Blocking buckram is an indispensable skill for a well-rounded milliner. It’s the basis of many fabric-covered fashion and theatrical hats, allowing one to perfectly match a dress or costume. In this two-day class, instructor Laura Whitlock will guide students through the fundamentals of this classic technique.

• Day 1: Using blocks carved in the previous one-day class, or chosen from Judith M Studio’s collection, students will block and fabric-cover one or two hats. While they dry, we’ll focus on a variety of trimming options, including classic “Needle & Thread” flowers.
• Day 2: We’ll attach our trims and focus on creating a professional interior finish.

This art is almost forgotten among contemporary milliners and has the potential of bringing new clients, especially the “special occasion” hat commissions, to those that offer the custom frame hat. Sometimes a hat of felt or straw just doesn’t work for the occasion or the ensemble needs a hat in complementary or matching fabric. A buckram hat frame fills the need perfectly.

Tutor: Laura Whitlock