Millinery Masterclass

During the summer of 2018, I took a workshop with Laura Whitlock. In just a few days, she taught our class how to block wool and straw, as well as line and decorate our creations using the proper techniques. She taught us how to create period hat shapes with obtainable, practical objects seeing as historic hat blocks are hard to find. The skills I leaned from this workshop have helped me numerous times, whether that be re-blocking a misshapen top hat or creating a block from found objects.   

Cover the block in foil.

Steam and pull the felt hood over the block and pin in place. Apply millinery cord.

Let steam for 15 minutes.

Soak hood in water and stretch over block. Pin into place. Apply millinery cord. Let dry.

Thank you to The Henry Ford and Anne Suchyta for making this workshop happen, and Laura Whitlock.