Felt & Straw Blocking Workshop

In this workshop you will learn to steam and block a felt or straw form over traditional hatblocks. Students are often surprised and delighted to discover that forming millinery felt and straw is a tactile and physical experience. You will be shown how to maximize your physical strength and leverage to control the blocking process.

Once the felt/straw form is damp and hot with steam it is quickly blocked – pulled-stretched-sculpted onto the wooden block and held in place with tight strings or elastics. The hat is then left to dry overnight. Meanwhile you will learn brim edge finishes such as: rolled brim edges, hand-sewn or machine-sewn welts, bias binding or petersham-ribbon finishes. Once dry and removed from the block, you will decide which brim edge finish is most appropriate for your hat. You will learn the uses of different kinds of millinery wire, how they define and control the shape and style of your hats. The inside of your hats will be finished with appropriate headsize ribbons and linings. You will also learn free form sculpting using steam to create shape with or without hatblocks.

Blocking or molding felt and straw bodies on wooden millinery blocks

Basic millinery stitches

Separating and rejoining felt and straw crowns and brims

Inserting wire in brim and brim edge finishes

Measuring headsizes and fitting hats

Finishing touches - making and sewing adjustable headsize ribbons and linings

Creating decorative trims/embellishments

Ribbons, fabric sashes/bows, flowers, felt/straw braids/novelties

During the workshop we will discuss "the business of millinery". You will be given information for millinery suppliers for felt, straw,

The workshop goal is to complete a minimum of 4 hats from start to finish. Wayne encourages additional hats if time and skill warrant. To accomplish the workshop objective, work is done in stages on several hats at the same time - while one of your hats is drying on the block, you will be finishing a brim on a second and deciding on the trim style for a third. Most work will be done by hand with some light use of sewing machines. You decide how fast you work and how much you do.

Wayne always does his best to ensure everyone leaves with professional looking hats they will enjoy wearing.

Felt & Straw Blocking Workshop Fee: $425.00 Registration and Fee Information

Materials for 2 felt and 2 straw hats plus all necessary wire, findings, headsize ribbon are included in the workshop fee.

(additional felt and straw bodies and millinery trimmings may be purchased)


Blocking and shaping parisisol forms over a wide brim cloche block

Pressing a brim edge finish	Straws on the blocks drying

Steaming and blocking a felt hood	Stitching hand made ribbon rose trim