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Costume Maker

Cuts and makes costumes to Designer brief in the workroom — UK Costume grade; confirm title on the call sheet and deal memo.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Pattern, cut and construct
• Fittings alterations
• Finish and label garments

Reports to

Costume Designer / Supervisor (workroom)

Works with

Cutters/makers team, Breakdown Artist, Buyer

Career path

Costume Trainee / stitcher → Costume Maker → Workroom Supervisor

Day to day

Cut/fit/make; alter after fittings; document construction for multiples; liaise breakdown.

Call times

Fittings and truck prep often before unit call; standby tracks cast ready-times through wrap for continuity photos. Crowd days start very early.

What to wear

Blacks on set; clean presentable kit clothes; soft shoes around cast; weather layers for exteriors.

Tools & kit

Own sewing kit often expected; industrial machines in workroom.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• Clo3D / Illustrator patterns (where used)
• Measurement sheets
• Excel / Google Sheets continuity & cast lists
• Scriptation / PDF sides
• PureRef boards (cleared refs)
• ChatGPT for period research summaries (Designer verifies)

Related roles

Costume Designer, Costume Supervisor

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