The practice of wearing hats has endured for thousands of years – first for practicality, then as a signifier of social class and now as a gesture of personal style.
But forget the beanies and baseball caps; millinery elevates the humble hat to wearable art.
It is a craft that has reinvented itself again and again as tastes and techniques changed with the times.
WHAT IS MILLINERY?
The term ‘milliner’ is thought to have been in use since the 16th century, but the craft of hat-making has been a sought-after skill for thousands of years.
Today, millinery refers to the making of specialised hats and headwear, often from natural materials such as wool felt, buckram and straw, and formed with traditional techniques like steam blocking and hand-stitching.
Modern materials have expanded what is possible in hat making. The combination of classic and contemporary techniques continues to bring this unique artform to life in the 21st century.
WHAT IS A MILLINER? IS IT THE SAME THING AS A HATTER?
You might have heard both these terms and wondered what the difference is.
In the past, a milliner made hats and bonnets for women, and a hatter made hats for men. Today, a milliner is a craftsperson that specialises in making hats and headwear that are designed for fashion and ornamentation rather than pure functionality. A hatter focuses on hats that are designed for specific, functional purposes, usually with less adornments.
Both professions have a great deal of crossover in terms of skill and technique. The only difference? The purpose for which a hat is worn.
WHY LEARN MILLINERY?
While the art of millinery might be considered ‘niche’ by many, there are great reasons to learn hat-making skills.
- Develop your hand-stitching and material manipulation skills. If you’re used to working with a sewing machine, working with 3D forms by hand gives you a new perspective, further enhancing your sewing skills.
- Train your artistic eye. Millinery is as much about ornamentation as it is about crafting a perfectly finished base. Learning when to add detail, when to remove it, and how to create a polished look from all angles helps to develop your artistic point of view.
- Enhance your appreciation of the past. With the benefit of modern materials and technologies, you gain a real respect for milliners of the past, and for the works of art they were able to create with their often-limited resources.
- Wear the art you make! Never be under-dressed for weddings, special occasions or the Melbourne Cup ever again. Plus, you’ll always be guaranteed to have the perfect accessory to match your outfit or your personality.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT MILLINERY?
Start your millinery journey with our beginner’s class, Introduction to Millinery: Make a Small Trimmed Button Hat.
There are lots of books and online videos about millinery and hat making. But there’s nothing quite like getting hands-on experience under the guidance of an award-winning milliner!
In our Introduction to Millinery short course, you’ll explore classic hat styles and learn basic terminology and techniques as you design and create your own button hat.
Teacher Wendy Scully – whose millinery has been displayed on runways and in exhibitions in the UK, France and Australia – will give you the confidence to explore fascinating new sewing skills and craft a head-turning new accessory.