How to Order a Custom Figure Skating Costume

Whether you’re a competitive figure skater or a devoted hobbyist, or if you have a child who skates, you may want to order a custom figure skating costume to get just the right fit and look for a program. Custom figure skating costumes can be expensive, so make sure to do your research carefully. You’ll want the designer to do a quality job, and make a custom figure skating costume that fits perfectly and looks just the way you want.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find someone who sews custom figure skating costumes through your local skating rink or club, or look online for professional figure skating costumers.

2. Look at samples of the skating costumer’s work, and check for references from past clients. Sewing figure skating costumes is a specialized skill, since the costumes not only have to look good, they have to be comfortable and easy to wear while skating.

3. Find out how much the designer’s typical costume designs cost. Although every costume is unique, the designer may charge a standard flat fee or hourly fee to design the costume, and another fee to sew the costume and add any details, such as beads or rhinestones.

4. Check the designer’s schedule to make sure the costume can be completed in time. Some top designers book up months in advance, and even local hobbyists may find themselves particularly busy right before a big competition.

5. Find out how the designer’s process works. Some costumers only work with local clients, while others are happy to accommodate long-distance clients by working over the phone and mailing the costume to you for fitting. Make sure to get an estimate for all costs before signing up with a designer.

6. Look through the costumer’s sample designs, or show the designer sketches or ideas of your own, or photos of other costumes you like. Professional designers will never copy another costume exactly, since skaters who pay for custom dresses want their costumes to be unique, but the designer can use other costumes to get an idea of what you want.

7. Provide the designer with a photo of the skater and the music for the program, if requested, so the costumer will get a better idea of what the finished costume should look like. Discuss color, style and fabric choices. Ask if the designer will show you fabric swatches in person, or send them to you through the mail.

8. Take the skater’s measurements, or have the designer measure the skater if you’re working with someone local.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the designer will let the skater try on the costume before any intricate or expensive beading work is done, in case the costume needs to be adjusted.
• You may be able to save money by ordering a used skating costume, since many skaters quickly outgrow their costumes or want a different costume for every program.

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