Elaine Mergard

Hi Elaine,  It looks wonderful and I have already done the first lesson.  I will keep you posted as to how things go. I have been looking forward to this all year.

Diana

hi, Elaine,

 i want to know if i can make a sinamay hat without using stiffener,and what are the steps to do a free form hat, would i need a stiffener?

Thanks Elaine.  Yes if it had not been for those two men talking to you and me overhearing your conversation it would never be.  Some things are meant to be.  I will kepyou informed as to how I go.  Thanks

Diana

thanks for the information.here in Gabon i can't find stiffener,that is why i was asking if there could be way of working without stiffener.

I'm getting along fine, but I am having all sorts of problems with optus and the film dropping out all the time and it also skips.  I seem to be missing big chunks.  I think this is an optus problem - nothing to do with your wonderful lessons.    Is there any way I can download the lesson then I would not have that problem?

Diana

Thanks Elaine, shall try that.  The picture is from one of my business cards.  The image comes from a fashion illustration magazine from the 1950s (USA). I figured that image would be better then  mug shot!!

I bet the corgi takes very good care of "his" people at the center too. They are very protective by nature. Mine always sits between me and the door, just in case some evil delivery man or a mad ten year old boy on a bicycle should give me trouble. He had a horrible time when we had our roof replaced and there were strange men walking around on the roof. He and I went to my mother's house  for a couple of hours because I thought he was going to have an anxiety attack.

Right now I am concentrating on getting a "day job" so I haven't made anything new in a while.

Talk to you later,

Helen

JUST saw your comment today.  LOVING your website and all the BEAUTIFUL designs people are posting.  I'm embellishing my 1st satin hat and as soon as I'm finished with it, I will post a pic.  BLESSING to you.

Rose

Hi Elaine.

I'm so pleased to see your amazing wealth of knowledge available online. The beautiful pieces you made for me inspired me to become a milliner. I look forward to going through your many of your lessons.

Leeanne

Thanks Elaine.  It must be the photo as the piece is made from black crin.  I think the pattern on my shirt is showing through it.   

I do however have a box full of beautiful Kaldor fabric that I have had stashed for a few years that I keep pulling out and thinking 'what will I do with all of this'.  Just haven't been game to cut into them yet - but the time is drawing nearer. 

Looking forward to exploring the site in more depth and soaking up all the knowledge I can.

Congratulations on a great site. 

Cheers

Linda

No intention of disposing of them - I meant that I keep looking at them to see what millinery creation I can make from them. 

Let me know next time you are up this way - would love to meet for a coffee if you have the time. 

I'm actually heading out to Patty's tomorrow to make my first mens fedora.  Looking forward to that. 

Thank you so much for the welcome Elaine. Very happy to have discovered Hat Academy!

Another thank you for the warm welcome Elaine!!  And for kindly posting my Rambling Roses hat on your Facebook site!! I'm happy that you like my work!!  Even though I've been sewing for over 40 years, and making hats since 1990. I have just learned to block felt last winter, and straw this spring!!  I think my sewing experience has lent itself well to an easy transition into millinery!! Yet, still SO much to learn!!  Wish I had another lifeltime!! So many hats to make, so little time!!

Thank you very much Elaine! I am so excited to have joined hatacademy.com and to have a chat with other milliners!

Thank you  Elaine. I can't wait to start my first hat, just waiting for supplies then I can get straight into it. And I can't wait to start your lessons, it looks like my kind of fun.

Thank you for the welcome Elaine.  I've made my first two hats and am stumped in making a beautiful bow, so I'm looking forward to the online support and lessons.  Then they will become my first two 'completed' hats!!

Thanks Elaine. I am so happy i found this website. You have already been a big help.

Hi Elaine.

Thank you for your message. Yes, I have seen hats come and go...more than once! There is a great return to the "hat" now. I am  a small maker and today find a market for made to measure hats. I am the only maker of blocked felt and straw hats here, but there is always the competition from imported hats from the likes of China. There is also the problem of supply of materials too. However, we battle on!..LOL!

Best regards,   John

Thank You I just don't know where to start it looks so good.

