Stun your customers with this amazing feather technique used for flowers or other ornaments. Based on a vintage Art Nouveau pattern, it creates stunning geometrical designs that stand out on their own or paired with a hat or a headband.

In this workshop, you will also learn how to work with leather to create an elegant headband.

Patience is the most important skill for this class.

Skill level: Intermediate

Whether you’re a hat-making enthusiast eager to explore the world of thermoplastics, or an artist passionate about creating three-
dimensional forms and looking to learn a powerful new technique, this workshop is for you.
Thermoplastic sculpting is one of Maor’s favorite methods for
building his signature headpieces. In this unique approach, which
he developed, thermoplastic is combined with silk to craft detailed,
dynamic flowers, leaves, and other organic shapes. This fusion of
materials results in vibrant, long-lasting pieces that are far more
durable than those made with traditional techniques.
In the workshop, we’ll delve into the structure of your chosen
flowers, develop patterns, and bring them to life using coloring
techniques, wiring, and the process of heat and steam. By
manipulating these versatile materials, you’ll transform your flat
designs into stunning three-dimensional creations.

All are welcome to this class. The outcome might be one simple flower for beginners or an ikebana composition for advanced students

Skill level: ALL

Advance your millinery skills with the 1 day “Crin Brim Headpiece and Trims” class! This course guides you in crafting a stunning crin headpiece using a specialized technique to seamlessly join crin. Transform and manipulate your creation to achieve a striking, unique design. By the end of the class, you’ll have a dazzling Crin Brim headpiece adorned with your chosen trims. Plus, take home a collection of crin samples, including flowers, distressed trims, fireworks, and bows. Unlock new possibilities in your design journey and make every headpiece a masterpiece!

Participants will:

• Learn a specialist technique for joining crin seamlessly
• Design and construct a crin brim headpiece
• Explore methods of shaping and manipulating crin into dynamic forms
• Create a variety of trims, including flowers, distressed effects, fireworks and bows

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Construct a finished crin brim headpiece, complete with chosen trim
• Confidently apply crin manipulation techniques to produce versatile trims
• Take home a collection of crin samples to inspire future designs

This course is aimed at: 

Those who wish to broaden their technical skills by creating headpieces and trims from this lightweight and versatile material.  Perhaps useful to those who have previously felt frustrated by this hard-to-tame material.

Skill level: Intermediate

Elevate your artistic practice by learning to design and sculpt your own polystyrene blocks in this one-day class with Edwina.  Having the knowledge and skills to design and make your own individual blocks is a no-brainer. To quote Edwina, “This has totally helped me elevate my millinery skills in a way not every milliner has… Helping me to have the confidence to make whatever a client wishes.  It has given me the possibilities to be as creative as I want and experiment before I spend a lot of $ on new blocks.”   

This is a fun and an incredibly important class if you want to extend your practical prototyping skills. This class will enable you to turn your sketches into the exact bespoke-shaped hat of your dreams. During the class, you may want to take your time and create 1 spectacular shape or work a little faster to create two distinctive shapes,  either a crown and a brim, or 2 cocktail hats (just as a suggestion). Within this class, an emphasis on the principle that quality surpasses quantity might be something to keep in mind.  Using your hands, eyes, and tools, you will be carving a solid block of Polystyrene into the block/ blocks of your imagination.   The day will include lots of sawing, brushing, and sanding. Once happy with your new block shape, we will paint it with a special coat, then leave it to dry overnight. Your sculpture may need to be further sanded down to gain a smooth finish.  This class is about learning the technique, allowing you to continue to perfect it later, in your own time.   This class will also enhance your hat-block perception – understanding how to carve a block will help you translate your design to your favourite Hat Block maker to take your prototype to the next level. Or extend your existing block collection.  

This intermediate to advanced class is ideal for milliners with a knack for sculpting and especially recommended for set designers or theatrical milliners looking to refine their technique and add a versatile medium to their skill set. To get ready for this class, start sketching today so you can come equipped with your dream-shape drawing. 

Skill needed – 3D thinking, familiarity with standard block types, crafting skills, and usage of hand saws. 

Be prepared to get messy in this class. The class will be held next to the classroom under the carport.  Note to students: sometimes the simplest circular shapes are the hardest to perfect!!!

Skill level: Intermediate

This 1-day workshop invites participants to explore the sculptural elegance of the freeform bow — without the need for hat blocks. Using both straw and felt, students will create two unique headpieces shaped entirely by hand, resulting in forms that are fluid, expressive, and one-of-a-kind.

This course will cover key techniques, including stabilising with wire, refining movement through controlled shaping, and achieving a clean, professional finish as well as mounting on a headband or elastic. Time permitting, students may explore light trimming techniques to elevate the final design. This course focuses on instinctive shaping, design flow, and gaining confidence in millinery construction without relying on blocks.

Suitable for beginner to intermediate makers, this workshop requires only basic sewing skills. It is a perfect opportunity for those wishing to expand their creative toolkit while learning techniques that embrace spontaneity, asymmetry, and the beauty of handmade form.

Skill level: Beginners

Leanne’s journey into the world of straw weaving began several years ago. Captivated by the raw material, she has honed her skills through dedicated experimentation and collaboration with fellow artists in the National Weaver Association.

Join this one-day course to unlock the secrets of natural straw. You’ll not only create a beautiful and comfortable spiral headband but also learn a variety of intricate techniques to craft stunning straw ornaments.

Skill level: All. Suitable for beginners.