MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF MILLINERY
Where skill and imagination meet.
Foundation Millinery Course
Felt, straw, wirework, fabric-covered hats and couture trims have been selected as the foundation for your journey into millinery.
Learn essential traditional and contemporary millinery techniques and begin developing your practical hat-making skills through these five hands-on millinery courses in Melbourne.
Choose one unit at a time or complete all five units to build a strong foundation in millinery. Whether you are learning millinery as a creative hobby or taking the first steps towards a career as a milliner, these courses provide the essential skills and techniques to begin your journey.
Students who successfully complete all five units will receive a Melbourne School of Millinery Foundation Certificate in Millinery, recognising their completion of the full foundation program.
FELT
Foundation A
20 hours - 4 x 5 hours
Maximum class size 6
30 minute lunch break included
One and two-piece Felt Hats
Learn the foundation techniques of felt blocking to create both a one-piece and a two-piece hat, exploring different lining and professional finishing options.
Learn how to telescope and manipulate felt to create a variety of shapes and looks from a basic millinery block, expanding the creative possibilities of traditional felt blocking.
Outcome: Two completed hats plus technique samples.
Some homework may be required to complete the course outcomes.
Comprehensive course notes provided.
Materials list will be sent upon enrolment.
Approximate cost of material $300
Second hand felts are welcomed but outcomes will vary.
STRAW
Foundation B
20 hours - 4 x 5 hours
Maximum class size 6
30 minute lunch break included
Sinamay and Parasisal
Learn to block Sinamay and Parasisal straw using traditional millinery techniques to create a two-piece hat and a one piece cocktail /hat.
Explore a range of professional finishing techniques, including a beautiful blind edge, to achieve a refined, high-quality finish.
Outcome: Two completed hats plus technique samples.
Some homework may be required to complete the course outcomes.
Course notes provided.
Materials list will be sent upon enrolment.
Approximate cost of material $ 200
FABRIC COVERED HATS
Foundation C
15 hours - 3 x 5 hours
Maximum class size 6
30 minute lunch break included
Fabric Covered Hats
This unit introduces students to the techniques used to professionally cover blocked millinery foundations with fabric introducing techniques suitable for a variety of fabrics and hat shapes.
Students will learn how to block a foundation, prepare, cut, manipulate and apply fabric to achieve a smooth and professional finish. Projects will include both a tip and side band hat and a cocktail piece, introducing techniques suitable for a variety of fabrics and hat shapes.
Outcome: Two completed hats plus technique samples.
Some homework may be required to complete the course outcomes.
Course notes provided.
Materials list will be sent upon enrolment.
Approximate cost of material $100
WIRE-WORK
Foundation D
10 hours - 2 x 5 hours
Maximum class size 6
30 minute lunch break included
Wire based millinery
This unit introduces students to the techniques used to construct wirework foundations for millinery, exploring how wire can be shaped, joined and covered to create lightweight, supportive hat frames.
Students will learn how to measure, cut, shape, join and bind millinery wire, developing secure construction methods and balanced proportions. introducing techniques suitable for a variety of shapes and design than can be used as a base or as a feature.
Outcome: A wired headband and a covered wire construction.
Some homework may be required to complete the course outcomes.
Course notes provided.
Materials list will be sent upon enrolment.
Approximate cost of material $45
COUTURE TRIMS
Foundation E
10 hours - 2 x 5 hours
Maximum class size 6
30 minute lunch break included
Flowers , Feathers and Ribbons
This unit introduces students to couture trimming techniques for millinery, exploring how feathers, flowers and ribbon work can be used to create distinctive hat embellishments.
Students will learn how to prepare, shape and trim feathers, construct silk flowers, and fold and manipulate ribbon into decorative trims. The unit also covers combining materials, creating balanced arrangements and securely attaching trims for a professional finish.
Outcome: A collection of trimming samples and a completed couture trim combining selected techniques.
Course notes provided.
Materials list will be sent upon enrolment.
Approximate cost of material $ 50