Did you ever consider that maybe you should take up the art of millinery? That thought has occured to a lot of folks, some have even acted upon it. Most simply consider it briefly, then dismiss the thought, usually they do not understand how to approach it, in other cases because it’s a large unknown, still others because they imagine they cannot do it.

Well, kick back here for a few moments and why don’t we examine that. Listed here are 3 reasons why you should take up the art of millinery, for you to consider.

To start with, hats are on the rise. O.K., I fully understand your objection that it is a dying art. That is true, but still you can bring out your creative flair.

Second, the enjoyment and reward of creating a designer hat. Plus, the passion and enjoyment of learning this wonderful art. And the time taken to sew, construct and trim your design is well spent

Lastly, showing your design on a well dressed lady going to a special event. Which means that your name and brand will be broadcasted across the globe. Again, you can build your clientel and your reputation!

Once you look at the reasons and evaluate them, I expect that you’ll have to admit that a compelling case can be made for thinking about the way to take up the art of millinery.

Think it over. Maybe you really, in all seriousness, should take up the art of millinery.

Why not give it a try?

Bethune

Many of my students have asked what they can do with sinamay as a trimming. So I am begining to add short video’s to inspire and to share techniques to be built upon. These are easy and simple trimmings for anyone to try. This first video is a sinamay bow which can be finished off for a fascinator or a trimming for your hat. I do hope you enjoy it and do feel free to leave a comment.

Until next time

Bethune

As the wearing of hats become news in the media, thoughts came to me of why would you wear a hat, a few quotes I came across answered my thoughts quite nicely.

…For when a woman puts on a hat, A transformation takes place: Self-confidence and self-respect, Show in the lady’s face. She accents her femininity; She stands tall, with shoulders back; Even when her derriere, Is clothed in jeans or slacks.

The above is true in as a transformation does occur, your posture changes, giving you more confidence, a glamorous look, head turning abilities, and lady like qualities as you walk and greet others at your desired event.  With ending of this relating to whether you are dressed to the nines or in everyday clothes a hat really does change your posture.

The right hat may also enliven our imagination of the past….an old-fashioned cloche, a picture hat, or a toque trimmed with a pouf of polka-dotted veiling is just enough to make us feel as if we were living in another, romantic age.

A Red Cloche left corner, a picture hat in the center

I love the above quote as I have often heard a hat should look like its has just fallen from heaven.

Students, clients say to me many times hats do not suit me, or they are always too large, or too small, and my answer is to come and learn how to make your own.

Why Not Come and Make Your Own…

There are so many styles, designs to choose from as you can see in the above photo, you will learn how to

• make it to fit you
• choose colour scheme to fit your outfit
• have a variety of hat block designs to pick from
• have fun whilst learning blocking techniques
• meet friendly faces
• learn a new career or hobby
• come away with a hat you designed and made yourself from the latest millinery materials, like sinamay, felt, straw, fabrics, feathers and more.

Romance yourself, and bring out your creative thoughts, join me in one of my workshops soon.

Creativity at work

Bethune

Listening to this interview has given me an insight into how Stephen Jones developed his skills into a top hat designer.  I have pulled out some key factors that anyone of us can implement into our chosen craft.

Making a hat for a client as Stephen Jones describes:-

1. you need to be a good listen

2. find out why they are wearing a hat

3. what do they want to achieve

further questions to ask would be!

4. the event they are attending

5. colour scheme……..

What other questions would you consider asking your client?

After following the first 3 from above more questions will be asked leading to a profile of what your client requires.  My experience is the client will depend on you somewhat as the milliner to design and interpret their ideas or their vision of a hat.  They will look to you for the final creation giving them the wow factor.

What I have also picked up from Stephen Jones as the designer, he understands and knows his work force, therefore as a team the process is:-

1. starting with the collection

2. going through the sketches

3. looking at different materials to accommodate the designs

Usually starting out you maybe on your own.  Skills and techniques would have to be developed and by taking a chance and being creative you can achieve what you want.

This interview has shown me that hats even researching from history, are on the way back.  Millinery courses are on the rise even in my locality.

The milliners of the future are ready to be born, and you can become the trend setters.

What has stood out to me about Stephen Jones is his designs have been worn by many celebrities such as the Late Princess of Wales and more.  His knowledge of the history of hats shows in his collection, as he uses the tools and resources around him.

As my research continues, do take time to watch and listen to this interview, let me know what stood out for you!

Creativity at Work

Bethune

A Sumptuous Sinamay Hat by Barbara Holland

Its a joy and a pleasure to catch up with students to see how they are doing, and Barbara Holland has begun her journey of making elegant, sumptuous hat designs for clients.

Block/Hat Shape

Her striking purple sinamay hat sports an upturn brim and a sloping crown, which is a favourite of many ladies.  The silhouette shape itself adorns any garment and any ladies stance improves quite quickly as she enters any venue.

Trimmings

Barbara has trimmed her hat with a long bias sinamay band edged in matching pettersham  edge, arrowhead ostrich feathers in toning colour has been added and an antique broche to finish off.   In milliners terms less is more.  A hat ready for Ascot or any event.

