Welcome to Irelands largest Professional Millinery School!
We offer a large suite of courses. Our programmes are suitable for a broad range of students from very beginners to experienced milliners looking to expand their skills. Some of our workshops focus on technical skills while others are designed as a fun introduction to millinery (that’s not to say you don’t learn some ‘serious’ skills!). Browse through our course outlines below and pick a programme suitable for your level.
We have a great team of milliners that teach these programmes, each bringing a unique skill set and style to their workshop and ensuring by having a mix of teachers you experience the breadth of potential skills from the wonderful world of millinery. If you are unsure what to start with then feel free to email us at beadsbling@hotmail.com for more information. We have hundreds of happy customers and several successful, award winning milliners who started as students in our school!
Our beginner suite includes:
Other courses to complement our beginner suite include:
· Felt Hat Making
· Pillboxes
· Felt Fascinators (New!)
· Bridal Fascinators (New!)
· Vintage Vogue Hats
· Hat Block Making (New!)
· Up cycling Hats (New!)
· Millinery Flowers & Trimmings
· Felt Making Level 1 (New!)
· Beaded Alice Bands
· Tiara Level 1
· Wedding Hair Jewellery
· Combs & Clips
Our intermediate suite includes:
· Intermediate Fascinators (Daytime and Six Week Evening Programme) (New!)
· Felt Making Level 2 – Hats (New!)
· Tiara Level 2
· Fascinators with Gillian Hughes
· Masterclass in Wire Flowers
Advanced Suite:
A number of courses are available as a one to one up to advanced level. If you feel that you have attained a sufficient skill level through our general courses and feel that you would like to concentrate and on learning more technical millinery skills on a one to one level then contact us at beadsbling@hotmail.com
Funky Fascinators:
This is our most basic of millinery workshops and a good introduction to working with materials such as veiling, crinoline and pre-made bases. This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before or if you want to have a fun day out while learning a new skill:
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how to make birdcage veils, sew brims using crinoline, shred crinoline to make fun shapes, use premade brims and shapes to make fascinators, cover fascinator bases with fabric and demonstrate approximately 8 fascinators on the day. You can expect to make 4 or 5 fascinators depending on your pace. You don't need any experience for this workshop and these fascinators are quick to make with very little effort!
2. Step by step techniques on the sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of fascinators
3. Techniques to professionally finish a stylish, funky fascinator!
4. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This one day workshop costs just €75 – materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. The value of the fascinators you will leave with is usually higher than the cost of the course and your materials! As with all our workshops we are more concerned with imparting the skill, rather than styling to match a particular outfit but you are welcome to bring an outfit along to match to if you wish. We will not be able to dye items to match an outfit on this workshop.
Dates: 8th Jan, 5th Feb, 26th Feb, 25th Mar, 13th May, 17th Jun – Sundays: 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
(If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one: email: beadsbling@hotmail.com)
Sinamay Fascinators
This is one of our beginner suites of millinery workshops and is described as a skill based workshop working with Sinamay (the most commonly used millinery fabric). This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before or if you want to have a fun day out while learning a new skill:
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how cut, sew, block and shape sinamay to make a variety of brims, trims, flowers and bias bindings. You can expect to make 1 or 2 fascinators depending on your pace.
2. Step by step techniques on the sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of fascinators
3. Techniques to professionally finish a sinamay fascinators
4. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This one day workshop costs just €130 – your sinamay is included in the cost of this course but any additional trimmings you might require are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. The value of the fascinators you will leave with is usually higher than the cost of the course and your materials! As with all our workshops we are more concerned with imparting the skill, rather than styling to match a particular outfit but you are welcome to bring an outfit along to match to if you wish. We will not be able to dye items to match an outfit on this workshop.
Dates: Sat 3 Dec (2011) 2012: Sat 4 Feb, Sat 12 May & Sat 9 Jun (10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.) - BOOK NOW!
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one: email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Feather Fascinators
This is one of our beginner suites of millinery workshops and a good introduction to working with feathers (a must for all milliners!). This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before or if you want to have a fun day out while learning a new skill:
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how to cut, shape, dye & trim feathers for use in fascinators or hats
2. You can expect to make 1 or 2 fascinators depending on your pace.
3. Step by step techniques on the sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of feather fascinators
4. Techniques to professionally finish a stylish feather fascinator!
5. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This one day workshop costs just €130 – materials are included. The value of the fascinators you will leave with is usually higher than the cost of the course and your materials! As with all our workshops we are more concerned with imparting the skill, rather than styling to match a particular outfit but you are welcome to bring an outfit along to match to if you wish. We will not be able to dye items to match an outfit on this workshop.
