Author: Ilona

A casque hat is a classic 1950s vintage style that invades your face. In this video I will be working with iridescent cockerel feathers on a fringe and talking you through my inspiration and design process.

Milliner (hat maker) makes Beauxbatons Harry Potter Goblet of Fire hat (designed and made for the film by Philip Treacy). In this video I will be modifying a plain crown block or poupee head using rope to create a pointy tip witch’s hat. I’ll also modify a mushroom brim block using hair rats. Then I’ll block and put together the whole hat using wool felt. I also made myself an authentic witch’s broomstick to complete the look.

How to stiffen a felt hood or capeline for millinery using chemical stiffeners. Universal millinery technique essential for beginner and pros. Use chemicals at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety. All health & safety protocols detailed on the product must be followed.

What is the bias? Why is it important to millinery? What can you do with it? Find out the answers in this video. I shall be showing how to make a pin tuck turban and also how to use bias pleats to cover a buckram foundation. Shapes explored in this video include a front twist turban, pillbox and a teardrop. You can use any shape buckram that you like, including: calot half hat, beret, percher, button, teardrop. You’ll need a blocking net foundation for the turban, as well as a sewing machine.

You should clean, oil and service your sewing machine regularly to keep it in good working order. I’ll take you through the steps of how to do this first for a top loading bobbin sewing machine (Husqvarna Viking Emerald 118) and then for a front loading bobbin sewing machine (Frister Rossmann Panda 6 MKII). These steps will be similar for any branded sewing machine, but if in doubt you should check your machine’s manual.

Millinery blocking/Paris/Dior net for hat making turbans. What is it? Why is it? Where is it? An experimental video fusing together science and millinery. I will be testing for starch, making my own starch fabric stiffener, and then making a few different turban foundations.