Skills gained and materials used

Barbara has attended a few 2 day workshops, where she equipped herself with the basic millinery/hat making techniques to begin her journey into the millinery world.  For this hat the supplies of sinamay, feathers, pettersham can be obtained from Parkin Fabrics, the broche from any jewelry you may have laying around or from a second hand or charity store.  For Barbara’s design it would be an intermediate level, requiring basic sewing skills, patience and the love of being creative with your hands.

A Sinamay Loop Fascinator by Barbara Holland of Racey Ladies Hat Designs

For this fascinator Barbara has used black sinamay bias strip and trimmed it with silver bias through the center.  By adding diamanties to finish off and then attached to a silver alice band gives this fascinator an elegant and dainty look.  The black and silver colour theme looks stunning.

Skill, Techniques & Materials

Techniques used can be learned in a 1 day trimming course and the fascinator can be made in a matter of 3-4 hours once the technique has been acquired.  Fascinators at present are still very much in the lime light and can be made from sinamay as shown, feathers, fabrics, straw, felt.  Its fun to have a go and you may be surprised at what you create.  Barbara’s designs are just a few of what you can achieve at beginners level, whether you have basic sewing skills or not you can still learn on one of my workshops either as a one to one or group setting its a great way to make new friends, learn the art of millinery techniques, whilst having fun and meeting friendly people from across the globe.

Do you want to know how to make hats and fascinators?

Shoot me an email at bethune_m@yahoo.com or fill in my contact page and I’ll be happy to meet your needs.  You too can use your creative vision and get into hat making.

Barbara Holland of Racey Ladies Hat Designs

Until the next time, let me know what you think!

Creativity at work

Bethune

Catherine-wheel a design by Linda Brately

Linda Brately Designs after How to Make Hats Workshops

Linda Brately has been putting her millinery techniques to the test, with one of her creative designs she has named Catherine Wheel.  Remembering our first meeting, Linda enjoyed the hands on in depth workshop.  Her design uses parisisal straw hand blocked into discs with a exaggerated button brings out contrasting effect.  Her choice of stripped coque feathers and the integration of 3 colours creates her Catherine wheel effect.

Skills gained

Linda had attended a number of my workshops and when equipped with the millinery skills and techniques ventured into making commissions for clients and setting up her own business.   Her skill level is advanced and this may have taken her 2-3 days to make.  Materials would include basic sewing kit, glue and glue gun, dye’s if they were hand dyed feathers.

Look out for my interview with Linda Brately and where her enjoyment of millinery has led her.

Squiggle Hat Design by Linda Brately

A wool felt hand blocked cloche hat.  Embroidered with a pink and blue theme, and trimmed with butterflies.   Linda Brately’s creative vision and expressive nature puts trimming wool felt to the test.  As a seasonal fabric there is a lot you can do to adorne any hat.

With the ability to play you never know what you can come up with.  Do you want to give it a try? Its a great way to meet new people, have fun and come away with a hat in  a short period of time.  On a short hands on hat making course you may unveil some skills you never knew you had.  You can contact me via email bethune_m@yahoo.com or my contact page.

Linda Brately someone to look out for and I’ll be keeping up with her and let you know what she has been up to.

Until next time.

Creativity at work

Bethune

My continued search has brought me to Rachel Skinner a milliner of 17 years experience based in London.  Her love of hats from her first lesson on her fashion course where millinery is usually a module.   Once you get a taste of how to make a hat you know straight away this is what you want to do as Rachel Skinner has said.

Here are two of Rachel Skinner’s designs the first one is a parisisal straw pillbox hat, covered with an elegant veiling, and trimmed with a small knot.

As a small hat the skill level required can be from a beginner, taking 1 -2 days to achieve in a workshop, once the understanding of the blocking and millinery techniques have been acquired you too can make a hat like this.

Basic sewing skills do help but even those can be learned alongside millinery techniques at one of my workshops, drop me a line and we can discuss your requirements, email me at bethune_m@yahoo.com or fill in my contact me page.

Rachel Skinner’s large sinamay picture hat with a slight upturn shows the traditional black and white color scheme which always stands out.  Trimmed with feathers sets it off quite elegantly, due to the design being broken down from a photo, its better to have a hands on experience in producing an elegant style like this.

The skill level for this would be an intermediate once the basic millinery techniques have been learned then you are able to venture into elaborate hats.  Materials for these hats can be obtained from Parkin Fabrics who are one of my favorite suppliers.  As my journey continues I have chosen these two designs of Rachel skinner’s to show the versatility of small and large hats, with the straw and sinamay fabrics used, an elegant hat can be achieved.

Who do you consider to be a Milliner of Influence in the industry?

Leave a comment as I continue my research journey, with my love of hats and the art of millinery I’ll talk to you soon.

Creativity at work

Bethune

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As I search for Milliners past, present and up and coming, the art of millinery is still very much alive.  I admire milliners from all over the world, as each person’s vision and designs brings glamor,  a sense of classy sophistication to a specific out fit, and the privilege of having a hat/headpiece made for any special occasion is rewarding in itself.   As my search continues here are a few to start off with

Spotlighting Milliner: Phillip Treacy

Phillip Treacy is a much talked about milliner from London.

