Millinery workshops are offered out of DeAnna's studio located in the heart of the Mission district in San Francisco. Offered several times a year, the classes are an opportunity to work one on one with a local designer and create your own custom hat. Novice or advanced, all classes are structured to accommodate your own personal sparkle and creativity. Workshops offered cover a variety of techniques including straw and felt blocking, draping and costume hat construction. For most workshops class size is kept to a maximum of 4 students to ensure individual attention. Workshop fee includes all hat making materials needed for construction of one dazzling hat.
Millinery mentoring is available, do you have a project that you are unable to finish? Technical one-on-one instruction in blocking, draping and finishing hats is available to help take your millinery skills to the next level.
If you are interested in Private Workshops, we are offering individual workshops on weekdays
Workshops by request - Interested in a workshop that is full? Weekday + Weeknight workshops available.
Workshop Gift Certificates available
hat making workshops 2026
Unless otherwise noted no prior sewing skills are needed to enroll, novice + advanced students are welcome!
For full details follow this link - SIGN UP ONLINE
LETS FIX IT! HAT RESTORATION WORKSHOP - FEBRUARY 22 SUNDAY 9:30AM - 5:30PM “Transform your vintage + modern hats” Do you have a beloved hat that you would wear if it was not so smashed, small or large for you to wear? Let’s get together and renovate some hats in a fast paced fun millinery studio day. Using a hot block hat stretcher, steam, brushes and hand sewing we will resuscitate your hats, learn a lot about how to care for them and send you off with skills to refurbish hats at home using simple things you already have for upkeep and repair. Students will bring in up to 10 hats to discuss how much TLC then choose 1-2 to focus on repairing during the workshop. Sometimes they need a lot or just a little to make them wearable again, if you have time left, continue working on the other hats you have brought in. This workshop is appropriate for vintage, contemporary straw or felt hats. Workshop price includes the use of brushes, blocks, steamers, specialty millinery sewing materials and guidance as well as grosgrain ribbons, feathers and hat elastics to make your hat look great and keep them securely on your head! Space is limited to 5 students. $125
WINTER HAT WORKSHOP - MARCH 21 - 22 SATURDAY + SUNDAY 10AM - 5:30PM “Create a close fitting winter hat to keep you warm” In this 2-day workshop students will learn to block or free-form hand drape a felt hat body into a small or medium brimmed or brimless hat. When you want to throw on something other than a beanie, small felt hats are a great option. Bring in your favorite winter coat, dress or boots and we can choose the felt that complements your wardrobe. For students who would like to make something sculptural and one of a kind this is a great class to join. Both draping and blocking techniques are perfect for making a smaller hat finished with top stitching, felt trim or grosgrain ribbon, finished with specialty hand sewing techniques. A variety of bucket, porkpie, stingy brim, beret and toque blocks are available for students who want to learn to block felt over a wooden hat block. This workshop is appropriate for first time students and continuing students who would like to further their millinery skills. All materials are included, a larger variety of felt options will be offered in this workshop, specialty felts may require an additional charge. Space is limited to 4 students to assure individual attention. $495
FELT HAT BLOCKING WORKSHOP - APRIL 25 + 26 SATURDAY + SUNDAY 10AM - 5:30PM “Design a custom brimmed hat that fits you perfectly” In this 2-day workshop students will learn to block a felt into a classic Fedora, Bowler, Porkpie, Stingy Brim or other small to medium brimmed shape using a 2 part hat block. On day 2, students will customize their crown and brim with the hand draping method to create the shape that suits them best, traditional or modern in style. To finish the hat, classic hat trimming techniques using grosgrain ribbon and hand sewing will be the focus. This workshop is appropriate for first time students and continuing students who would like to have more experience hand shaping hats and furthering hat making skills. Students will be provided with the option of black, grey or dark blue felt to choose from. All materials are included, specialty colors can be purchased in advance, with a lead of 3-4 weeks, please make color request at sign up. For students interested in creating a more rigid hat brim or would like to make a large or flat brimmed hat, please sign up for the May 30th + 31st Heavyweight Felt Workshop. Space is limited to 4 students to assure individual attention. $495
