Millinery workshops are offered out of DeAnna's studio located in the heart of the Mission district in San Francisco. Offered several times a year, the classes are an opportunity to work one on one with a local designer and create your own custom hat. Novice or advanced, all classes are structured to accommodate your own personal sparkle and creativity. Workshops offered cover a variety of techniques including straw and felt blocking, draping and costume hat construction. For most workshops class size is kept to a maximum of 4 students to ensure individual attention. Workshop fee includes all hat making materials needed for construction of one dazzling hat.

Millinery mentoring is available, do you have a project that you are unable to finish? Technical one-on-one instruction in blocking, draping and finishing hats is available to help take your millinery skills to the next level.

If you are interested in one-on-one Workshops, we are offering individual workshops on weekdays

Workshops by request - Interested in a workshop that is full? Weekday + Weeknight workshops available. Contact Us

Workshop gift certificates available

hat making workshops 2023

Unless otherwise noted no prior sewing skills are needed to enroll, novice + advanced students are welcome!

For full details and pricing follow this link - SIGN UP ONLINE

Felt Draping WORKSHOp-Sold out

December 1 + 2 - Friday + SATURDAY 10AM - 5PM

2 DAY WORKSHOP

"Make the free-form felt hat of your dreams"

In this workshop students will learn free-form draping and hand sewing skills needed to create a soft draped felt hat that fits perfectly. Using steam and a basic head shaped block, students will learn to make a small or large brimmed hat of their own design and a variety of techniques for finishing a felt edge. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. This workshop is a great choice for students who love to experiment and the technique once learned gives you the ability to create headwear without a large number of specialty tools!

Students will be provided with the option of black, dark blue, brown, green and a few other warm tone colors. Specific color options can be purchased in advance, with a lead of 3-4 weeks, please make color request at sign up. Space is limited to 4 students to assure individual attention

Little black hat WORKSHOP-Sold Out December 8 + 9 - Friday + SATURDAY 10AM - 5PM

2 DAY WORKSHOP

"Make a small hand blocked felt or straw hat"

This workshop will be a fast moving two-day introduction to the world of millinery. Students will learn to hand block a mini to medium size (think Beret) self-trimmed special occasion hat. The emphasis will be on learning how to manipulate the materials to the fullest with techniques including blocking, draping, cutting and wiring millinery straw and felt. An emphasis on good design and professional sewing techniques will give students the ability to walk away with a self created gem at the end of the two days. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. Hat making materials will be provided in black straw, black felt, veiling and ribbon. If you have any specialty trims such as feathers or treasured vintage trims feel free to bring them to incorporate into your design. If you want to work with a color other than black please make your color request when signing up. Space is limited to 4 students to assure individual attention

Felt Blocking Workshop-Sold Out

Workshop sign upDecember 16 + 17 - SATURDAY + SUNDAY 10AM - 5PM 2 DAY WORKSHOP

“Design a custom felt brimmed hat that fits you perfectly”

In this 2-day workshop students will learn to block a felt into a classic Fedora or other brimmed style using a 2 part hat block. On day 2 students will customize their crown and brim with the hand draping method to create the shape that suits them best, traditional or modern in style. To finish the hat traditional trimming techniques will be explored and students will learn to finish their hat with grosgrain ribbon and a variety of hand sewing techniques. This workshop is appropriate for first time students and continuing students who would like to learn more about hand shaping hats and furthering hat trimming skills.

Students will be provided with the option of black, grey or dark blue felt to choose from. Other color options can be purchased in advance, with a lead of 3-4 weeks, please make color request at sign up. Space is limited to 4 students to assure individual attention.

BY-REQUEST 1 or 2 DAY WORKSHOP -Spring 2024 DATE TBA

Look at the list of past workshops and let me know what type of workshop you are interested in. Once we customize and finalize the details, I will send out another workshop announcement to the student mailing list or if you have a group of friends, 6 student maximum. Workshop space is limited to 4 students unless other arrangements are made for a friend and family group.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP, Spring 2024 DATE TBA

2 DAY WORKSHOP plus pre class online design meeting

“Design the perfect felt or straw hat for your wardrobe”

This workshop offers the opportunity to make a hat by either hand draped or blocked method, in either felt or straw. Jumping off from skills gained in prior workshops students will come to the workshop with a design in mind that they would like to create. There will be an emphasis on designing and constructing with professional millinery techniques and a wider variety of materials and tools will be offered enabling you to make anything from a simple elegant shape to a fantastical millinery creation. Space is limited to 3 students to assure individual attention. - * Please see prerequisite below before signing up.

