DIY Millinery

Rachel Skinner

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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