Millinery Short Course

The closest thing to a fashion design career for now is my fascinators making. For a while now, I've ponder over how I can make a hat/beret/turban from scratch and I think its time I look into taking proper lessons, as amateur or beginner as it may be. To learn the tricks of the trade. The mindset and research of a Milliner's career?

Especially after watching "Changeling". Other than it was a compelling movie about having hope and women in society, the costumes involved is perfect as usual. I paid particular attention to the hats Angelina Jolie wore. They are the type of hats I like and hope to make one day.

This hype me up a bit. I've seen a few places around that offer such courses. Melbourne School of Fashion offers a degree I believe. Then there is CAE which offers short courses. And then, I stumbled upon Louise Macdonald's website. She used to work for a costume house in England making hats for production such as "Pride and Prejudice". After much considerations, I think I should start with a course that highlights all the basic before I take any classes under Louise Macdonald's courses. So, the outline of CAE Millinery 7 days course from April to June is as follow:

Teacher: "Sandra Buchanan runs a successful designer millinery and ladies wear business, Sandra Buchanan Couture. Sandra is a member of the Australian Millinery Association and has more than 20 years experience in the field. She has exhibited her Millinery creations to much acclaim."

Course Outline:
•Introduction, course overview & OH&S

•Make canvas-based Headpiece
•Basic understanding of steps required to make a hat/headpiece

•Construction and assembly of a headpiece made from 20/20 canvas

•How to cover a Cocktail Hat/ Fascinator with Fabric headwear

•Introduction to how to trim a hat

•Types of trims

•How to fit a headpiece and attach elastic

•Commence Felt Hat -Blocking

•Understanding of how felt is made and the processes used to make a felt hat

•Understanding how hats fit and how to measure the head

•Understanding of stiffening and assembly processes, including OH&S

•Complete Felt Hat - assemble, trim

•Commence Straw/ Sinamay Hat - blocking

•Creation and attachment of various trim possibilities

•Use of straw and sinamay in hat making and how to block and stiffen fibres

•Straw/Sinamay Hat - wire, assemble

•How to press, stitch and wire straw/sinamay

•Steps to assemble

•Introduction to understanding size, proportion and line in millinery design

•Complete Straw/Sinamay Hat/Headpiece - trim

•Care, storage and maintenance of hats

I'm thrilled! Can't wait to start. I've got a collegue who knows how to make felt from scratch, so I'm looking forward to her class too.