2010 Maiwa Textile Workshops
Millinery & Felt: Creative Hatmaking
Jean Hicks
$295 (Includes $95 Lab Fee) Four full days

October 12 - 15 (Tue - Fri) 10am - 4pm
Maiwa East, 1310 Odlum Drive, Vancouver, Canada
Class Limit 16
Registration Opens June 21, 2010

What is millinery? What is a hatter? This class will focus on hats, headwear, and trim through several different approaches. Using the ancient art of felt making, the class will learn to use and work with raw material such as fine wools, silks, and cellulose fibres. Students will explore personal ideas and be guided by the tenets of traditional millinery. The history of both feltmaking and hatmaking will be incorporated into the workshop.

Jean Hicks, who joins us from Seattle, Washington, will teach students how to make a felt hat from start to finish. Topics such as what types of wool and millinery materials are best suited for which types of hats will be discussed.

Beginning with raw wool, students will create a hat hood, learn which blocks to use, and finish and trim a hat. They will apply techniques of hand blocking and formal trim and use specific millinery tools.

Students should be able to start and finish two or three hats in the five-day class time. They will leave the course with new skills and enough information to complete hats on their own.

JEAN HICKS

Jean Hicks studied classical millinery under Wayne Wichern. Her sculptural perspective on felt has been influenced by work in ceramics, especially her studies at the Escuela de Artes y Applicadas de Deseños in Vittoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Developing her own distinctive style of hand-blocked felt has lead Jean Hicks to found Erratica Handmade Felt. She has also produced work for solo shows, theatrical collaborations, and interior design. Her work is held in numerous private and museum collections and she is a 2005–2006 Artist Trust and Washington State Arts Commission Fellow.

Her artistic practice is influenced by over two decades of working and travel. jean also holds degrees in history, Spanish, and education.

Student Supply List

The instructor will provide hatblocks and wig blocks for the students to use in the class, but if you have your own it is advisable to bring them (please mark your name on them).

-Bring a variety of trim and notions from your collection for decoration of your hats.
-Examples of personal work (hatmaking or otherwise).
-Personal sewing kit.
-Sketchbook or journal and favorite drawing materials.
-Please bring a bag lunch. All other materials provided.


Look for the full course calendar on the web in Mid May. A print version will be available in June. Registration opens June 21, 2010.