Dates: 10th Dec 2011 (Sat) or 24th Mar 2012 (Sat) - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. - book now!
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one: email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Fillie Fascinators
Going to the races or a wedding? Want to be the belle of the ball or the fillie at the races with a fascinator you made yourself? Why spend hundreds on a fascinator to match an outfit when we can teach you to make your own 'best dressed' fascinator! This is one of our beginner suites of millinery workshops and is specifically designed to match fascinators to outfits. So if you have an event coming up and you’d like to make your own fascinator to match the outfit this is the workshop for you! Be at the races after this workshop! This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before or if you want to have a fun day out while learning a new skill and leaving with a fascinator exactly matching your outfit!
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how to create a fabulous fascinator to match an outfit
2. You can expect to make 1 or 2 fascinators depending on your pace.
3. Step by step techniques on the sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of fascinators
4. Techniques to professionally finish a stylish fascinator!
How much will it cost?
This one day workshop costs just € – materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. The value of the fascinators you will leave with is usually higher than the cost of the course and your materials! On this workshop we concentrate on styling to match a particular outfit and you will be required to bring an outfit along to match your fascinator to. We would recommend you bring along pictures of any type of fascinator you would like to make.
Dates: 22nd April, 2012 – 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one: email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Beginner Six Week Evening Fascinator Programme
What a great way to spend your Monday evenings! We run a six week programme incorporating elements of our sinamay, feather, funky and fillie programme on Monday nights. The great thing about this workshop is that as it’s over a continuous period, we coach you over that period and there is continuous feedback.
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how to make birdcage veils, sew brims using crinoline, shred crinoline to make fun shapes, use premade brims and shapes to make fascinators & cover fascinator bases with fabric.
2. We teach you how cut, sew, block and shape sinamay to make a variety of brims, trims, flowers and bias bindings.
3. We teach you how to cut, shape, dye & trim feathers for use in fascinators or hats
4. Step by step techniques on the sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of fascinators
5. Techniques to professionally finish a variety of stylish fascinators!
6. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This six week workshop costs just €350 (a €100 reduction on last year!) – Materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. The value of the fascinators you will leave with is usually higher than the cost of the course and your materials! On this workshop we concentrate on styling to match a particular outfit and you will be required to bring an outfit along to match your fascinator to. Get your millinery career off to a great start with this programme.
Dates: Monday Nights: 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Jan & 6th, 13th Feb – 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Introduction to Hat Making (Sinamay) (Daytime and Six Week Evening Programme)
This is one of our beginner suite of millinery workshops and a good introduction to working with sinamay to create a beautiful couture hat. This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before, have done some millinery before and are ready for hat making or if you want to learn the basics of hat making from start to finish – this is a three day workshop (also available as a six week evening programme):
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how to block and create a sinamay hat
2. Step by step techniques on the blocking, cutting, stiffening, sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of your hat
3. Techniques to professionally trim and finish a beautiful couture hat!
4. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This three day workshop costs just €300 – materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. As with all our workshops we are more concerned with imparting the skill, rather than styling to match a particular outfit but you are welcome to bring an outfit along to match to if you wish.
Dates: 19-21 April (Thu-Sat) – 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. each day - Book Now!
Evening Programme: 11th Jan, 18th Jan, 25th Jan, 2nd Feb, 8th Feb, and 15th Feb – 6.00 – 9.00 p.m.
Please note that for the evening workshop you will be required to purchase your own set of beginner blocks for €70 (as you will be using the blocks over a six week period rather than over three days as with the daytime course).
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one - email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Felt Hat Making
Not to be confused with felt making – this is the construction of a couture felt hat using peachbloom crowns and capelines and making your hat in the age old millinery tradition. This millinery workshop is a good introduction to working with felt crowns and capelines to create a beautiful couture hat. This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before, have done some millinery before and are ready for hat making or if you want to learn the basics of hat making from start to finish – this is a three day workshop):
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how to block and create a felt peachbloom hat
2. Step by step techniques on the blocking, cutting, stiffening, sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of your hat
3. Techniques to professionally trim and finish a beautiful couture hat!
4. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This three day workshop costs just €300 – materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. As with all our workshops we are more concerned with imparting the skill, rather than styling to match a particular outfit but you are welcome to bring an outfit along to match to if you wish.
