Dates: 10-17 July 2021

Teacher: BRIDGET BAILEY

Location: CHATEAU DUMAS, Nr Toulouse, FRANCE

Email:  enquiries@chateaudumas.net

Website:  www.chateaudumas.net/workshop/106/

Bridget has an unsurpassed reputation for intriguing ideas and exquisite making and over the years she has developed a particular set of skills and techniques for working with silk, sinamay and straw.

This workshop will focus on flower-making and you’ll learn some of the secrets behind Bridget’s extraordinary designs.  With endless good humour and enthusiasm, she’ll show you how to manipulate materials to create perfectly sculpted  pieces without the need for specialist equipment.

Using a range of materials including velvet, silk and sinamay, you’ll learn to dye and make embossing plates. You’ll learn Bridget’s step-by-step process for embossing, wiring and making pollen and stamens which once mastered will give you the freedom to develop your own designs and artistic style.

Bridget’s teaching methods focus on practising and perfecting techniques and even experienced milliners will find themselves challenged in countless new ways. You’ll create two headpieces during the week and learn a wealth of skills, gain an appreciation for accuracy in your millinery and textile work and enjoy a sense of freedom and play in making.

The week coincides with the international Hat Festival, Estivales du Chapeau, which attracts milliners from all over the world and we will visit the Festival on one morning.   On Sunday morning we visit the atmospheric food and craft market in the medieval town of St Antonin Noble Val which was used as the backdrop to the films “Charlotte Grey” and “The Hundred Foot Journey”. 

This workshop is suitable for all levels from total beginner to advanced with no prior experience of blocking required.