Creative Arts

The Hat Attraction

Tutor in Residence

Milliner Elaine Mergard made her first hat in 1964 during her training as a Home Economics teacher and that was the start of her passion for hats. Styles taught included French flower making, weaving Swiss straw, blocking felt, covering hats with fabric and stitching berets and christening bonnets. For many years Elaine taught high school students and then at Adult Education and TAFE and continued to make hats for friends and family before setting up a successful millinery business from home in 1990. Her clients included Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce during her time as Governor of Queensland. Elaine has made thousands of hats during her career and all have been made in an old fashioned, traditional way, while reflecting current fashion colours, styles and trends. Unique features of Elaine's hats include being hand-stitched and wired, handmade flowers and shaped feathers. Duchess Kate was awarded the “International Hat Person of the Year Award” and has generated a fresh interest in the art of millinery.

Class Synopsis

The Diamond Jubilee celebrated the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The milliners of the world celebrated her stand of millinery through the years. Create hats using some mehtods used by the Royal Milliners. In this workshop you learn a variety of techniques to make your own summer straw hat, winter felt hat, pillbox, fascinator and vintage cocktail hat all trimmed with a variety of embellishments including hand made flowers using French flower making tools. On the final day create your own free flow design from skills you have learnt during the workshop.

Level

All levels

Materials

A complete kit will be provided at a cost of $250.00. Students need to supply additional items such as plus threads, fabric etc

Enrol

An enrolment form is available either on-line or by printing a form.