker + Educator
Regularly attends and participates in industry trade shows and conferences as a speaker, moderator, and educational advisor. Partner with Messe Frankfurt shows since 2022 for Texprocess Americas and Techtextil North America.
Leads presentations and workshops on topics including pattern making, technical design, industrial sewing and marketing for the textile industry.
Additional speaker appearances: SEAMS Association conferences, The Fabric Shows, AIBI, FGI, Threaded Co., Creative Chicago Expo, Chicago Textile Expo, as well as numerous schools and small groups. Xochil is an experienced podcast guest and loves to talk shop on any industry topic.
Adjunct Professor of Instruction at Columbia College Chicago in the Fashion Studies Department (2020-2025). Co-taught the senior capstone experience course. Created curriculum and led Introduction to Industrial Sewing workshops, teaching students with zero sewing experience to feel comfortable and confident with sewing and industrial equipment, increasing the success rate of students in Pattern and Construction I by over 30%.
On-Set Tailor
Tailors looks on-set for photo/video shoots for magazines including Men's Health, InStyle, and Ebony; and companies including Kohl's, Land's End, Trunk Club, Nike, Schawk! and others. Represented by Distinct Artists. Trusted for celebrity, editorial, and e-commerce alike.
Certificate: Union Special
Completed Union Special class to learn sewing machine maintenance, basic mechanics and trouble shooting for a variety of machines including: Single Needle Lockstitch, Overlock, Coverstitch, Flatseam ("Flatlock"), Bar Tack
