About half of ASDP members belong to a local chapter, which offers them an opportunity to participate in regular meetings with people in their area involved in various sewing and design professions. Chapters are affiliates of ASDP, and benefit from the groundwork the governance board has done to obtain tax exempt status in the United States. There is no requirement that a new member belong to a chapter, but participation is encouraged if there is one within a reasonable distance. Most members who take part in chapter events find their membership and businesses are enriched through the opportunities to learn from and interact with other members in person, and chapters offer these opportunities more frequently.

There are currently five (5) local Association chapters serve members across the United States. Chapters meet regularly for activities ranging from visits to hard-to-access museum backrooms to local seminars with experts such as Kenneth King, Helen Joseph Armstrong, Susan Khalje, the late Claire Shaeffer and Fred Bloebaum, and others. Visitors are welcome at most chapter meetings (a nominal fee may be charged).