Thanks for that Elaine.   I'm out with Patty tomorrow arvo so will mention it to her.  I would love the opportunity to meet up with you.  Let me know what works for you and I'll organise someone to mind the kids for awhile.

Thank you Elaine, Millinery's such a lovely business to work in - it's so nice to be able to virtually chat with otherrs, what a great site! Best wishes, Claire

Thanks Elaine, this is a wonderful site & resource. Yes Mandurah is beautiful, we love it here (moved from Qld 6 mths ago), I am a beginner but looking forward to learning more & getting into it! Kindest regards, Lisa.

Thank you Elaine. I look forward to sharing info on this site.

Thanks Elaine!!!

I am very excited about the hat academy!It is a really great site!!I also really enjoyed the first lesson!Nice tips that I haven't heard before!

Effy!

Thanks Elaine! I look forward to adding to my work and to learn new skills!

Thanks Elaine! 

I love Hats!!

Thank you for the kind words-I made my lady about 10 years ago out of polymer clay-when ever I feel down or unhappy I look at her and she makes me smile-I love hats and am so excited to be a part of this special community-again thank you-Cynthia

Elaine,

Thank you so much! I'm very excited to be a part of this website and get to know the community of milliners here!

Hi Elaine. 

Yes, it's school holidays here, so things are a bit crazy.  Have managed to make a start though, and am looking forward to learning all I can!

A bit nervous, but a lot excited! 

Thank you for all your encouragement!

Marian

Hello Elaine,

Thank you.  I look forward to being a part of this millinery community. 

jenny

Hi Elaine,

That is such a coincidence, and you live in Queensland, my husband and I love Cairns. We haven't been to Oz for nearly 6 years and miss it very much. Do you have workshops? I might just hop onto a plane if you do.  I am hoping to visit Rose Cory in Septrmber for a week long workshop to learn advanced skills. There is so much more I need to learn. I will write again over the weekend. I need to go into the shop soon. Best wishes, Adrienne x

This is one of my hats a friend wore to Ascot this year

Hi Elaine!

Absolutely love the website! There's so many fantastic hats!

Many thanks Elaine

May give the lesson on feathers ago as I think it will help with my bridal headpieces.

Sally

Thanks ! Love Hat Academy !! <3 ∞

Thanks Elaine! Very fun to look through your well designed site, i look forward to reading and posting! DeAnna

Thank you for the welcome Elaine!

Thanks Elaine - have ordered the feathers to have a go at the lesson.

Sally

Thanks, Elaine!  I appreciate the warm welcome, and am really excited to be a part of the Hat Academy community! 

Hi Elaine, a feature! thats great! lol tho i can't decide which picture ^__^ so i think i'll let you decide out of the following, #9, 14, 15, 16, 43 or 65... i trust your good judgement :) thanks again!!

Thank you for your welcome and kind words. This site is a great idea. I am completely self-taught with only the 1920s shop training manuals that I obtained to guide me and my years as a tailor and clothing designer, (pretty much also self-taught. My mother guided me in the basics when I was a child), so it is always encouraging to have someone with vast experience give me positive feedback. I think learning to make leather flowers and others that I have not mastered will be great.  In fact, prior to finding this site, I spoke with a sister who binds leather books about sending me her leather scraps, so that I could teach myself to add leather flowers and other details to my hats.

Hi Elaine, sorry only just saw your welcome.   I know, it seems an eternity since we first made contact.  Congratulations on this site and the lessons, I can't wait to start- but looks like until we get back in to our home and my workroom, I will have to just be patient with 'research' - ever so frustrating. Swing on 2013 for that! I have been lucky enough to add a couple of interesting block finds to 'my family' and also a fabulous collection of vintage millinery pieces including the most divine brim made out of crin with exquisite tubular crin detail, very much like corneli braid work.   until then.. my research will continue. x

Thank you for your kind message Elaine.  I do hope so too.  I bid you good day.

Dear Elaine,

Thank you for warm welcoming message. I am very happy to become a part of the academy members. There are such a creative people in the world and this definitely a place where they gather under one umbrella.

We will be in touch soon again,

Kind regards,

Marge