Live streaming courses

• Delivery: Millinery classes are presented online using the Zoom platform. Workshops can be watched on a portable device or desktop computer – go to Zoom's Download Center to install its software or mobile app (a meeting invitation is sent to students following registration and payment)
• Class size: Maximum of 12 students per session to help you feel connected with others in this online learning experience
• Materials: Participants are sent a list of materials on registration and need to source them from local suppliers (recommendations can be given if needed)
• Handouts: Notes are provided to assist you with the learning experience
• Courses available now:
  
  Ribbon Beret (May 2021)
  
  
• Express your interest:
  
  Freeform with Buntal Mats
  
  Freeform Parisisal Sculpting
  
  Ribbon Halo
  
  Ribbon Origami
  
  

Ribbon Beret (live streaming course)

• Materials: A detailed list of materials is sent on registration, but essentially you will use 50mm (2 inch) wide millinery petersham and a pre-blocked button beret
• Skills: Suitable for beginner to advanced students. You need to be proficient in using a needle and thread for hand sewing
• Duration: 1 session of 2.5 hours
  
  
• Dates (check your local time on World Time Buddy):
  
  Option 10
  Australia – Sunday 16 May 2021, 6pm to 8.30pm AEST
  UK – Sunday 16 May 2021, 9am to 11.30am BST
  Europe – Sunday 16 May 2021, 10am to 12.30pm CEST
  
  
• Cost: $75 AUD (overseas students); $82.50 AUD (GST inclusive, for students in Australia)
  
  
• Testimonials:
  "Louise is an excellent tutor! Very kind and generous with her teaching methods and all instructions and steps are explained/shown very clearly."
  "Really loved the notes that were given in advance, so you can be prepared for the Zoom [millinery course]."
  "Even though not face-to-face, Louise is there to answer any questions, and the live demonstrations were fantastic – just as good as being in the studio."
  "I have been a reluctant online course participant, but was very impressed with this class, and would definitely do it again."
  
  Read more testimonials
  
  
  
  
  
  

Freeform with Buntal Mats – Express your interest

• Materials: A detailed list of materials is sent on registration.
• Sessions: The course has 2 sessions. The first session (1.5 hours) is an in-depth demonstration of the technique. You will be able to work alongside the demonstration to a certain point, then will be required to do some homework before the second session. The second session (1 hour) is designed as a review of your results and for you to ask questions.
  
  
• Dates – Inform location and preferences in the expression of interest form, so we can find a suitable option for you!
  
  
• Cost: $75 AUD (overseas students); $82.50 AUD (GST inclusive, for students in Australia)
  
  
  

Freeform Parisisal Sculpting – Express your interest

• Equipment / materials: A polystyrene foam head, a steamer (but a kettle will suffice), an iron and a sewing machine, along with the materials (the full list is provided on registration, but the essential item is a parisisal cone, also known as sleeve or hood).
• Skills: This millinery workshop is suitable for beginner to advanced students. You need to know how to thread and use the sewing machine, needle and thread for some hand sewing.
• Sessions: The course has 2 sessions. The first session (1.5 hours) is an in-depth demonstration of the technique. You will be able to work alongside the demonstration to a certain point, then will be required to do some homework before the second session. The second session (1 hour) is designed as a review of your results and for you to ask questions.
  
  
• Dates – Inform location and preferences in the expression of interest form, so we can find a suitable option for you!
  
  
• Cost: $75 AUD (overseas students); $82.50 AUD (GST inclusive, for students in Australia)
  
  
  

Ribbon Halo (live streaming course)

• Materials: A detailed list of materials is sent on registration, but essentially you will use 50mm (2 inch) wide millinery petersham and a covered, padded headband.
• Skills: Suitable for beginner to advanced students. You need to be proficient in using a needle and thread for hand sewing.
• Duration: 1 session of 2.5 hours.
  
  
• Dates – Inform location and preferences in the expression of interest form, so we can find a suitable option for you!
  
  
• Cost: $75 AUD (overseas students); $82.50 AUD (GST inclusive, for students in Australia)
  
  
• Testimonials:
  "I really enjoyed it. As I'm away from home and all my millinery supplies, this one was great as I only needed a few items."
  "Easy-to-follow instructions with assistance from the well-placed overhead camera view of worktable. Fantastic as always. Great instruction of the steps. Great handouts/resources. Comfortable and welcoming environment over Zoom. Good encouragement of all students."
  
  Read more testimonials
  
  
  

Ribbon Origami – Express your interest

• Materials: A detailed list of materials is sent on registration, but essentially you will use 25mm (1 inch) wide millinery petersham and 1 metre / 2 metres of 5cm (2 inch) wide millinery petersham
• Skills: Suitable for beginner to advanced students. You need to be proficient in using a needle and thread for hand sewing
• Duration: 1 session of 2.5 hours
  
  
• More dates – Inform location and preferences in the expression of interest form, so we can find a suitable option for you!
  
