Events & Seminars SF '26
Product Development & Costing
Sunday at 11AM, November 8, 2026
What to consider BEFORE you get started including how to obtain the first prototypes cost effectively, and when to have additional samples made. Understand the costs of goods sold compared to retail prices, and what is included in “overhead” for brick-and-mortar as well as online sellers.
Fabric Sourcing & Inspection
Sunday at 2PM, November 8, 2026
Fabric is the biggest expense you face in the garment industry. Finding quality fabric is critical. Streamline your fabric sourcing efforts and navigate the fabric show efficiently and with confidence. Covers fabric sourcing, organizing, inventory and storage, as well as quality assurance with industry standard 4-Point Fabric Inspection.
Day 2, Monday Seminars
Reducing Fabric Waste
Monday 10:30AM, November 9, 2026
How to order markers for maximum utilization of fabric, directional fabrics, stripe & plaid matching, cut ratios, etc. How to determine your pattern & marker are complete so that you can approve with confidence.
All seminars are scheduled for approximately 1 hour. Attendees are invited to the show floor to continue the conversation - Join Us!
Domestic vs Offshore Production
Monday at 1:30PM, November 9, 2026
What direction is manufacturing going – USA or Offshore? Explore how local and global production is changing based on current events. Understand the differences in capabilities including sourcing, labor & materials, and minimums. We will also discuss the ever-changing shipping & customs regulations, trade agreements, and duties vs tariffs.
REGISTER TO ATTEND THE 2-DAY FREE SEMINAR PROGRAM
Pre-Show Activities - November 6 & 7
In addition to the Free Seminar Program, during our 2-day show, there will be two educational opportunities offered by Bay Area Production Pros - Lana Hogue and Julian Prince Dash. Use the links provided below to register for the events on Friday and Saturday. There are fees to participate. Sessions have limited participation and you should register early to secure a space. NO Drop Ins - preregister to attend!
Factory Tour
Friday, November 6
Factory Tour & Industrial Stitch Types
Presented by Lana Hogue
10am – 3pm (Lunch break from 12 – 1pm)
Where: Starting at Holy Stitch Factory Fellowship, 1059 Market Street, San Francisco 94103
10am to 12noon - Learn about the different stitch types used in commercial sewing, including the correct stitch names. Discover best uses, limitations, the effect on pricing & quality, as well as local & off-shore availability. Swatches and glossary are provided. THIS IS NOT A SEWING CLASS - No sewing experience is needed.
1pm - 3pm After a lunch break, you will be guided on a tour of two sewing factories - knits & wovens, and denim specialty factories. You will have a rare behind-the-scenes view of local industrial sewing. Your guide is an industry expert and veteran that will educate you on the manufacturing process from beginning to end. You'll also hear some of the fascinating history of sewing in San Francisco. Attendance is limited to 20 participants. Reserve Space Now! Cost: $150. Tickets at Eventbrite
Screenprint & Embroidery Demo
Saturday, November 7
Screenprint & Embroidery Demonstration
Presenters: Lana Hogue, Julian Prince Dash
10am – 12:30pm
Where: Holy Stitch Factory Fellowship, 1059 Market Street, San Francisco 94103
Explore your apparel production options in applied artwork with this expert led demonstration and discussion.
You will learn:
• Requirements of initial artwork
• Interpretation of artwork for screen print or embroidery
• Each process explained
• Machinery demonstrated
• Understanding associated costs
• Design options and maximizing perceived value
• Artwork combinations – achieving a high-quality professional look
NOTE: Tour is limited to only 30 participants and fills up quickly! Pre-registration is required. NO DROP INS
Cost: $60 – Tickets at Eventbrite
About - Julian Prince Dash
DASH is the founder of Holy Stitch Factory Fellowship, a non-profit sewing school and mentorship program in San Francisco, CA. Holy Stitch! Provides underserved youth with learning opportunities, especially in denim, while offering custom and alteration services. Julian has consulted and/or produced for some of the largest denim, fashion, sportswear and tech brands while providing award-winning and museum-quality garments to the world's stylish politicians, athletes, entertainers, museums, artists and beyond. Learn more about Holy Stitch Factory
About - Lana Hogue
LANA HOGUE has worked in garment manufacturing for over 35 years and is brain trust of Garment Industry 411 course series for ethical apparel manufacturing. With extensive experience in production & operations both in the U.S. and offshore including Asia, Mexico & Central America, South America, and Caribbean Basin. Lana has worked as an employee or a consultant to hundreds of companies from start-ups to $400 Million in sales. Her unique perspective will help you understand how to thrive in the world of manufacturing and maximize your return on investment.
Read More About Lana and Garment Industry 411
Past Event at the NYFS
Handbag & Accessory Manufacturing with Nicole Levy How the sample/ production process works in NYC and overseas
Presented by Nicole Levy - Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 1 PM
Nicole Levy has been developing handbags and accessories for startups and existing brands. She is the owner of Baikal Handbags, a luxury handbag manufacturing company in New York's Garment Center. Nicole enjoys taking an idea and working with designers to create a product that meets or exceeds their vision. She has experience taking brands from start to expansion such as Rebecca Minkoff, MCM, etc.
Whether you are just starting out with an idea, an emerging designer, or a well-known brand - Nicole has valuable insights to share on the bag making process both domestically and overseas. From your idea to a small run, to larger runs-- Nicole will take you through the process and the differences of working locally in NY vs overseas. The session will leave you feeling more confident in moving forward with sampling or production of your ideas.
Nicole Levy
Nicole Levy
Past Presentations - Dallas 2025
Source Success
Presented by Jenny Seide
10 AM on Tuesday, October 28
Learn how to select materials with purpose and maximize your investment from concept to production!
