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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7531

Costume maker

A costume maker is a person who constructs, sews, stitches, adapts and maintains the costumes used in live performance, in film and in television.

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Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

understand artistic concepts

follow work schedule

dye fabrics

finish costumes

use manual sewing techniques

About costume maker

The costume maker works from artistic visions, sketches or finished patterns, cuts fabrics, joins the costume components and finishes the costumes, and works in close collaboration with the designers. The designer decides how a costume should look, and the costume maker turns the design into a garment that can be worn on stage or on set.

Knowledge of the human body matters here too: a costume has to allow the performer the maximum range of movement, so a seam placed where a shoulder rotates, or a closure that cannot be reached in a quick change, is a fault even when the garment looks right on a stand.

The costume maker also maintains the costumes for as long as a production runs and repairs them between performances. The costume maker meets deadlines, including the opening night, and handles chemicals safely, for example when dyeing or ageing fabric. The costume maker also follows current trends, prepares their own workspace and works ergonomically, keeping a good posture during long hours at the cutting table.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (27)

dressmakingdressmakingThe craft of sewing clothes and dresses by following a pattern. This includes the assembly of cutout clothing parts.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.understand artistic conceptsunderstand artistic conceptsInterpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.dye fabricsdye fabricsDye costume fabrics for live onstage purposes.finish costumesfinish costumesFinish costumes by adding zippers, elastics, buttonholes, decorative stitching, jewellery, rosettes, and other decorations.use manual sewing techniquesuse manual sewing techniquesUse manuel sewing and stitching techniques to manufacture or repair fabrics or textile-based articles.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.assemble costume partsassemble costume partsAssemble cutout costume parts manually or by operating a sewing machine.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork 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.prepare personal work environmentprepare personal work environmentCorrect settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.maintain theatre equipmentmaintain theatre equipmentCheck up on, maintain and repair tools and machinery used for onstage purposes, such as lighting equipment, stage sets or scene-change machinery.finish project within budgetfinish project within budgetMake sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.perform costume settingsperform costume settingsOrganise and manage costume settings.draw up artists' measurementsdraw up artists' measurementsDraw up the measurements and sizes of performing artists for clothing purposes.translate artistic concepts to technical designstranslate artistic concepts to technical designsCooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.adapt costumesadapt costumesAdapt, stitch or sew stage outfits for performing actors.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.maintain rigging equipmentmaintain rigging equipmentCheck rigging equipment before fitting up, and make small repairs if necessary.maintain workshop spacemaintain workshop spaceKeep your workshop space in working order and clean.draw up costume patternsdraw up costume patternsDraw and cut out costume patterns using scissors and measuring instruments.cut fabricscut fabricsCut 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...sew pieces of fabricsew pieces of fabricOperate 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 ...work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply 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.keep up with trendskeep up with trendsMonitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.
Optional (21) — show
manage consumables stockmanage consumables stockManage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.manage technical resources stockmanage technical resources stockManage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.work with the camera crewwork with the camera crewWork with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.draw up costume sketchesdraw up costume sketchesDraw sketches of costumes and clothing accessories; note specifications such as size, material type and colour scheme.develop drama production processdevelop drama production processHave and develop a thorough understanding of the dramatic production process.plan workshop activityplan workshop activityPlan workshop activities according to production needs.attend rehearsalsattend rehearsalsAttend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.develop the look of a productiondevelop the look of a productionDevelop the overall look or style of a theatre, opera, television, or film set.prevent fire in a performance environmentprevent fire in a performance environmentTake steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are awar...work with the director of photographywork with the director of photographyWork with the director of photography on the artistic and creative vision that needs to be followed during production of a movie or theatre production.support a designer in the developing processsupport a designer in the developing processSupport designers in the course of the developing process.define costume fabrication methodsdefine costume fabrication methodsDefine costume manufacturing methods and techniques.organise costume fittingsorganise costume fittingsOrganise fitting sessions for the actors and decide on the required actions. Assign the right size costume to each actor.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.organise workshop spaceorganise workshop spaceArrange the space of an equipment workshop for maximum efficiency, such as, install lighnting, install a workbench, etc. Decide on the activities and equipment to fit in, and the most convenient way t...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...follow directions of the artistic directorfollow directions of the artistic directorFollow the instructions of the director while understanding his creative vision.work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionwork safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...adapt existing designs to changed circumstancesadapt existing designs to changed circumstancesAdapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.work with the lighting crewwork with the lighting crewWork with the crew responsible for the lighting setup and operation to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a costume maker do?

Costume makers construct, sew, stitch, dye, adapt and maintain costumes to be used in events, 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.

What skills does a costume maker need?

A costume maker needs 27 essential skills, including dressmaking, work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, follow work schedule, dye fabrics.

Will AI replace costume maker jobs?

The AI disruption score for costume maker is 21/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: follow work schedule, draw up artists' measurements, keep personal administration. Most resilient: work with respect for own safety, maintain rigging equipment, understand artistic concepts.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills27

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