HEAVYWEIGHT FELT BLOCKING WORKSHOP - MAY 30 + 31 SATURDAY + SUNDAY 10AM - 6:00PM “Create your own custom durable brimmed hat” This is the workshop for someone who is passionate about wide brimmed contemporary hats. This class offers the opportunity to make yourself a new hat with the crown and brim dimensions that you have been looking for. In this workshop we will be working with a heavier weight felt which lends itself to large, medium, curved or flat style brims paired with a traditional or unusual crown shape. On the second day students will take their hats off the blocks and learn to customize them further using the hand draping method. Students will finish their hats with grosgrain ribbon, fabric or handmade felt trims. This workshop is appropriate for first time students and continuing students who would like to learn more about heavyweight felt and further their millinery/hatting skills. All materials are included, the color range of heavyweight felt is more limited, if you want a special color we will do our best to get it for you but need a one month advanced notice. Space is limited to 3 students to assure individual attention. Space is limited to 3 students to assure individual attention. $650
BY-REQUEST 1 or 2 DAY WORKSHOP -2026 DATE TBA “Make the hat of your dreams” Look at the list of past workshops and request the type of workshop you or a group are interested in. Once we customize and finalize the details, type of workshop and date, I will send out another workshop announcement to the student mailing list to announce a new group class on our chosen date. Workshop space is limited to 4 students unless other arrangements are made for a friend or family group we can accommodate up to 6 people in a private group.
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Student Hats
"Over the past 20+ years I have had the joy of teaching many students. The process has been a delight and my students have made some really amazing hats. My goal is to teach fine sewing and traditional millinery techniques and to instill a further appreciation of hat making as an art form. Climb the two flights of stairs to my tree house studio and join us for an upcoming workshop."
WORKSHOP MAILING LIST
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Workshop Reviews
PAST Hat Making Workshops
FELT or STRAW DRAPING WORKSHOP 2 DAY WORKSHOP "Make the free-form hat of your dreams" In this workshop students will learn free-form draping and hand sewing skills needed to create a soft draped felt hat that fits perfectly. Using steam and a basic head shaped block, students will learn to make a small or large brimmed hat of their own design and a variety of techniques for finishing a felt or straw hat edge. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. This workshop is a great choice for students who love to experiment and the technique once learned gives you the ability to create headwear without a large number of specialty tools! -Students will be provided with the option of black, dark blue, brown, green and a few other warm tone colors. Specific color options can be purchased in advance, with a lead of 3-4 weeks, please make color request at sign up. Space is limited to 4 students to assure individual attention
LITTLE BLACK HAT WORKSHOP 2 DAY WORKSHOP "Make a small hand blocked felt or straw hat"This workshop will be a fast moving two-day introduction to the world of millinery. Students will learn to hand block a mini to medium size (think Beret) self-trimmed special occasion hat. The emphasis will be on learning how to manipulate the materials to the fullest with techniques including blocking, draping, cutting and wiring millinery straw and felt. An emphasis on good design and professional sewing techniques will give students the ability to walk away with a self created gem at the end of the two days. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. Hat making materials will be provided in black straw, black felt, veiling and ribbon. If you have any specialty trims such as feathers or treasured vintage trims feel free to bring them to incorporate into your design. If you want to work with a color other than black please make your color request when signing up. Space is limited to 4 students to assure individual attention
BY-REQUEST 1 OR 2 DAY WORKSHOP “Make the hat of your dreams” Look at the list of past workshops and let me know what type of workshop you are interested in. Once we customize and finalize the details, I will send out another workshop announcement to the student mailing list or if you have a group of friends, 6 student maximum. Workshop space is limited to 4 students unless other arrangements are made for a friend and family group.
