By Amanda Jacobs

Clothing manufacturing has gone through quite a change in the past 25 years. Due to trade liberalization policies in the 1990’s, including NAFTA-North American Free Trade Agreement, most of the import restrictions and duties on foreign made clothing were retracted. American retailers became very interested in turning to suppliers in the global south for all manufacturing needs. The reason companies choose to produce outside the US is due to the high production costs they encounter. Lower labor costs, material sourcing and countries specialties are all alluring reasons when it comes to the bottom line. There are consequently negative effects of producing overseas.

The environmental impact is vast. Lands are stripped of their nutrients, waterways being poisoned and natural resources are depleting each day. Human capital is a very important part of the manufacturing process as well. Skilled laborers sewing garments are often overlooked and severely underpaid. 

Many manufacturers have adopted a transparency model in which they share all of their practices to ensure they are abiding by regulations, procedures and leaving a low carbon footprint. While other manufacturers are not willing to show the true cost of what is happening in their facility. With little help to enforce rules and regulations, what can we do as consumers and fashion enthusiasts to aid in the effort?

Support businesses and manufacturers located within the US as well as locally within your own community, so that you can begin to evolve the purchasing power to demand change. There is one facility that is making big strides to ensure the future of the fashion industry. FABRIC, The Fashion and Business Resource Innovation Center, located right here in Tempe, AZ is bringing manufacturing back. 

FABRIC is a zero waste, small batch sustainable manufacturing facility that strives to assist designers and brands in all facets of their process and will now offer Industrial Sewing courses to help increase the amount of skilled laborers within the industry. Angela Johnson, Co-Founder of FABRIC Incubator explains, “At FABRIC, our mission is to support the growth of sustainable fashion by empowering apparel entrepreneurs, brands, and manufacturers with innovative tools, knowledge, and local resources. Our new industrial sewing certification and apprenticeship program is a pivotal step towards realizing our vision of “new-shoring” the fashion industry. By providing comprehensive training and hands-on experience, we are building a skilled workforce that can drive local manufacturing and sustainable practices.” 

The industrial sewing and apprentice certification program is just the beginning of what is needed to help bring back manufacturing into the US. The program is a comprehensive 200 hour course designed to create industrial sewers that can be hired in a multitude of facilities. A partnership with ISAIC- Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, a Detroit-based 501c3 nonprofit, Fabric is committed to provide a positive impact through responsible production of high-quality garments and create solutions centered around people, education, advanced manufacturing and upward mobility for workers.

Revitalizing clothing manufacturing in the US through industrial sewing certification programs and sustainable facilities represents more than just a return to domestic production-it’s a step toward creating a resilient eco-friendly industry that values craftsmanship and community. By investing in these initiatives, it can empower a new generation of skilled workers, reduce our environmental impact, and strengthen the local economy. The future is a combination of quality, sustainability, and innovation and it will create a thriving homegrown apparel industry that can stand as a model for the world.