Studio Secrets: Millinery

Interesting, but was hoping for more historical milinary techniques. I

I used to hire this book from our libray ...then i couldnt find it one day when i went to hire so searched on line and found it ...

Estelle Ramousse's book, is good, but unfortunately she still uses some of the old fashioned items that you can no longer find at any supplier of millinery. I like the fact that she teaches how it can be possible to create a hat on just a poupee (milliner's dummy head). She uses gummed cloth (jute) but this is rare and only available in France through Artnuptia (buckram is the alternative Medium/heavy pref).The problem I have with the book apart from the obvious is that although internaionally translated, not research was done on finding other European/International Suppliers of the necessary stock and is therefore( the book) only understood by someone with Millinery experience.There are brief instances where alternatives are given, but not on spatarlac for instance (and there are alternative, but greatly involved and adding to labour).Apart from that the instructions are clear and can be followed without too much problems.I must say that Lark Books really has no excuses as it should have a list of international suppliers/stockist because they do publish other Milliners worldwide!(for the Jute you can go to william Gee in Dalston...they have a website but you will not find in there. Call the store and they will put you through to the warehouse. That shop has all sorts of interfacings which you may not find in all textiles and haberdashery stores - but if you know what you need they will assist)

If you are interested in getting to know the feel of a Parisian hat shop, buy this book. I love this!

bought this item as a gift for my daughter, she really loves it, vedry happy with my purchase, as always with amazon.

Excellent

I was quite disappointed by this book.There are no patterns and not really any good practical advice on measurements or on how to make the hats. For the China-style hat, they don't explain at all how to make the pattern accurately, (this seems to be assumed knowledge but I was stumped as to how I could continue) and the pattern for this hat is also the base of the next hat in the book.There are lots of pictures and some good ideas, as well as some funky hats, but there is no real substance to this book as any sort of a practical guide to hat-making. Also, the translation is not great, quite wooden.

I am not sure if I read the same book as the other people but I could not put this down, it enchanted and enthralled me from the very first page.As a complete beginner to Millinery but a competent crafts person and teacher I read the instructions and understood the processes very easily and was impressed with the understanding of conveying instruction which is fundamental in teaching. This lady is a wonderful teacher and understands the need of how to break things down to manageable bite sized pieces!I loved the history that was included and it drew me into the world of millinery and am sure that some of this lady's passion has been etched up my soul and I shall carry that with me to my own lessons and my journey into millinery.An excellent buy that I shall treasure for years to come.