Hand-Dyed Parasisal Straw Fascinator with Laura Del Villaggio

Join Laura Del Villaggio for two days of unique color and pattern play as you learn how to hand-dye parasisal with ombré and resist techniques such as shibori.

We will cover the principles of color and fiber-reactive dye, then students will mix their own dye baths in which to immerse a hood or capeline. After dyeing, students will block parasisal over a fascinator hat block. Recommended shapes include berets, perchers and pillboxes.

Parasisal is a hand-woven straw with a lovely sheen due to its 2×2 weave structure. It comes from sisal, a type of agave. Students will learn how to block and finish a sturdy fascinator base that will hold its shape over time and also support structured trims such as a wired bow.

The parasisal excess cut away after blocking will be used to create the trim. Laura will demonstrate several fun possibilities for sculpting and draping that really highlight the beautiful qualities of this traditional straw.

This is a fantastic course for anyone who has been curious about dyeing but hesitant to dive in. Once you know how to dye parasisal then you can apply the same techniques to other plant-based materials like sinamay, and also offer dye-to-match and one-of-a-kind colors to your customers.

Supplies

• Parasisal straw hood or capeline. Unstiffened. Bleached, unbleached or a very light pastel color.
• Small to medium size fascinator block. Pillbox, percher, beret, button, teardrop, etc.
• Blocking pins
• Plastic wrap to cover your block
• Travel steamer
• Small inexpensive paint brush, flat and approx 1” wide (for applying stiffener)
• Old hand towel (may get stained with dye)
• 1-2 pairs of non-latex disposable gloves
• 1 yd millinery wire in #19 or #21 1 yd
• #5 grosgrain ribbon in a neutral color like ivory, navy, brown or black
• ½ – 1 yd lining fabric such as silk dupioni or silk taffeta to match (or compliment) your grosgrain ribbon color
• Threads to match grosgrain and lining fabric
• Attachment option such as comb, hat elastic or headband
• $5 for kit to be provided by instructor