Jessica Cronin joins us for a rich conversation about costume design, personal identity, and the power of clothing as communication. From her early sewing inspirations to navigating scoliosis surgery as a young dancer, Jessica’s journey is layered with resilience and creativity. She breaks down historical sewing techniques, the complexities of fast fashion, and the less-glamorous realities behind costume work—while sharing stories from her expansive portfolio across film, television, and theater. Jessica also explores why younger generations may be stepping away from craft traditions, how mobility influences her career, and what she’s dreaming up next. Her thoughtful reflections invite listeners to see clothing not only as adornment, but as narrative.
In this episode of Sew & So we welcome costume designer and wardrobe freelancer Jessica Cronin, whose work spans film, television, theater, and fashion. Raised across the U.S., Singapore, and England, Jessica brings a globally shaped perspective to the way clothing communicates who we are. With a BA in Art History from Drew University and an MFA in Costume Design from Carnegie Mellon University, she has built a dynamic career designing, styling, and crafting for productions including Gotham Knights, Dead to Me, A League of Their Own (2022), and Gossip Girl. Her experience ranges from large-scale studio work to theatrical design to commercial styling, and she moves fluidly between New York City, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles.
In this episode, Jessica shares the origins of her sewing journey, how global experiences shaped her artistic lens, the truth about fast fashion, the realities of costume work, and the deeper meaning of how we present ourselves through what we wear.
Episode Notes:
(1:49) When did Jessica begin to sew and who was her inspiration?
(3:18) Jessica explains historical sewing and its techniques.
(4:00) Why did Jessica’s childhood take her to Singapore and England? How did living in these countries affect her perceptions of life and her work?
(5:45) She started dancing at the age of three…then had to have Harrington Rod surgery for scoliosis of the spine. She takes us through this experience and how she dealt with the major changes in her life both in activity and mentally.
(11:04) Jessica calls fast fashion “horrendous”? She explains why.
(14:00) How do you handle the recycling in things like undergarments, socks and hard to recycle clothing items?
(15:30) “Costume design isn’t just pretty dreams and pretty people…” It’s so very much more. Jessica takes us inside the craft.
(19:54) Of all the different types of work Jessica has done…what’s her favorite?
(21:42) She talks about the difference in working with professional actors vs. amateur background actors.
(23:45) Hear special stories about some of her costume jobs.
(27:10) Jessica worked with Jennifer May Nickel Sew & So Podcast Episode #92 she talks about how they met and have worked together.
(28:25) Hear about the 50,000-year-old sewing needle and how this information affects Jessica in her work.
(30:36) Jessica loves to study how people communicate through clothing. Learn what she’s discovered. Also learn why the color purple is associated with royalty.
(33:32) Why does she think the younger generations aren’t picking up these crafts or techniques?
(36:30) Why is Jessica so mobile?
(37:36) What does she like to do in her spare time?
(38:10) What is she working on now and what is a Surrealist Ball?
(40:00) What’s next for her and what’s her dream?
(42:15) What didn’t we ask?
(43:06) Want to contact Jessica? @jesscronindesigns