Costume maker jobs in Finland
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.
Costume maker – how much is the pay in Finland?
What the trade paid in 2024
| Median | 15.61 €/h |
|---|---|
| Bottom tenth | 12.44 €/h |
| Top tenth | 20.74 €/h |
| Employees | 613 |
Pay by sex, 2024
| Sex | Median | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 15.61 €/h | 489 |
| Men | 15.59 €/h | 124 |
Costume maker - Which skills are essential?
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
Dye costume fabrics for live onstage purposes.
Finish costumes by adding zippers, elastics, buttonholes, decorative stitching, jewellery, rosettes, and other decorations.
Use manual sewing and stitching techniques to manufacture or repair fabrics or textile-based articles.
Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
Assemble cutout costume parts manually or by operating a sewing machine.
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
The craft of sewing clothes and dresses by following a pattern. This includes the assembly of cutout clothing parts.
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.
Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.
Check up on, maintain and repair tools and machinery used for onstage purposes, such as lighting equipment, stage sets or scene-change machinery.
Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
Organise and manage costume settings.
Draw up the measurements and sizes of performing artists for clothing purposes.
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
Adapt, stitch or sew stage outfits for performing actors.
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
Check rigging equipment before fitting up, and make small repairs if necessary.
Keep the workshop space in working order and clean.
Draw and cut out costume patterns using scissors and measuring instruments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.
Costume maker - Which skills are useful but not essential?
Manage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Work with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Draw sketches of costumes and clothing accessories; note specifications such as size, material type and colour scheme.
Plan workshop activities according to production needs.
Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
Take 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 aware of fire prevention measures.
Work 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 designers in the course of the developing process.
Define costume manufacturing methods and techniques.
Organise fitting sessions for the actors and decide on the required actions. Assign the right size costume to each actor.
File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Market one's own strengths in terms of skills and knowledge.
Arrange the space of an equipment workshop to ensure maximum efficiency, including installing ligh fixtures, a workbench, etc. Decide on the activities and equipment to fit in and the most convenient way to work.
Follow the instructions of the director while understanding his creative vision.
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.
Reach 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 to date on their activities.
Adapt 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 crew responsible for the lighting setup and operation to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.