I am always intrigued with his designs both on and off the catwalk.  His work being admired by all who are passionate about hats as a well established and well known milliner of the present, Phillip Treacy is a milliner of influence in the fashion & millinery industry.

Follow me as I disect a couple of his creations

A Phillip Treacy design for the catwalk.

This particular design made up of  feathers attracted me due to the color which has been dyed and the construction and style, to identify the feathers through this photo will be a tall order.   I love to to see hats or headpieces and workout how they have been made.  Feathers take time to work with and a headband may be required for the feathers to be attached to.  I really do not want to undermine the millinery skills & technique required to achieve this creation but on a skill bases I would say its an advance skill level, taking around 3 to 4 days to complete, for those in the art of millinery for some time less time.   Equipment required, needle and thread, thimble, glue gun, feathers, headband, to obtain selection of feathers and basic equipment take a look at Parkin Fabric.

The Famous wedding hat worn by Lady Camilla, had many of my students asking how it was made?  What was used?, and complimenting on the look.  A very much talked about headpiece.

Another feather creation which looking at the complexity of it would be an advanced skill level, taking a few days if not more to complete.   I suppose I have chosen some difficult designs to break down as the photos have not provided a close up to be able to identify the feathers used.  But I do admire and wonder of the millinery technique used to achieve this amazing headpiece.

How To?

The thing is if you have a vision for a hat/headpiece design, you too can learn how to make a hat, with guidance no matter what your skill level is beginner, intermediate, or advanced there is always something new to learn in hat making.   The opportunity to meet new people, hands on welcoming workshops can be arranged to suit you.  Fill in the contact me page or drop me an email bethune_m@yahoo.com and I will get in touch.

You want to know more about millinery supplies here is the link Parkin Fabric

Who would you identify as a Milliner of Influence?

Creativity at Work

Bethune

Hat bows making a come back

Catching up with some articles brought me to the now famous inauguration hat worn by Aretha Franklin at Barack Obama’s historical inauguration, the large bow ‘church hat’ making a come back.  First impressions shows that a few church members may be asking for a replica, so watch this space.  Its great to see the hat matching Aretha’s coat, finishing her outfit superbly.

Bows may not be to everyones taste, but the trend has been set, take a look and let me know what you think!

Creativity at work

Bethune

bethune_m@yahoo.com

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This year I am looking at connecting with some past students to see how they are doing so watch this space.

My mind is full of ideas I am going to give a try and I will be asking your opinion so feel free to give your comments and use the contact me page or email me at bethune_m@yahoo.com if you have any questions about hat making or a topic you would like to discuss.

Just changing the subject slightly its -2 to -7 Celsius over here in the UK at the moment the coldest week for quite a number of years, its fresh but you know what its great (the photo taken at my local park, even the birds are walking on water).  I am going to enjoy each day as it comes and be thankful.

Now back to millinery/hat making.  I have been fortunate to be asked to teach the millinery module on a fashion and design course at a college.  My first year was successful with four students completing their degree and moving on to their desired courses and fashion programs.  Also part of the course was to get the students to design and create a hat or headpiece for the Bathstore, with the winners creation being worn at Ascot.  What a challenge the theme had to incorporate the Bathstore logo.  9 students, 9 varying designs to chose from.  The winner went to Ascot with their family, the sponsors Bathstore got their themed hat photographed, and both the college and Bathstore received much desired publicity.  Great stuff all round.

The winning (Bathstore theme competition to the right) college hat, photographed at Ascot 2008

So my second term begins again.   Really excited.  New students, new competition theme Lego Land for Ascot, so lets see what my students come up with!

This is a short post as the year progresses follow with me.  Talk to you soon.

Creativity at work

Bethune

These days hats may be considered a luxury, but there is something about seeing a lady dressed from head to toe, with a chic hat to finish off.  Where has this era gone?  Fancy dressed up hats are now seen more at ladies days at the races, Ascot being one of the famous places.  A chance also for milliners to shine, with their extravagant creations adorning their clients, this is one time a milliner would love one of their creations to be photographed.

Many students have passed through workshops with me via Wombourne School of Millinery, with Ann Morse-Brown (proprietor), and Guy Morse-Brown the leading hat block maker in the industry.

Creative Passion

With great sadness the school closed its doors in 2007, but my passion is to continue to share this lost art, along side millinery tutors up and down the country.

Do you want to know how to?

For those who want to learn more come and join in setting future trends, creating future collections.  With a little guidance, confidence and creative vision from you, the continued revival of hat making can be pushed to the forefront.

Millinery has many topics, so any questions, thoughts or ideas I can help with do get in touch.

Stop by and talk!

I love to hear from milliners to see how you are faring in this current climate, or just to talk about your journey in the millinery world, any events, achievements, or features then stop by and tell me about it.

There is so much to talk about, so until the next time, contact me

bethune_m@yahoo.com

Creativity at work

Bethune

Creativity at work

Bethune