But it has only been in the past two years or so that the combination of computing and networking technologies became inexpensive enough to be cost-effective on industrial sewing machines.

WSJ: Sewing Machines Go High-Tech

At Century's Standard Textile factory, a partnership with the Israeli textile company Delta Galil, 300 women sit at industrial sewing machines making 14, 000 panties and undershirts a day for major U.S. brands, including Victoria's Secret and J.

FORBES: Issues & Ideas

The independently owned hotel with 197 rooms describes its style as "industrial chic" with furnishings related to its history, such as desks inspired by vintage sewing machines and coffee tables that resemble old factory carts.

WSJ: NYC's new Refinery Hotel draws on hat factory past