BIO: Jenny Seide is Founder of In Style Exchange and the Neurowēv™ AI Framework, She streamlines the path from design to production. Siede’s “concept-to-product” process connects creativity with manufacturing – while her focus: turning original ideas into market-ready products is executed with clarity and efficiency.
REGISTER TO ATTEND THE 2-DAY SEMINAR PROGRAM
The Reshoring Advantage
Presenter: Farah Mustafa
Tuesday at 2:00 PM, October 28
This presentation explores the rising benefits of bringing apparel manufacturing back to the United States. It highlights the impact of tariffs, supply chain risk, and consumer demand for transparency, while comparing domestic and overseas production strengths. Through a balanced “hybrid model” approach, attendees will learn how reshoring can enhance speed-to-market, storytelling power, and long-term business resilience.
BIO Farah Mustafa is an Account Manager at Stitch Texas specializes in apparel and non-apparel product design and development. Farah oversees client projects from concept to completion, managing the full development process with a focus on material sourcing, production coordination, and clear communication between clients and internal teams. She works closely with the patterning and sewing departments to ensure each design meets quality standards and client expectations. Stitch Texas
Small Batch Production - Do's & Don'ts
Presented by Calley Andrews, Sew Studio Texas
Noon on Wednesday, October 29
In this session, Calley discusses what you need to know about small lot production. She will point out do's and don'ts to ensure your garment/product is produced to your specifications.
BIO: Calley Andrews founded Sew Studio, LLC in 2019 a product development and small batch manufacturing facility located in San Antonio, TX. Her goal is to assist small to mid-sized brands design and launch new products in the market. Sew Studio services include consulting, design, product development, production assessments, patterning, sampling, grading and through small batch production.while educating them to prepare for continued growth beyond Sew Studio Texas
REGISTER TO ATTEND THE 2-DAY SEMINAR PROGRAM
Past EVENTS - January 12, 2026
MONDAY, January 12 - The Manufacturing Tour
Anna Livermore of V.Mora and Jane Hamill of Fashion Brain Academy are offering a New York Factory Tour. The tour is on Monday morning, prior to the show opening. The tour ends with a walk-through of the New York Fabric Show.
Dive Into NYC’s Garment District with Anna & Jane!
Get insider access to factories and vendors at this exclusive New York tour.
What you’ll experience:
Behind-the-scenes access to top NYC factories.
Expert advice on production, sourcing, and your brand.
Vendor introductions and networking opportunities at the New York Fabric Show
Monday, Jan '26 from 9:00 to 11 Benefiting from AI Opportunities to Grow Your Brand
Hosted by The Brooklyn Fashion Incubator.
at the New York Fabric Show
Presented by VIRTU 3D
Founders Alexis Kantor and Bret Rossman will provide information on their end-to-end, AI-powered product creation platform.
Learn how to streamline your collection utilizing AI.
No fee - by invitation
Workshop Sessions at the NYFS
Pricing and Profit Margins for 2025
Presented by Jane Hamill - Monday, July 14 at 3:00 PM
Consumer behavior is changing, manufacturing costs are changing, and your company's pricing strategy needs to keep up. How do you price to stay competitive, get consistent sales, and still be profitable? That's what we'll cover in this interactive, small group Workshop (come ready to participate, not just listen). We'll do a Pricing "Hotseat " where one lucky attendee's real-life cost sheet will be reviewed by Jane LIVE during the workshop, line-by-line. You'll also learn the biggest pricing mistake emerging designers, how to avoid it and how to deal with pricing fear and the worry that "if I price it too high, nobody will buy". Note: All workshop registrants will get a handout of the Hotseat example and we'll send info on how to apply to be chosen for the Pricing Hotseat a few days before the event.
Seating is limited - REGISTER
Production Costing - What does it costs to produce in China, Europe, Latin America, and the USA?
Presented by Anna Livermore - Monday 5:00 PM & Tuesday at 3 PM
In this workshop,Anna will do a side-by-side comparison of the current cost breakdowns to produce the same product in different areas of the world, including current tariffs to consider, minimum quantities needed, and other "hidden" costs of manufacturing. She'll show you everything and this is the most updated info on producing products for the rest of 2025! She'll even do a live Manufacturing Hotseat using one lucky attendee's specific product (you can apply for this opportunity after you register). What does the same garment cost to produce in different areas of the world? What are the pros and cons of each? This is your chance to find out. Space is limited and you must show up live to be eligible for the Hotseat.
Seating is limited - REGISTER
Luxury Handbag Manufacturing with Nicole Levy - How the sample/ production process works in NYC and overseas
Presented by Nicole Levy - Tuesday, July 15 at 1 PM
Nicole Levy has been developing handbags and accessories for startups and existing brands. She is the owner of Baikal Handbags, a luxury handbag manufacturing company in New York's Garment Center. Nicole enjoys taking an idea and working with designers to create a product that meets or exceeds their vision. She has experience taking brands from start to expansion such as Rebecca Minkoff, MCM, etc.
Whether you are just starting out with an idea, an emerging designer, or a well-known brand - Nicole has valuable insights to share on the bag making process both domestically and overseas. From your idea to a small run, to larger runs-- Nicole will take you through the process and the differences of working locally in NY vs overseas. The session will leave you feeling more confident in moving forward with sampling or production of your ideas.
Seating is limited - REGISTER TO ATTEND
Visit the Resource Center
Questions? Get Answers at the AboutSources Resource Center you will find information on exhibiting companies and who may best provide the product or service you are seeking.
The Fabric Shows provide a welcoming environment for attendees. We suggest you read our Attendee Info page for suggestions on walking the show floor gathering information and who is welcome to attend!