  
• Cost: $75 AUD (overseas students); $82.50 AUD (GST inclusive, for students in Australia)
  
  
• Testimonials:
  "I appreciated Louise's patience. She is good at breaking things down and explaining them."
  "In a couple of hours we picked up skills to use in so many different and unique ways."
  "Louise was incredible. The instructions were clear and easy to understand."
  
  Read more testimonials
  
  
  

Face-to-face courses

• Students are required to observe the 2-square metre "rule" between participants
• Students are required to apply hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the millinery studio, and before using any shared items: steamers, irons, sewing machines and the toilet key
• 70% alcohol cleanser will be readily available for further cleaning of the equipment and surfaces
• If any student feels slightly unwell, they must not come to the course
  
  
• Location: Room 3, 8th floor, 37 Swanston Street (corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane), Melbourne (view location on Google Maps)
• Materials: Participants are sent a list of materials list required for the course on registration
  
  

Thursday Millinery Class (face-to-face course)

Learn basic traditional millinery techniques to create 2 hats of your own design. You'll be shown how to create a hat from felt or straw that suits and fits you personally. Steaming, blocking, stitching, trimming – all the essentials will be covered in this 4-day course. The course will take place in Louise Macdonald's professional millinery studio with views overlooking St. Paul's Cathedral in the iconic Nicholas Building in central Melbourne.

Dates (4 days in 4 weeks):

Group 3: Thursday 3, 10, 17 and 24 June 2021, 10am to 4pm
SOLD OUT (join the waiting list)

Group 4: Thursday 1, 8, 15 and 22 July 2021, 10am to 4pm

Group size: 5 participants (in line with the Victoria Government social distancing requirements)

Cost: $693 AUD (GST inclusive)

 

 

 

Previous millinery courses

These courses have already taken place and may run again soon.

 

Silk Abaca Turbans

Learn traditional millinery techniques while making a turban. You will block and reinforce a hat base, then shape and drape to make a delicate flowing turban from lustrous silk abaca.

Berets and Caps from Buntal Mats

Learn to make caps and berets from a buntal mat, using a flat pattern technique and sewing machine. These style hats are easy to wear and can be dressed up or down for everyday wear. On this 2-day course you will get the chance to create 2 hats.

 

Buntal Boater

Create a buntal boater without the use of blocks. When you first venture into the world of millinery, compiling a collection of good blocks happens over time. In the absence of an extensive block collection, the ability to make and create a diverse range of hat shapes is a bonus.

In this 2-day workshop you will make this boater style hat and a bandeau support for the desired tilt and fit for this shallow crowned hat. Learning two very useful techniques, creating a structured hat without the use of blocks and creating the supporting bandeau underneath, which can be adapted to any hat you want to give a lift, tilt and fit on the head.

Suitable for intermediate to advanced millinery students.

 

Saucer Hats

The saucer hat suits any face shape and can be trimmed in a host of ways to reflect the wearers personal style. Learn how to manipulate the base buntal material to create this versatile shape. The only block required for this piece is a simple dome block. This workshop gives you a great set of skills and shape to add to your millinery repertoire.

Suitable for beginner to advanced millinery students.

 

Upcycle your Hat

Perhaps you have a contemporary or vintage piece you would like to freshen up? Bring it with you to this evening demonstration and milliner Louise Macdonald will show you how to bring new life to your old hat. Learn how you can clean, restore shape, repair and renovate giving your hat a new lease of life. This demonstration focuses on felt and straw hats.

 

Dior Brims from Buntal Mats

Create a structured "Dior" style brimmed hat from a buntal mat without the use of blocks. When you first venture into the world of millinery, compiling a collection of good blocks happens over time. In the absence of an extensive block collection, the ability to make and create a diverse range of hat shapes is a bonus.

In this 1-day workshop you will learn techniques that enable you to create a hat with structured large down turned brim without blocks, giving you skills to create your own shapes.

 

Twist and Shape Sinamay Manipulation

Understanding the bias weave and how it can be manipulated to create 3D shapes is one of the keys to using traditional millinery materials. In this weekend workshop you will come with a pre blocked base and make several trims including a double-sided sculpted trim. You will also be shown how to create a sinamay brim without blocks.

 

Sinamay Brim Extensions

A sinamay brim extension is a light and delicate way to extend or finish a brim. Learn this technique with Louise Macdonald to complete a parisisal straw hat with a brim. Suitable for intermediate or advanced millinery students.

 

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