Millinery Class Information

Discover Hat Haven’s upcoming millinery classes and take your hat making skills to the next level. Throughout the year, we offer a variety of inspiring, hands-on workshops designed to introduce new techniques, refine your skills, and spark your creativity.

Explore our upcoming classes below for workshop details, techniques, and pricing. Custom lesson plans are also available for those interested in a specific millinery technique or a more personalized learning experience.

All materials are included with your lesson, so you can simply arrive ready to create. Light refreshments will also be provided. If you have any dietary restrictions or special dietary needs, please let us know when booking your class so we can be sure to accommodate you.

 

Hat Haven Millinery - Custom Kentucky Derby Hats & Fascinators. Hat maker in Louisville
Statement Bows Workshop

In this beginner friendly, one day workshop, students will learn how to create three eye catching statement bows using a variety of traditional millinery materials. We will explore different bow styles and construction techniques, with a focus on creating sculptural forms that add impact and elegance to hats and headpieces.

Topics covered will include when and how to use wire for structure and support, techniques for achieving clean, professional edge finishes, and methods for creating striking two tone bows from sinamay. Students will also learn how to securely attach their finished bow to a pre-finished hat or headpiece. By the end of the class, participants will leave with three completed bow samples and the skills needed to incorporate statement bows into future millinery designs.

$185 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery - Custom Kentucky Derby Hats & Fascinators. Hat maker in Louisville
Sinamay Trims Workshop

In this one day workshop, students will explore the versatility of sinamay and learn how to transform this classic millinery material into elegant, sculptural trims. We will focus on manipulating the bias to create dynamic shapes and movement, covering techniques for wiring bias strips to form loops, spirals, and other dimensional elements.

Students will also learn how to achieve clean rolled edges, and construct petals for beautiful sinamay flowers. Throughout the class, we will discuss design considerations, finishing techniques, and methods for incorporating trims into a variety of millinery styles. By the end of the workshop, each student will have a collection of sample techniques and completed trim elements ready to incorporate into future hat and headpiece designs.

$165 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery - Custom Kentucky Derby Hats & Fascinators. Hat maker in Louisville
Silk Abaca Flowers

 

Discover the beauty and versatility of silk abaca in this hands-on workshop focused on creating elegant, dimensional flowers for millinery and fashion accessories. Students will learn how to utilize the unique warp and weft structure of this specialty material to shape and sculpt stunning floral designs.

Throughout the class, we will cover preparing and stabilizing the silk abaca for cutting, creating and using petal patterns, wiring techniques for structure and support, and a variety of petal manipulation methods to bring each flower to life. By the end of the workshop, students will have completed their own silk abaca flower and gained the skills needed to incorporate these distinctive blooms into future millinery projects.

$175 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery - Custom Kentucky Derby Hats & Fascinators. Hat maker in Louisville
Crinoline Trims Workshop

Discover the versatility of crinoline in this fun, technique focused introductory millinery class. Learn multiple ways to manipulate this lightweight material to create dimensional trims and dramatic millinery details.

We’ll explore techniques for creating full, playful poofs, soft gathered silhouettes, and sculptural wired edge shapes, as well as shaping crinoline into beautiful roses and floral forms. You’ll also learn how to create a striking crinoline veil, perfect for bridal and evening wear, and experiment with distressing techniques to give your designs a modern, avant garde edge.

This is a wonderful introductory class for anyone looking to expand their millinery techniques and discover the creative possibilities of crinoline.

$150 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery - Custom Kentucky Derby Hats & Fascinators. Hat maker in Louisville
Floating Feather Flowers Workshop

Discover the art of creating dramatic feather florals in this one day Floating Feather Flowers Millinery Workshop, open to students of all skill levels. Participants will learn techniques for cutting, shaping, and curling feathers to create soft, dimensional petals with beautiful movement.

The class will guide students through assembling individual feathers into a large statement flower and cover the essential wiring techniques needed to securely attach the finished floral piece to a pre-finished millinery base. By the end of the workshop, students will leave with a completed feather flower and the skills to incorporate this versatile technique into future millinery designs.

$250 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery Workshops. Millinery lessons. Millinery classes.
Blocking a Sinamay Hat

 

Join us for a two day Sinamay Hat Blocking Workshop, open to milliners of all skill levels. In this hands on class, students will learn the fundamentals of blocking a traditional sinamay hat, creating the crown and brim as two separate pieces before assembling them into a finished design.

Instruction will cover shaping and finishing techniques, attaching an adjustable hat band, and completing the brim and crown edges for a professional finish. By the end of the workshop, each student will leave with a fully completed hat, ready for trimming and personal embellishment.

$425 - Students will need to purchase sinamay prior to the class. All other materials are included.

 

Hat Haven Millinery Workshops. Millinery lessons. Millinery classes.
Sequin Flower Workshop

 

In this one day workshop, students will learn how to transform sequin film into striking floral embellishments perfect for millinery and couture inspired headwear. This versatile technique creates lightweight, eye-catching trims that add texture, sparkle, and dimension to any design.

Throughout the class, we will cover pattern development, cutting techniques, and layout considerations for creating balanced and visually appealing floral compositions. Students will also learn how to construct a wire foundation to support their trim, along with methods for covering the wire and preparing the finished piece for attachment to a hat or fascinator.