Dates: 8th – 10th March (Thu-Sat) – 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. each day - Book Now!
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one - email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Pillboxes
This workshop is a good introduction to working with both blocking net and buckram to create a beautiful and age old style of couture hat. This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before, have done some millinery before and are ready for new techniques covered on this workshop or if you want to learn the basics of pillbox hat making from starts to finish – this is a three day workshop):
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how to block and create 2 pillboxes using two different techniques – this is a great workshop to do even if you have done hat making with us as we teach you two skills not covered on any other workshop.
2. Step by step techniques on the blocking, cutting, stiffening, sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of your hat – you can use silk, velvet or straw to make your pillbox
3. Techniques to professionally trim and finish a beautiful couture hat!
4. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This three day workshop costs just €300 – materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. As with all our workshops we are more concerned with imparting the skill, rather than styling to match a particular outfit but you are welcome to bring an outfit along to match to if you wish. Please note that for this workshop you will be required to purchase silk dupion, velvet or straw for this workshop. If you want to purchase in advance of the day email us at beadsbling@hotmail.com to get your materials list.
Dates: 17th – 19th February (Fri-Sun) – 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. each day
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one - email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Felt Fascinators (New!)
This new workshop teaches you how to block wool felt onto small wooden fascinator blocks, enabling you to make beautiful felt fascinators that are right on trend! This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before or if you want to have a fun day out while learning a new skill:
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how block wool felt onto wooden blocks by wet blocking and steam blocking
2. Step by step techniques to block, cut, sew, and shape felt to make a fascinator. You can expect to make 1 or 2 fascinators depending on your pace.
3. Techniques to professionally finish a small felt fascinator
4. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This one day workshop costs just €150 – your materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. The value of the fascinators you will leave with is usually higher than the cost of the course and your materials! As with all our workshops we are more concerned with imparting the skill, rather than styling to match a particular outfit but you are welcome to bring an outfit along to match to if you wish. We will not be able to dye items to match an outfit on this workshop.
Dates: 18th Dec 2011 (Sun) or 16th Jun 2012 (Sat) - 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one: email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Bridal Fascinators
Very ‘in-vogue’ the new trend is for brides to wear fascinators rather than veils. This is workshop covers some of the more popular designs we’ve been asked to make for brides. This is a recommended workshop if you have never worked with millinery products before, want to expand on your range of fascinators or if you want to have a fun day out while learning a new skill (or indeed make your fascinator for your own wedding!):
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how cut, sew and shape fabrics to make a variety of finishes for bridal fascinators. You can expect to make 1 or 2 fascinators depending on your pace.
2. Step by step techniques on the sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of fascinators
3. Techniques to professionally finish a bridal fascinator
4. How much will it cost?
This one day workshop costs just €150 – your materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. The value of the fascinators you will leave with is usually higher than the cost of the course and your materials! We will not be able to dye items to match an outfit on this workshop but would recommend you bring along pictures of any type of fascinator you would like to make.
Dates: 25th Feb 2012 (Sat) (10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.)
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one: email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Vintage Vogue Hats
Taking the timeless elegance of vogue and the current trend of vintage, this workshop is a good introduction to working with pattern hats (and what better ones to work with than vintage vogue!). This is a recommended workshop if you have done some millinery before but have never covered making hats from patterns as covered on this workshop or if you want to learn the basics of pattern hat making from starts to finish as a beginner – this is a two day workshop:
What will I learn?
1. We teach you how to create 3 vintage vogue hats using various techniques – this is a great workshop to do even if you have done hat making with us as we teach you skills not covered on any other workshop.
2. Step by step techniques on the blocking, cutting, stiffening, sewing, shaping, styling and assembling of your hat – you can use flat felt and silk on this workshop
3. Techniques to professionally trim and finish a beautiful vintage couture hat!
4. We provide notes at the end of this workshop so you can repeat the experience at home!
How much will it cost?
This two day workshop costs just €250 – materials are extra and these are charged on a per usage basis only so you control the amount you spend. As with all our workshops we are more concerned with imparting the skill, and this workshop concentrates specifically on making the vintage vogue hats. Please note that for this workshop you will be required to purchase silk dupion for this workshop. If you want to purchase in advance of the day email us at beadsbling@hotmail.com to get your materials list.
Dates: 21st & 22nd January, 2012(Sat-Sun) – 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. each day
If these dates don’t suit you this programme can be completed one to one - email: beadsbling@hotmail.com
Tiara Level 2
