The course will involve:

• • Learning how to block a hat base using buckram.
  • Learning how to wire, line and cover with silk or fabric for a beautiful professional finish
  • Using bias pleats to cover a cocktail hat.
  • Creating a silk bow to adorn your cocktail hat.
  • Learning how to create a couture lining and use the techniques to cover cocktail hats.
  • You will learn how to professionally finish your hat, how to attach an appropriate head fitting and create a couture lining.

Student Supplies (Minus sewing kit):

• Medium weight fabric, suggestions include silk dupion, duchess satin. (Must have a bias) Could be more than 1 colour if your design desires
• 2 metres of double sided (heavy weight) stiffened buckram
• Round button Block (this must be round)
• Millinery wire 2 metres (could be brim reed or spring wire)
• Tape – this is ideally surgical tape, but could be masking tape or Sellotape
• 1 – 2 metres of stiff sinamay to back the bow (could be a contrast or a complimentary colour to the silk)
• Choice of head fitting either an elastic or hairband
• 1/2 metre of Mac Fleece https://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/p/4161/non-fusible-woven/mw/macfleece ( if students are unable to get this it is suggested that they us Tarleton as an alternative or use a heavy weight silk for covering instead of medium
• Blocking pins

Required Classroom Amenities (sink, sewing machine, etc):

• Steamer (or steam facilities from an iron)
• Iron and an ironing board
• A polystyrene dummy head or poupee/crown block
• Silk and non silk scissors
• Pins
• Needle and matching thread to fabric

Course outcomes:

You will leave with:

• A finished fabric pleated cocktail hat with bow trim and couture lining
• Ability to create a couture linings for other sized hats
• Information on how to use other methods using fabric to cover your cocktail hat
• Knowledge to create further fabric trims.