Seams Unlimited is a full service costume shop specializing in historically accurate, comfortable, movement-oriented wear for opera, theatre and ballet performers. Founded by Kitty Knapp, Seams Unlimited has provided creative solutions to every kind of costume challenge for companies across the nation. Drawing upon her extensive knowledge from 25 years experience in the sewing arts, Knapp can provide head-to-toe service for a full production, or a single item created to match an existing show.

Kitty Knapp began her costuming career in 1976 while attending college in Wisconsin. Sewing costumes for the Theatre Department’s productions led to engagements to construct costumes of all types for clients ranging from rock bands to ballet troupes, amusement park show costumes and “walk-arounds” to the mass production of flags and banners.

In 1982 Knapp joined the staff of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Wardrobe Department. Working with directors, designers and performers from around the world, Knapp honed her skills as a pattern-maker, craftsperson, seamstress and tailor for the next thirteen years. In addition to her contributions to the Lyric, Knapp also freelanced in and around the Chicago area, creating costumes for dance troupes such as the American Ballet Theatre and The Hubbard Street Dance Company, as well as for films including The Untouchables and Uncle Buck.

Since embarking on her own in 1995 as Seams Unlimited, Kitty has been specializing in (but not limiting herself to) the opera world. She has built shows, or selected parts of shows, for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Kentucky Opera, Opera Pacific, Lake George Opera Festival, Chicago Shakespere, Milwaukee Shakespere, and Depaul University to name a few.

In doing these projects she has worked with some of the finest designers on the planet including: David Zinn, Marie Anne Chiment, Martin Pakledinaz, Ann Hould-Ward, Frank Schloessman, Jane Greenwood, Michael Yeargen and Gayle Susan Baizer.