I am a professional costume technician with experience as a Draper, First Hand, Stitcher, and Tailor. Recent work includes, freelance stitcher for Hen House Hats & Brass Rooster Hat Co. in Milwaukee, WI and freelance sewing tailor for the off-Broadway production of Trevor: A New Musical.

I was with the Milwauke Repertory Theater Costume Shop for twenty-two years (1998 - 2020) where I worked as a stitcher, first hand, draper, and tailor. A highlight of my tenure with that company was the Stitching History from the Holocaust collaboration with Jewish Museum Milwaukee. I served as Costume Shop project manager and also worked as a draper, first hand, stitcher, and tailor on that project. I have also done work for Writers' Theatre, The Guthrie Theater, The Goodman Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, The Milwaukee Ballet, American Players Theatre, Optimist Theatre, Virginia Opera, and Renaissance Entertainment Productions - Bristol Renaissance Faire.

In addition to my costume background in the world of professional theatre I have experience with industrial and production sewing; including, but not limited to, stitching Naugahyde and vinyl seat covers, nylon golf bags, American flags and other large banner type items for Jonco Industries in Milwaukee, WI.

Historical fashion and clothing are two of my passions. I am a collector of vintage clothing and accessories, antique and vintage books, manuals, and ephemera relating to the needle crafts, tailoring, sewing, and fashion. I am involved in living history as a member of WW2 USO Preservation Association and am a member of the WWII Historical Re-Enactment Society, Inc. and the Warbirds Living History Group. I am a knitter, I enjoy gardening, I am an EAA member and aviation aficionado, I am a mini bike enthusiast, I like vintage camping, I am an amateur/hobbyist photographer, and I also collect and love using vintage film cameras.

All original photographs are copyright Jessica Hartman Jaeger, please do not use them without my permission. If you would like to use one of my photographs in any way or would like a print, please contact me. Thank you.