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP * 2 DAY WORKSHOP “Design the perfect felt or straw hat for your wardrobe” This workshop offers the opportunity to make a hat by either hand draped or blocked method, in either felt or straw. Jumping off from skills gained in prior workshops students will come to the workshop with a design in mind that they would like to create. There will be an emphasis on designing and constructing with professional millinery techniques and a wider variety of materials and tools will be offered enabling you to make anything from a simple elegant shape to a fantastical millinery creation. Space is limited to 3 students to assure individual attention.
*The advanced techniques workshop is for students who have taken a hat making workshop in the studio before. There will be a meeting by phone or email a month prior to the workshop to talk about materials and design options.
FELT FEDORA + BOWLER WORKSHOP 2 DAY WORKSHOP
“Blocking the shape and draping the pinch” In this 2-day workshop students will learn to block a felt into a classic fedora or bowler shape using a 2 part hat block and customizing the hat with the hand draping method to create the crown shape of choice. Space is limited to 4 students
STRAW FEDORA + BOATER WORKSHOP 2 DAY WORKSHOP
“Blocking the shape and wiring the brim” In this 2-day workshop students will learn to block a straw hat into a classic fedora or boater shape using a 2 part hat block and customizing the hat with the hand draping method to create the crown shape of choice. Exploring many options for traditional trimming, students will learn to finish their hat with grosgrain ribbon and a variety of sewing techniques. Space is limited to 4 students
BY-REQUEST-WORKSHOP- 1 or 2 DAY WORKSHOP Look at the list of past workshops and let me know what type of workshop you are interested in. Once we customize and finalize the details, I will send out another workshop announcement to the student mailing list or if you have a group of friends, 6 students maximum we can sign them up. Workshop space is limited to 4 students unless other arrangements are made.
STRAW BRAID WHIMSY WORKSHOP "Make a unique straw braid mini for a special occasion" 1 DAY WORKSHOP This workshop will be a fast moving one day introduction to the world of millinery. I acquired a small cache of vintage Cello Straw Braid that will be used to make whimsical trimmings that nest on braid covered hat bases. Students will have the choice of making a mini to medium sized cocktail style hat while learning to work with this unique pliable braid. An emphasis on good design and professional sewing techniques will give students the ability to walk away with a self created gem at the end of the day. This workshop is appropriate for the novice or continuing student who would like a chance to further their millinery skills. Hat making materials will be provided in a variety of colors. If you have any specialty trims to use or treasured vintage hats for inspiration, feel free to bring them along. Space is limited to 5 students.
WHIMSY WORKSHOP Make a unique mini for a special occasion 1-DAY WORKSHOP This workshop will be a fast moving one day introduction to the world of millinery. An emphasis on good design and professional sewing techniques will give students the ability to walk away with a self created gem at the end of the evening. Hat making materials will be provided in a variety of colors. If you have any specialty trims to use or treasured vintage hats for inspiration, feel free to bring them along. Space is limited to 5 students.
COSTUME HAT WORKSHOP Make a costume or cocktail hat of your dreams, 3-DAY WORKSHOP This workshop offers the opportunity to make a costume or cocktail hat of your dreams by either hand draped or blocked method, in either felt or buckram with fabric covering. There will be an emphasis on designing and constructing with professional millinery techniques and a variety of materials enabling you to make anything from a simple elegant shape to a theatrical hair decoration or costume hat. Materials fee covers a variety of supplies including: buckram, fabric, straw, felt, feathers and veiling. Space is limited to 4 students.
REFURBISH + RETRIM WORKSHOP “Transform your vintage + modern hats” 1-Day Workshop In this one day workshop you will have the opportunity to transform several of your modern and vintage hats to beautiful wearable condition. The emphasis will be on cleaning, steaming and repairing your misshapen hats, refurbishing and replacing veils and trims. This workshop will teach you the basic skills to resize and repair damaged straw, felt, fabric hats and how to store and maintain your newly refurbished hats. Basic repair materials and tools will be provided, if you have any specialty materials you would like to replace on your hats please bring them with 1-3 hats that you would like to repair. Space is limited to 6 students.