Learn Millinery
Millinery Classes Starting Fall 2025
I’ll be offering millinery classes beginning in Fall 2025. There are two ways to learn with me:
1. Austin Community College – Continuing Education
I’ll be teaching millinery through the Fashion Design Department at the Highland Campus as part of ACC’s Continuing Education program. You can find the Fall 2025 course catalog [HERE] (please note: the link loads slowly—thank you for your patience).
2. Private or Small Group Classes at My Home Studio
For a limited number of students, I also offer private and small group sessions (no more than two people) in my home studio. These are flexible in both timing and content.
Private full-day sessions start at $425, ($50 discount for two-person class) plus a materials fee depending on the project (typically $50–$150).
Classes are six hours long, with a 60-minute break for lunch or a snack. Typically from 10am-5pm.
I recommend reviewing my work beforehand so you can get a feel for my style. I teach everything from traditional techniques to more modern, artistic forms of millinery.
Whether you’re a beginner or a returning student, each session is tailored to your interests. My approach encourages creative thinking beyond traditional millinery—while still building a strong foundation in essential skills.
For Beginner Students: Basic Millinery
Beginner students will start with foundational techniques, including straw blocking, where you’ll learn how to shape and form basic straw fascinators. We’ll also explore essential millinery skills such as trimming, finishing, and working with a variety of materials like silk, leather, wool felt, and fur felt. Each class is adapted to your skill level and pace, ensuring a supportive and personalized learning experience.
Intermediate & Advanced Millinery
This next level is for students ready to deepen their creative process and design thinking. You’ll begin working from personal sketches, style boards, or color palettes, learning how to design hats that complete an ensemble or reflect a client’s aesthetic.
We’ll explore dramatic headpieces, studying how to replicate or reinterpret runway-ready designs, and refine your ability to interpret and respond to real-world styling needs. More complex hat trimming techniques and advanced materials will be introduced, all with an emphasis on developing your unique voice as a milliner.
An Apprentice-Style Approach
These classes are taught in the spirit of traditional apprenticeship, where learning unfolds naturally through hands-on experience, individual curiosity, and creative exploration. There’s no fixed timeline or pressure to move from one level to the next. You can remain in Basic or Modern Millinery as long as you like—many students find their voice within a single technique or material and choose to master that path.
Rather than follow a rigid curriculum, you’ll be guided and challenged based on your own pace and artistic goals. Whether you're here to explore, refine a personal style, or eventually craft dramatic headpieces, your journey will be uniquely your own.
Once you pay a deposit via my shop HERE.
1. I Schedule Your Free Video Consultation
We’ll begin with a 30-minute video call to discuss your goals, skill level, and the kind of project you’d like to work on. This helps me tailor your session to your interests and ensure we’re set up for success. I will reach out by phone, text, or email.
2. Confirm Your Workshop Date(s)
After the consult, we’ll schedule your in-person session(s). Workshops run from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with a one-hour break for lunch.
3. Materials Fee Estimate
Your materials fee will be based on the project and techniques we choose, ranging from $50–150 per day. I’ll send you a full estimate and prep list after our consult.
4. Final Confirmation & Payment
Once your date is confirmed, you’ll receive an invoice. Payment secures your spot, and I’ll send a detailed “What to Expect” guide to help you prepare and studio location.
Basic to intermediate modern millinery.
When you have moved past the basic program.
⚠️ Physical Requirements for Participation
All workshops at The Mad Duchess studio are in-person and physically demanding. Millinery is a hands-on craft that requires:
Full use of both hands
Manual dexterity for sewing, blocking, pinning, and shaping
The ability to stand for short periods and move comfortably around the studio
Good vision and hand-eye coordination for detail-oriented work
At this time, I am not able to accommodate students with physical limitations that prevent full participation in these core techniques. This includes—but is not limited to—mobility impairments, significant visual limitations, or restricted hand function.
If you are unsure whether this applies to you, please contact me prior to booking. I’m happy to answer any questions during the consultation process.