Profession costume maker

Costume makers construct, sew, stitch, dye, adapt and maintain costumes to be used in live performances and in movies or television programs. Their work is based on artistic vision, sketches or finished patterns combined with knowledge of the human body to ensure the wearer maximum range of movement. They work in close cooperation with the designers.  

Personality Type

• Realistic / Artistic

Knowledge

• Dressmaking

  The craft of sewing clothes and dresses by following a pattern. This includes the assembly of cutout clothing parts.

Skills

• Maintain workshop space

  Keep the workshop space in working order and clean.

• Adapt costumes

  Adapt, stitch or sew stage outfits for performing actors.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Finish project within budget

  Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.

• Assemble costume parts

  Assemble cutout costume parts manually or by operating a sewing machine.

• Work with respect for own safety

  Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.

• Maintain theatre equipment

  Check up on, maintain and repair tools and machinery used for onstage purposes, such as lighting equipment, stage sets or scene-change machinery.

• Work safely with chemicals

  Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.

• Translate artistic concepts to technical designs

  Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.

• Draw up artists' measurements

  Draw up the measurements and sizes of performing artists for clothing purposes.

• Finish costumes

  Finish costumes by adding zippers, elastics, buttonholes, decorative stitching, jewellery, rosettes, and other decorations.

• Work safely with machines

  Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.

• Dye fabrics

  Dye costume fabrics for live onstage purposes.

• Understand artistic concepts

  Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.

• Work ergonomically

  Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

• Cut fabrics

  Cut fabrics and other wearing apparel materials considering measures, placement of the fabrics in the cutting table in multiple layers, and making the most efficient usage of the fabric avoiding waste. Cut fabrics by hand, or using electric knives, or other cutting tools depending on the fabric. Use computerised systems or automatic cutting machines.

• Use personal protection equipment

  Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.

• Sew pieces of fabric

  Operate basic or specialised sewing machines whether domestic or industrial ones, sewing pieces of fabric, vinyl or leather in order to manufacture or repair wearing apparels, making sure the threads are selected according to specifications.

• Perform costume settings

  Organise and manage costume settings.

• Maintain rigging equipment

  Check rigging equipment before fitting up, and make small repairs if necessary.

• Draw up costume patterns

  Draw and cut out costume patterns using scissors and measuring instruments.

• Adapt to artists' creative demands

  Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.

• Manage personal professional development

  Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders.

• Keep up with trends

  Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.

• Use manual sewing techniques

  Use manual sewing and stitching techniques to manufacture or repair fabrics or textile-based articles.

• Follow work schedule

  Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.

• Prepare personal work environment

  Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB