In this afternoon workshop, you will learn how to make a fascinator from sinamay.

Sinamay is the lightweight woven straw-like material you see in most summer occasion hats. Participants are taught the process from start to finish as they make their own fascinator base, make roses, and learn to manipulate feathers, and attach birdcage veils.

There are four main components we teach in this class – all of which are easy to learn techniques but very effective in their results, making it perfect for beginners:

1) Sinamay roses: using the raw material to sculpt roses / shapes from the sinamay, and roll the edge of the sinamay to create neat, thin edges.

2) Feather Manipulation: how to cut / strip / curl / shape feathers to achieve drastically different looks.

3) Bringing the elements together, with net veiling and other adornments such as gemstones. How to design the shape to complement your face and create something that suits you.

4) Bases – how to make a simple fascinator base by ‘blocking’ around a head form, then finishing with hand wiring and making our own bias binding from the sinamay. (This component is often skipped for corporate workshops and hen parties in favour of ready-made fascinator bases).

By the end you will be confident and have a good knowledge and skill set of how to make fascinators.

We provide all materials such as sinamay, feathers, net veiling, gems and all sorts of adornments. If you have something special e.g., a brooch or piece of fabric, please bring it along and see if we can incorporate it into your hat! If you have an outfit in mind to match your hat with, feel free to bring it along.

It’s a very creative class in that you design your own finished piece using the skills which we have taught. They are small classes so you get a lot of one to one attention. No experience necessary, but basic sewing skills help.

This is a great first crash course for people who are curious in the art of millinery and those who would enjoy craft courses, as well as those who just want a new fascinator!

We normally finish out fascinators using elastic, however, if you would rather learn how to make a fascinator on a headband or comb, please inform Sahar ahead of time to make sure she can supply the correct materials.