Costume Stitcher / Seamstress / Sample Maker

Job Position(s): Costume Stitcher / Seamstress / Sample Maker

No Gimmick Gear is hiring a Costume Stitcher / Seamstress / Sample Maker to join their costume production shop in Long Island City, Queens, NY. This role sits inside a specialty costume construction operation, building finished garments from pre-cut pattern pieces for professional wrestling, dance, theater, film, and live performance productions. It suits a garment construction professional with hands-on stretch fabric experience who wants to work on one-of-a-kind pieces rather than volume production.

About the Role

The costume department at No Gimmick Gear is a small, close-knit shop of three people producing custom performance costumes for clients including WWE and AEW talent, theatrical productions, and live performance art. Every order is a unique build, so the work demands careful attention to construction quality rather than speed-of-output. A typical day involves working directly alongside the designer to take cut pieces through to a fully finished, stage-ready costume.

Key Responsibilities

• Construct custom performance costumes from pre-cut pattern pieces through to completion using industrial and domestic straight stitch, overlock/serger, and coverstitch machines.
• Work primarily with stretch fabrics including spandex, stretch vinyl, mystique, heavyweight lycra, faux leather, and stretch sequins across wrestling and dance costume builds.
• Execute fit alterations accurately to ensure costumes meet the performance demands of professional wrestling and stage production clients.
• Cut pattern pieces cleanly and precisely when required, maintaining the integrity of stretch fabric layouts across each unique design.
• Maintain a clean, organized shared studio workspace that supports efficient costume production workflow for a small team.
• Communicate clearly with the designer and shop staff throughout each build to flag fit or construction issues before they reach the finishing stage.

What You Bring

• Minimum five years of sewing experience, with at least four years of hands-on pattern cutting.
• Demonstrated experience constructing garments in spandex and other stretch fabrics, ideally within performance costume, dancewear, or theatrical costuming.
• Proficiency on industrial and domestic straight stitch, serger/overlock, and coverstitch machines.
• Ability to commute to the Long Island City studio in person, including stair access to a second-floor workspace with no elevator.
• Knowledge of pattern making and pattern grading is a meaningful advantage in this shop environment.

Why This Role

No Gimmick Gear builds costumes worn by professional wrestling talent on the biggest stages in sports entertainment, alongside credits in theater, film, and live performance art, so the work carries real production value. The position starts at one to three days per week with a clear path to a fuller schedule for the right person, and pays between $17.00 and $20.00 per hour. Hours are 9:30am to 6:00pm with a half-hour lunch, giving the role a consistent, predictable structure that suits a working craftsperson.

Submit your application for the Costume Stitcher / Seamstress / Sample Maker position at No Gimmick Gear and include examples of your construction work when prompted.