Kathleen Crowley Costume Couture

06/15/2025

No Kings, Benicia Ca. It was a wonderful Day!

06/14/2025

Just finished patching up an old tattered flag to wave in the face of tyranny today. Be safe. Be peaceful even if it is extremely hard to do so. Resist.

05/27/2025

Making a black denim coat this weekend based off of one of my old 70’s patterns. I graded it up but then had to take it in a bit because I forgot about the big seam allowance. I’ll try finishing it this evening. My buttonholes aren’t perfect, but pretty good for not having made one in forever. I also altered a lot of my clothing and finished a long denim skirt. Feeling like I’m actually getting things done.

05/19/2025

After three days of not feeling well and going down the threads rabbit hole with nuthin to do, I am formally done with much of the human race and I welcome peacefull nights sitting out with my former foes; the critters. I choose the bear.

05/17/2025

05/05/2025

Had a lovely backstage SF Ballet gig for a week. Even got glimpses of sunlight now and then! Having a decompression day and then back to tackling my backyard jungle and the making of the things!

05/01/2025

Working at the SF Ballet this week. Frankenstein.

04/23/2025

It's so fun to open up an old pattern and find something tucked away by its former owner! Bay Area: Marin County. 1972. Im making myself a black denim coat from fabric that I foraged for in LA. I'll also use buttons that I found there as well. Im using this pattern as a base and adding a bit more flair to the skirt. It's a nice old school heavy weight cotton denim with no spandex in it. The fabric is a little stiff at first, but will hold up well and ease up the more I wear it. Im making jeans and a skirt from this fabric as well. And they could last me a good 20 years if I should live that long! Will post more as I sew more!

04/21/2025

Happy belated fertility day everyone! Furiously making hay while the sun shines before I go back to a show - or something! Sewing, quilting, apocalyptical gardening….all the things!

04/11/2025

Took a little drive to LA to do some fabric shopping, started feeling not so good but circled the area a few times. Just didn’t have the energy to go everywhere and dig and hunt and search, esp since so much of it and the like I had already seen in San Jose. Same prices. But I used my spidey sense and watched the street shoppers. I followed the real shoppers and industry peeps who led me to where I needed to go. So I basically got a few things I needed and I’ll leave it for another day when Ive got more energy.
I will say, there is still plenty to feast your eyes on and do more projects with! Yes, you can get so much online these days, but you can’t feel it and pictures don’t tell you everything. I bought a beautiful piece of black yardage with a perfect drape that I would never have considered purchasing online.
My newish car, Lola, did great on the trip and I have every confidence that we’ll be making the trip again soon! I really need to dig and search for the treasures.

04/09/2025

Not sure if spending money on fabric is the best idea right now…..but with the lack of fabric stores, high tariffs, and supplies disappearing, maybe it is. Well that’s what I’m doing. Starting my fabric hunt journey today for stuff I need, I want, I have to have. It’s like a mini vacation. Wish me luck.
This is Fabrics R Us in San Jose. Lots of knits, some cottons, a bit of this and a lot of that. Super cheap. Please don’t go in thinking this is a run of the mill the customer is king type of establishment. Be patient. Be pleasant. Know your fabrics. Don’t expect preferential treatment. Don’t expect them to have what you want. But you might find something better. If they like you or you buy a large amount of yardage, they might cut you a deal. They might hate you. Not for princesses. I love these people. .