Workshop with Master Milliner, Neil Grigg

Attended an amazing 4-day workshop recently.  The workshop was hosted by wonderful Milliner at Buderim, Queensland (Hats by Sandy A).

Hat makers came from all over Queensland to learn from Master Milliner - Neil Grigg.  Neil commented that it was wonderful to see such colour for winter (yes winter here in Australia).  Yes Queensland girls like a bit of colour - note you don't see much black in amongst all this lot.

Not all the photos below are mine - just a sample of the variety of work we completed in the workshop.  Just bliss to think only about hats for four whole days!

Making Fabric Flowers for Fascinator for St Patrick's Race Day

Just got a little sidetracked from my previous post about making silk roses for a bride.  I made these on the weekend for a headpiece for a georgous girl going to the St Patrick's Race Day. 

These are dog roses and are dead easy to make.  I really like these flowers as they sit quite flat - sometime you need a flatter flower.

Just to make sure you understand - both these will not be on the same hat.  The green silk flowers are for the fascinator and the other one is made from cotton.  I always think it is so amazing that changing the fabric can change the whole look.

I have sold  these dog roses with a little attachment at the back so you can thread it through a headband, use as a brooch or use on a thin belt or ribbon around the waist.

Flower Headpieces - Couture Fashion Week

Wow - you can see why I love flower making - so many possibilities.  This would be amazing for Spring Carnival Racing in September in Australia.  Us Queensland girls love  big statement headwear with lots of colour and nothing too sublte!

They were part of a presentation held at the Shangri-La hotel as part of Couture Fashion Week.

The link below is great to follow and have a good look at what else was presented.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2091189/Couture-Fashion-Week-2012-Eye-catching-Ascot-style-millinery-floods-Paris-catwalk.html#ixzz1l7MKrFNd

How to Make Silk Flowers - The first bit - stiffening the fabric...

I am currently making roses for a wedding headpiece for a lovely bride.  Step one in the process is to choose the fabric and stiffen the fabric.

Fabric Stiffening Recipe for Silk Flowers
This recipe was given to me during a millinery workshop conducted by fabulous Australian milliner Neil Grigg. Thanks Neil this recipe is a cracker!

1. 420ml water– bring to boil in a saucepan
2. Mix together 20ml of cornstarch/cornflour with 20ml of water – it will make a thin paste
3. Pour cornstarch paste into the boiling water
4. Keep stirring until the mixture boils and thickens
5. Add 40ml of PVA glue – hold high and trickle in while continuing to stir until all is combined
6. Pour into a glass bottle and cool before use
7. This will keep about 7 -10 days.

Use a paintbrush to apply to fabric. Peg onto line and wait until fabric is dry and becomes stiff.

 Here are some petals cut out from stiffened fabric.  The brass tools are used in the next step.

Celebrating Australia Day - Millinery Ingenuity

Aussies today are celebrating Australia Day .  It is a public holiday so have just spent a  morning with friends and thinking about what makes Australia such a great place to live, having a laugh and not taking ourselves too seriously at all. 

I found this clip on the Film Australia site.  It shows  how it is possible to have one hat but 3 different looks.  The designer obviously takes his work very seriously.


Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

Fashions on the Field at Melbourne Cup 2011

I just love the diversity of hats and colours.  Queensland girls always go for a big hat and plenty of colour.  Sigh! Why can't we wear a hat every day.

Have a look at some of the amazing hats snapped at last year's  Melbourne Cup.

http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/lifestyle/fashion/fashions-on-the-field/melbourne-cup-2011-fashion-highlights-20111101-1mt6m.html?selectedImage=0

A pretty little hat at Ascot?

I was trawling about the internet and came across this amazing photo of a groovy lady at  the Ascot Races in England last year.    I absolutely adore her pink gloves.

I wonder if a hat can ever be considered too big? The photo does not show her handbag - I wonder if she went with something equally as subtle.

Perhaps I am underestimating the versatility of this headpiece  - it could double as a bed swag or a picnic blanket.