Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to make costumes for performances in the screen, media and entertainment industries.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the unit 

Costume makers working on low-budget, small scale productions in the film, television and live theatre/entertainment industries apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit, which covers the making of relatively simple costumes.

Even though they usually work to briefs provided by costume designers, there is scope for costume makers to be creative as they work on the designs they are given. They need to be adept at pattern drafting and familiar with a full range of sewing and finishing techniques. This work is usually undertaken with some supervision and guidance.

Skills associated with making more complex costumes are covered in:

• CUECOS10A Make period costumes
• CUECOS11A Make character costumes.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Make and grade patterns for costumes

1. Confirm and discuss costume  making requirements and facilities  with relevant personnel  and with reference to production documentation 

2. Select appropriate grade plans or grade rule tables

3. Produce or adjust patterns to required specifications 

4. Grade patterns manually or by computer, adjusting design, maintaining accuracy and shape, notches and other design requirements

5. Check patterns for accuracy and make adjustments as required

6. Store patterns according to workplace procedures

Lay up and cut work

7. Establish the required quantity of fabrics and other materials  to minimise wastage

8. Check materials for quality, faults, width, selvedges, dye lot and marking requirements

9. Identify and assemble base and outer fabrics

10. Lay up base and self fabrics and check alignment as necessary to ensure conformance with specifications

11. Cut materials to meet requirements of patterns

12. Prepare fabric base and mount fabrics, as necessary, to achieve required stiffening or support effect

Sew costumes

13. Pin or sew fabric pieces and linings and hang, as appropriate, in readiness for assembly

14. Make adjustments and alterations to meet performers' requirements and construction specifications

15. Use appropriate techniques  and equipment  to sew costume pieces together to form whole costumes and attach required trimmings, fasteners and decorations

16. Press finished costumes according to requirements

17. Seek feedback from relevant personnel on costumes and participate in costume fittings with performers as required

Finish costumes

18. Make final adjustments to costumes after fitting sessions with performers

19. Press and finish  costumes according to production  requirements

20. Correctly label and code costumes for identification during productions

21. During productions, make alterations as required to ensure performers are comfortable and the correct costume look is maintained

22. Complete relevant documentation according to workplace procedures

23. Participate in evaluation sessions about costume aspects of productions and note areas for future improvement

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

• interpret production documentation, costume construction specifications and instructions
• work collaboratively as a member of a production team
• communicate effectively with performers during costume fitting sessions
• complete workplace documentation

• initiative and flexibility in the context of:

• contributing ideas about the most efficient way to construct and finish costumes to meet creative requirements
• making last-minute adjustments to costumes

• problem solving skills in the context of making costumes that fit and can be worn comfortably during productions
• planning and organising skills sufficient to construct costumes in a logical sequence
• technical skills sufficient to:

• use sewing machines to make costumes
• use computer applications in the context of producing or adjusting patterns

• self-management skills sufficient to:

• work under pressure and meet deadlines
• follow manufacturer specifications and enterprise policies and procedures
• seek expert advice when problems arise

• numeracy skills sufficient to measure materials and fit costumes

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• structure of relevant industry sector
• roles and responsibilities of personnel in relevant industry sector
• broad understanding of artistic and technical elements of productions
• issues and challenges that arise in the context of making costumes

• well-developed understanding of the properties of different fabrics
• principles and techniques of costume construction and fitting
• techniques for making alterations to costumes and applying trims
• OHS procedures as they relate to the safe use of equipment and materials to make costumes

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• making of costumes that meet production requirements and demonstrate an ability to:

• make and grade patterns
• lay up and cut work
• sew and finish costumes
• meet deadlines

• collaborative approach to work
• attention to detail.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• practical demonstration of skills through the making of a range of costumes for at least two productions
• access to materials and equipment as listed in the range statement
• access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
• use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
• evaluation of costumes made by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met and correct procedures followed
• observation of the candidate during fitting sessions with performers to assess communication and problem solving skills
• written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• CUFCOS402A Construct costume components
• LMTFD4011A Cut fabrics for prototype design
• LMTFD4013A Grade 2D patterns.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Costumes  may include:

• accessories
• basic styles, e.g.:

• pants
• shorts
• skirts
• blouses

• contemporary wear
• corsetry
• costume jewellery
• dance wear
• female, male, child and animal costumes
• millinery
• padding
• pre-production toiles
• tailored costumes
• undergarments.

Facilities  may include:

• dressing-rooms
• fitting rooms
• furniture and equipment
• production space
• storage units and space.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• costume designer
• costume maker
• costume production staff
• director
• make-up and hair personnel
• other specialist staff
• performers
• production manager
• wardrobe department personnel
• wardrobe supervisor/manager.

Documentation  may include:

• call sheets
• computer generated
• costume break-down lists
• costume patterns
• costume plots
• descriptive costume checklists
• manually written
• manufacture schedules
• manufacturer specifications/instructions
• measurement charts
• memos of instruction
• operational/project plan
• production schedules
• running sheets
• scripts.

Specifications  may include:

• costume and undergarment requirements
• ease allowances
• gender and figure proportions
• performance requirements.

Materials  may include:

• cutting blades
• fabric
• fasteners
• haberdashery
• pattern paper
• solutions
• thread
• trim.

Techniques  may include:

• cutting
• hand sewing
• machining
• tailoring.

Equipment  may include:

• clothing storage and transportation bag
• coat hangers
• conversion tables
• cutting boards and tables
• dressmaker's dummies
• dyeing facilities
• glue guns
• hand-held cutting machines
• hanging racks
• industrial or domestic irons, presses and steamers
• laundry facilities, e.g. washing machines, dryers
• measuring tapes
• overlockers
• portable or fixed sewing machines, industrial or domestic
• scissors and cutters
• spray guns
• tools, e.g. wire cutters, hammers, pliers
• wardrobe base: studio/location or production office.

Finishing  may include:

• fitting trims
• fitting fasteners
• hemming costumes.

Productions  may include:

• commercials
• documentaries
• feature films
• filmed events or performances
• live or prerecorded television productions
• live performances
• music video
• short films
• television productions
• theatrical productions.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Visual communication - Costume

Co-requisite units