dig deeper: the isaic blog

Members of the ISAIC team traveled to Ironwood, Michigan, to deliver Business Leadership Training to Jacquart Fabric Products—the company behind the iconic Stormy Kromer brand. This case study explores the objectives, conclusion, and client testimonials of why this was a valuable investment for their team.

This month, ISAIC Training & Innovation Project Manager Cassie Franklin returned to Philadelphia to continue an exciting collaboration with Drexel University's Center for Functional Fabrics.

Last month, two of ISAIC’s team members attended the 2026 National Gathering hosted by Mechanism, centered around the theme, “Imagining the Future of Local Production.”

The gathering brought together makers, manufacturers, policymakers, educators, artists, faith organizations, community leaders, and entrepreneurs to explore what’s possible when production is rooted in community, care, and shared stewardship.

The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), has joined the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, a global platform fostering collaboration, innovation, and transparency across the fashion and lifestyle industries. 

College for Creative Studies senior, Maxwell Honeycutt, utilized ISAIC’s advanced technology to create pieces for his senior thesis project, Sabiħ Máti, blending his Maltese and Greek heritage by incorporating three sacred crafts—mosaic, lace making, and macramé—through his own lens in a more technically innovative way.

The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) welcomed industry leaders, innovators, and community members to its fourth annual ISAIC Honors Award Ceremony on April 23, marking a defining moment in the organization’s growth.

Held in ISAIC’s newly expanded home at the College for Creative Studies’ A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, the evening celebrated both a physical expansion and the people driving meaningful change across the apparel and textile industry.

PCIAW® (The Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide) has welcomed ISAIC as a new member, marking an exciting step forward in advancing innovation, sustainability, and upskilling across the global industry.

ISAIC’s VP of Manufacturing and Innovation, Lionel Vargas Cruz, recently attended a workshop focused on developing a roadmap for automation in U.S. textile manufacturing.

ISAIC Research and Innovation Manager Alex Stcheckine recently spoke on a panel at Knit FUTURES, a symposium hosted by Kent State University’s School of Fashion.

The event was designed to energize the advancement of knitting across disciplines—supporting people, the environment, and place—while bringing together researchers from both academia and industry for conversation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.

ISAIC President & CEO Jennifer Guarino recently spoke on a panel at the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) Executive Summit.

The two-day, in-person event brought together senior-level executives from retail, apparel, footwear, and fashion accessory brands from across the U.S. and around the globe for thoughtful dialogue on the forces shaping the industry.