Costume Seamstress/Designer

Job Summary
We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Costume Seamstress/Designer to join our team. You'll build full-body faux-fur dog character suits based on provided specs and breed reference.

About Real Dog Studios
Real Dog Studios is building a world where real dogs and fake humans collide. Our characters wear custom Wilfred-style dog suits, breed-based costume builds, mascot-grade pieces, and other practical wardrobe elements for short-form and long-form video.

We’re hiring a part-time seamstress / costume fabricator to produce these suits in-house. Someone hands-on, steady, and can turn a clear spec into a clean, finished costume. This isn’t a fashion role — it’s practical costume building for the camera and live performances.

What You’ll Do
Costume Production

• Build full-body faux-fur character suits based on provided specs and breed reference.
• Draft, modify, and adjust patterns for repeatable Wilfred-style dog suits.
• Operate industrial machines including:
• Juki DDL-8100 or DDL-8700 lockstitch
• Servo motor setups
• Standard industrial sewing machines
• Cut, sew, assemble, and finish fur-based garments, gloves, hoods, tails, and paw-feet.
• Produce consistent 3-finger paw gloves.
• Fabricate components like ears, tails, shoe covers, and hoods shaped to each breed.

Fit & Adjustments

• Handle fittings with actors.
• Make quick alterations before shoots.
• Reinforce stress points to survive active movement and repeated wear.
• Add breathable elements without compromising the suit structure.

Fabrication & Repeatability

• Maintain clean, organized patterns for each breed and body size.
• Keep build logs so any suit can be recreated later.
• Manage small on-hand inventory: faux fur rolls, foam, zippers, thread, lining, etc.

On-Set Support (Occasional)

• Be available during select shoot days for repairs, small fixes, or last-minute adjustments.

Who You Are

• Confident using industrial sewing machines (Juki experience is great).
• Comfortable sewing thick fabrics, faux fur, and padded sections.
• Good at pattern drafting, adjustments, and clean finishing.
• Organized, dependable, and steady with your hands.
• You like building practical things.
• Able to take a spec sheet and build the physical piece without hand-holding.
• Comfortable in a small, fast-moving creative studio.

Bonus

• Experience with mascot suits, cosplay builds, theater costuming, or creature-fabrication.
• Comfort using sergers, walking-foot machines, or foam-shaping tools.
• Interest in character design or stylized wardrobe.

Role Details

• Part-time, on-site in San Diego. Equipment provided.
• Standard work hours with occasional flex for shoot weeks.
• Competitive pay with room to grow as production increases.
• Reports to Turk (Co-Founder, Real Dog Studios)

How to Apply

• Send a message including your background and experience and why you're the perfect fit for this role.

Pay: From $32.00 per hour

Expected hours: 8.0 – 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person