*The advanced techniques workshop is for students who have taken a hat making workshop in the studio before. There will be a meeting by phone or email a month prior to the workshop to talk about materials and design options.

Join the workshop mailing list to be notified ABOUT new WORKSHOPS

Student Hats

"Over the past 18 years I have had the joy of teaching many students. The process has been a delight and my students have made some really amazing hats. My goal is to teach fine sewing and traditional millinery techniques and to instill a further appreciation of hat making as an art form. Climb the two flights of stairs to my tree house studio and join us for an upcoming workshop."

WORKSHOP MAILING LIST

To join our workshop announcement list, please add your name using the form below.

Workshop Reviews

PAST HAT MAKING WORKSHOPS

FELT FEDORA + BOWLER WORKSHOP, January 18-19, 2020 Saturday + Sunday 10 - 5

“Blocking the shape and draping the pinch” 2 DAY WORKSHOP, This workshop is SOLD OUT but there is still space in the Straw Fedora + Boater Workshop

STRAW FEDORA + BOATER WORKSHOP, February 1 + 2, 2020 Saturday + Sunday 10AM - 5PM

“Blocking the shape and wiring the brim” 2 DAY WORKSHOP

In this 2-day workshop students will learn to block a straw hat into a classic fedora or boater shape using a 2 part hat block and customizing the hat with the hand draping method to create the crown shape of choice. Exploring many options for traditional trimming, students will learn to finish their hat with grosgrain ribbon and a variety of sewing techniques. Space is limited to 4 students

FELT DRAPING WORKSHOP, January 11-12, 2020 Saturday + Sunday 10 - 5

"Make the free-form felt hat of your dreams" 2 DAY WORKSHOP

THE LITTLE BLACK HAT, December 7 - 8, 2019 Saturday + Sunday 10 - 5

"Make a hand blocked felt or straw hat" 2 DAY WORKSHOP

This workshop will be a fast moving two-day introduction to the world of millinery. Students will learn to hand block a mini to medium size self-trimmed special occasion hat. The emphasis will be on learning how to manipulate the materials to the fullest with techniques including blocking, draping, cutting and wiring millinery straw and felt. An emphasis on good design and professional sewing techniques will give students the ability to walk away with a self created gem at the end of the weekend. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. Hat making materials will be provided in black straw, felt, veiling and ribbon. If you have any specialty trims such as feathers or treasured vintage trims feel free to bring them to incorporate into your design. Space is limited to 4 students.

Straw FEDORA + BOWLER WORKSHOP, August 24 + 25, 2019 THURSDAY + FRIDAY 10AM - 5PM

“Blocking the shape and draping the pinch” 2 DAY WORKSHOP

In this 2-day workshop students will learn to block a felt into a classic fedora or bowler shape using a 2 part hat block and customizing the hat with the hand draping method to create the crown shape of choice. Exploring many options for traditional trimming, students will learn to finish the fedora with grosgrain ribbon and hand and machine sewing techniques. This workshop is appropriate for first time students and continuing students who would like to learn more about shaping the crown by hand and furthering hat trimming skills. Students will have a variety of straws to choose from in this two day workshop.

This is a by-request workshop, Space is limited to 3 students.

STRAW DRAPING WORKSHOP, July 28 + 29, SATURDAY + SUNDAY 10AM - 5PM

"Make the free-form straw hat of your dreams" 2 DAY WORKSHOP

In this workshop students will learn free-form draping and hand sewing skills needed to create a draped straw hat that fits perfectly. Using steam and a basic head shaped block, students will learn to make a small or large brimmed hat of their own design and techniques for sizing and adding structure to parisisal straw. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. If you would like to work with a color other than natural or black please make your request when sending the registration form. Space is limited to 4 students.

