The aim of this course is to learn about millinery of silk flowers from observation of flowers and to interpret them using silk, velvet, paper clay, and wire. You will learn many techniques of millinery silk flower-making using a mixture of traditional French and Japanese Somebana heated tools. You will gain skills that you can use after the course has ended, to explore the craft and develop your own personal way of re-creating many other flowers.

The course is suitable for all levels and all that is required is a basic knowledge of sewing.

Throughout the course, you will be shown how to construct flowers with several techniques; each stage will be demonstrated with samples. You will be encouraged to experiment with dyes and make templates. Advice on painting techniques with procion dyes will be at hand to create the effects you want. At the end of the course, you will have a basic understanding of the shapes that the various tools make, confidence in drawing from life, and you will take away a collection of experiments and techniques and flowers, some made into delicate brooches.

Techniques and skills

– Observation and some sketchbook work

– Preparing and stiffening silk.

– Making templates

– Bias cutting of silk from templates

– Mixing dyes and silk painting techniques

– Bonding silk and hiding wire

– Using paper clay

– Binding stems with silk

The tutor will help you through the different processes with plenty of individual attention. At the end of the course, we will review all the techniques involved and you will be given information of suppliers of silk, tools and materials used. Tools, wires, dyes, glue and silk will be available to buy from the tutor.