By the end of the workshop, students will leave with a completed sequin flower trim and the skills needed to create custom floral embellishments for future millinery projects.

$150 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery - Custom Kentucky Derby Hats & Fascinators. Hat maker in Louisville
Perching Fascinator Workshop

 

Take your millinery skills to the next level in this two day Perching Fascinator Workshop, designed for students with previous hat blocking experience. This intermediate level class focuses on creating elegant three dimensional perching fascinators that sit beautifully and securely on the head. Students will explore the principles of balance, proportion, and placement while learning techniques for shaping and constructing a sculptural design.

Instruction will also cover professional mounting methods and secure attachment techniques to ensure comfort, stability, and wearability. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a completed perching fascinator and a deeper understanding of the structural considerations behind successful millinery design.

$400 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery - Custom Kentucky Derby Hats & Fascinators. Hat maker in Louisville
Veiled & Illusion Brims

This workshop is ideal for students who have completed the Perching Fascinator Workshop and are ready to expand their skills with larger, more dramatic millinery foundations. Students will have the option of creating either a classic veiled brim or a delicate tulle illusion brim.

Throughout the class, students will learn how to construct the wire support frame that forms the foundation of the brim. We will cover techniques for preparing and wiring veiling, as well as methods for seamlessly joining and stitching tulle to create the airy, floating effect characteristic of illusion brims. Special attention will be given to achieving smooth, even coverage, along with tips and tricks for maintaining shape, balance, and a professional finish.

By the end of the workshop, students will leave with a completed brim foundation ready to be incorporated into future perching fascinators or further embellished to create a finished millinery piece. Students will need to bring a pre-blocked piece to class, which will be used as the base for attaching the completed brim.

$300 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery Workshops. Millinery lessons. Millinery classes.
Classic Pill Box

 

Join us for this two day workshop focused on creating a timeless pillbox hat. Students will learn the traditional techniques used to construct a pillbox in two separate parts, resulting in a professional quality foundation ready for finishing and trimming.

Participants will have the option to create their pillbox using a traditional hat block or learn a block free construction method, making this class suitable for both those with access to millinery blocks and those looking for alternative techniques. Throughout the workshop, we will cover shaping, assembly, finishing methods, and proper fitting to ensure a comfortable and secure wear.

By the end of the class, students will leave with a completed pillbox base and the skills needed to recreate the technique in a variety of sizes, materials, and styles for future millinery projects.

$350 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery Workshops. Millinery lessons. Millinery classes.
Classic Boater - Blocked in One

 

Learn the timeless art of creating a classic boater hat in this two day millinery workshop, perfect for students of all skill levels. Participants will block a straw capeline in one piece, creating the distinctive shallow-crowned silhouette that defines this iconic style.

The class will cover essential construction techniques, including wiring the brim for structure and durability, creating an adjustable hat band for a comfortable fit, and methods for securely mounting a shallow crown to ensure the hat sits beautifully on the head. By the end of the workshop, students will leave with a fully completed boater hat, ready for trimming and personal finishing touches.

$400 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven Millinery Workshops. Millinery lessons. Millinery classes.
Wirework Workshop

 

Explore the art of wirework millinery and learn how to create a lightweight, sculptural headpiece where the frame itself becomes part of the design.

Students will choose their preferred shape: a boater, top hat, coolie fascinator, or Breton/halo, and learn the fundamentals of pattern making, wire manipulation, shaping, and finishing. We’ll explore how to build a strong, beautifully proportioned wire frame and finish it with materials such as tulle, crinoline, lace, or fabric to create a light, airy effect while allowing the underlying structure to remain visible.

This hands-on class is a wonderful opportunity to develop foundational wirework skills while creating a striking, modern piece with a distinctly architectural feel. A great class for both beginning and experienced milliners looking to expand their repertoire of techniques.

$350 - All Materials Included

 

Hat Haven - Millinery classes and workshops
Feather Manipulation Workshop

Discover the art of feather manipulation and learn how to transform feathers into striking, sculptural millinery details. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore a variety of techniques for cutting and trimming feathers to create graphic shapes and textures, including diamonds, hearts, zigzags, and other decorative effects.

We’ll also cover different methods for curling, shaping, and manipulating feathers and quills, giving you the skills to create everything from soft, organic movement to more structured and dramatic effects. To put your new techniques into practice, students will create a beautiful feather flower to take home.

This is a fun, technique driven class that offers a wonderful introduction to the creative possibilities of feathers and is perfect for milliners of all experience levels.

$185 - All materials Included

 

Custom Millinery Classes

Interested in learning a millinery technique that isn’t currently listed? Private and semi-private classes are available! We’d love to create a custom lesson plan tailored to your interests, skill level, and creative goals. Message us to discuss your ideas and design a class that’s just right for you.

Hat Haven Millinery - milliner in Louisville Ky. Hat making classes, millinery workshops, dress hats, fascinators, Derby hats Louisville, master milliner, milliners in Louisville
Millinery workshops are hosted in my home studio and are best suited for individuals or small groups, as space is limited. Private virtual lessons are also available upon request for those who prefer to learn remotely. For larger groups, arrangements can be made to host workshops at an alternate location.