FELT DRAPING WORKSHop, November 8 + 9, 2018, THURSDAY + FRIDAY 10AM- 5PM

"Make the free-form felt hat of your dreams" 2 DAY WORKSHOP

In this workshop students will learn free-form draping and hand sewing skills needed to create a soft draped felt velour or straw hat that fits perfectly. Using steam and a basic head shaped block, students will learn to make a small or large brimmed hat of their own design and a variety of techniques for finishing a felt edge. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. If you would like to work with a color other than black please make your request when signing up. Space is limited to 4 students.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP, NOVEMBER 10 + 11, 2018, SATURDAY + SUNDAY 10AM - 5PM

“Design the perfect felt or straw hat for your wardrobe” 2 DAY WORKSHOP

This workshop offers the opportunity to make a hat by either hand draped or blocked method, in either felt or straw. Jumping off from skills gained in prior workshops students will come to the workshop with a design in mind that they would like to create. There will be an emphasis on designing and constructing with professional millinery techniques and a wider variety of materials will be offered enabling you to make anything from a simple elegant shape to a fantastical millinery creation. There will be an emphasis on specialty trim techniques and broadening your millinery skill set. Materials fee covers a variety of supplies including: straw, felt, feathers and veiling. Space is limited to 3 students.

*The advanced techniques workshop is for students who have taken a workshop in the studio before. There will be a meeting by phone or email a month prior to the workshop to talk about materials and design options.

BY-REQUEST-WORKSHOP- 1 or 2 DAY WORKSHOP

Look at the list of past workshops and let me know what type of workshop you are interested in. Once we customize and finalize the details, I will send out another workshop announcement to the student mailing list or if you have a group of friends, 6 students maximum we can sign them up. Workshop space is limited to 4 students unless other arrangements are made.

STRAW BRAID WHIMSY WORKSHOP "Make a unique straw braid mini for a special occasion" 1 DAY WORKSHOP

This workshop will be a fast moving one day introduction to the world of millinery. I acquired a small cache of vintage Cello Straw Braid that will be used to make whimsical trimmings that nest on braid covered hat bases. Students will have the choice of making a mini to medium sized cocktail style hat while learning to work with this unique pliable braid. An emphasis on good design and professional sewing techniques will give students the ability to walk away with a self created gem at the end of the day. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. Hat making materials will be provided in a variety of colors. If you have any specialty trims to use or treasured vintage hats for inspiration, feel free to bring them along. Space is limited to 5 students.

WHIMSY WORKSHOP Make a unique mini for a special occasion 1-DAY WORKSHOP

This workshop will be a fast moving one day introduction to the world of millinery. An emphasis on good design and professional sewing techniques will give students the ability to walk away with a self created gem at the end of the evening. Hat making materials will be provided in a variety of colors. If you have any specialty trims to use or treasured vintage hats for inspiration, feel free to bring them along. Space is limited to 5 students.

COSTUME HAT WORKSHOP Make a costume or cocktail hat of your dreams, 3-DAY WORKSHOP

This workshop offers the opportunity to make a costume or cocktail hat of your dreams by either hand draped or blocked method, in either felt or buckram with fabric covering. There will be an emphasis on designing and constructing with professional millinery techniques and a variety of materials enabling you to make anything from a simple elegant shape to a theatrical hair decoration or costume hat. Materials fee covers a variety of supplies including: buckram, fabric, straw, felt, feathers and veiling. Space is limited to 4 students.

REFURBISH + RETRIM WORKSHOP “Transform your vintage + modern hats” 1-Day Workshop

In this one day workshop you will have the opportunity to transform several of your modern and vintage hats to beautiful wearable condition. The emphasis will be on cleaning, steaming and repairing your misshapen hats, refurbishing and replacing veils and trims. This workshop will teach you the basic skills to resize and repair damaged straw, felt, fabric hats and how to store and maintain your newly refurbished hats. Basic repair materials and tools will be provided, if you have any specialty materials you would like to replace on your hats please bring them with 1-3 hats that you would like to repair. Space is limited to 6 students.