Xochil - The Chicago Pattern Maker Logo
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About Xochil Herrera

Professional product development, pattern making and fashion design services for brands and businesses throughout the US, based in the Chicago area.

Xochil Herrera fitting a gown in her studio

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
SEAMS logo

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."

Advanced Textiles Association logo

Member of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) since 2024, representing advanced, specialty and technical textiles from fiber and fabric to end products.

Apparel Industry Board Inc logo

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.

Chicago FGI logo

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.

SPESA logo

Supporter, Friend, and Unofficial President of the SPESA Fan Club.

Bobbin Around podcast logo

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

Meet the Team

Melissa Petersen

Melissa Petersen

Melissa Petersen has been working as a Technical Design Assistant at the Chicago Pattern Maker since 2023. 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 after graduation 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, working closely with an international team each season to produce this and many other garment component product collections.

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 a technical design assistant, creating technical flats and putting together tech packs, sewing prototypes, and working through fit revisions to make sure each product fits exactly as it should. She is enthusiastic to work for TCPM and loves being able to utilize her talents and skills while working with clients to help them bring their product ideas to life.

Violet Velazquez

Violet Velazquez

Violet Velazquez is a Chicago-based designer whose work bridges technical craftsmanship and artistic storytelling. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and a minor in Business.

Violet currently works as a design assistant at the Chicago Pattern Maker, where she contributes to product development across multiple stages of the design process. Her work includes developing technical sketches, sourcing materials, and assisting in sample creation, allowing her to refine both her technical expertise and understanding of garment construction.

In addition to her technical work, Violet has gained experience behind the scenes at major fashion events, assisting designer Emily Sifrit of Ekaye Collection during New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week. During these shows, she supported model fittings, dressed models backstage on show days, and assisted with sewing final garment details to ensure each look was runway-ready.

At the core of Violet’s practice is the belief that fashion is a powerful form of personal expression. She views clothing as an art form we live our lives in, capable of shaping identity, confidence, and imagination. Inspired by music, creative culture, and the world around her, Violet approaches design as a space where storytelling and craftsmanship meet.

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