On this two-day Straw Hat course you will learn how to block, shape and manipulate sinamay straw. You can choose to block a brim hat such as Fedora or Trilby or you can chose to block a smaller hat such as a pillbox, beret or fascinator. You will also learn how to wire a hat to ensure it holds its shape, how to curve a petersham ribbon and invisibly stitch into your hat. After blocking a hat you will proceed onto learning trimming and…

with Judy Bentinck

On this two-day Straw Hat course you will learn how to block, shape and manipulate sinamay straw. You can choose to block a brim hat such as Fedora or Trilby or you can chose to block a smaller hat such as a pillbox, beret or fascinator. You will also learn how to wire a hat to ensure it holds its shape, how to curve a petersham ribbon and invisibly stitch into your hat. After blocking a hat you will proceed onto learning trimming and…

On this two-day Straw Hat course you will learn how to block, shape and manipulate sinamay straw. You can choose to block a brim hat such as Fedora or Trilby or you can chose to block a smaller hat such as a pillbox, beret or fascinator. You will also learn how to wire a hat to ensure it holds its shape, how to curve a petersham ribbon and invisibly stitch into your hat. After blocking a hat you will proceed onto learning trimming and…

Tutor: Judy Bentinck

On this two-day Straw Hat course you will learn how to block, shape and manipulate sinamay straw. You can choose to block a brim hat such as Fedora or Trilby or you can chose to block a smaller hat such as a pillbox, beret or fascinator. You will also learn how to wire a hat to ensure it holds its shape, how to curve a petersham ribbon and invisibly stitch into your hat. After blocking a hat you will proceed onto learning trimming and…

On this two-day Straw Hat course you will learn how to block, shape and manipulate sinamay straw. You can choose to block a brim hat such as Fedora or Trilby or you can chose to block a smaller hat such as a pillbox, beret or fascinator. You will also learn how to wire a hat to ensure it holds its shape, how to curve a petersham ribbon and invisibly stitch into your hat. After blocking a hat you will proceed onto learning trimming and…

Monday – Friday 40 Lime Grove, London W12 8EA £550 This advanced millinery course will provide you with an introduction to designing and making millinery hat blocks. We'll show you how to achieve balance in your design by studying creations of important milliners and we'll then help you design your own shape of hat. By the end of the course you'll have produced a crown and brim block plus a small independent shape which can be used to block a…

On this two-day Straw Hat course you will learn how to block, shape and manipulate sinamay straw. You can choose to block a brim hat such as Fedora or Trilby or you can chose to block a smaller hat such as a pillbox, beret or fascinator. You will also learn how to wire a hat to ensure it holds its shape, how to curve a petersham ribbon and invisibly stitch into your hat. After blocking a hat you will proceed onto learning trimming and…

Leather Pillbox and Flower Techniques (2 day) £225 inc all materials This course is aimed at: Those who have experience in straw, felt and sinamay and who want to expand their blocking and trimming knowledge to leather. This is an advanced course and prior experience of millinery is essential . The course will involve: Using a new foundation material called Fosshape to block the foundation for your pillbox shape and wire it so it is durable. Blocking a leather of…

Tutor: Judy Bentinck

(2 days)  £195 (inc all materials) – Level: Beginners This course is aimed at: Beginners who want to learn the art of blocking and trimming cocktails hats. The course will involve: A comprehensive overview of millinery materials, techniques and styles. Practical application of blocking a pillbox percher on a wooden block. A series of sinamay trims will then be demonstrated and practiced including bows, fans, bias loops, veils, ruches, roses, lilies and free form shapes. Time spent exploring techniques and trimmings…

Fabric Pillbox Hat (2 days) £195 inc all materials This course is aimed at: Those who want to expand their knowledge of millinery techniques and create headpieces using any fabrics. 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 1 of the following options; Using bias pleats to cover a pillbox. Using a ruching technique to cover a pillbox.…

Parisisal Straw Explored (2 day) £225 inc all materials This course is aimed at: Those who want to explore working with Parisisal straw and experiment with the many possibilities it brings. Previous experience of blocking sinamay is needed. The course will involve: Learning how to block Parisisal and its foundation materials using traditional techniques of steaming and pinning over a vast choice of wooden blocks. A tutorial in how to create a Parisisal brim. Learning how to wire and line…

Fur Felt Winter Fedora  (1 day) £130 inc all materials This course is aimed at: Students of any skill level who want to create a unique wearable Fedora hat for winter The course will involve: Choice of black, grey, navy or tan fur felt Exploration of different trims you can use on Fedora’s. With tuition you will block your fur felt hood to your desired head size and shape. Creation of a feather trim or a petersham trim to adorn…

Introduction to Feather Techniques (1 day)  – £100 (inc all materials) – Level: All This course is aimed at: Those wanting to learn how feathers can enhance their designs. The course will involve: An introduction to different types of feathers and how they are used in our designs including, goose, hackle, turkey, ostrich and peacock amongst others. Time will be spent practicing the art of manipulating feathers and creating a feather mount. You will leave with: An understanding of different feathers and their…

Advanced Feather Techniques (1 day) This course is aimed at: This is a perfect course for those wanting to advance their feather knowledge having already attended the introduction or having had previous feather experience. The course will involve: Demonstrations showing different ways of dying and preparing feathers. Practical skills showing how to create a wired feather vine enabling you to create a variety of trims ready to use on your hats. The skills needed to create suspended feather pieces. Tuition on…

Tutor: Judy Bentinck