Block Making from Flat Patterns

When & Where

15 May 2023 - 26 June 2023 ( 18 hours, 6 weeks )
Evening, Monday
View course timetable
Online

Quick Facts

Availability Yes
Tutor Sarah Lomax
Course Code W22FASC03A
Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

There are a variety of different methods that can be used to create your own unique blocks for millinery; suitable to use for blocking felts, straws and buckram. This particular method of using a flat pattern as the starting point is ideally suited to the online environment and to home working. Traditionally, professional milliners would have made exclusive designs into blocks using Sparterie and specialised chemical stiffeners. This course will show you how readily available buckram, millinery wire and water-based stiffener can be used to achieve the same results. Working from home using the Microsoft Teams platform, you will learn the techniques needed to transform a provided brim pattern into a solid three-dimensional block and gain the skills required to develop patterns into blocks for your own projects.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Use a provided flat pattern to make a small percher style buckram brim
Use buckram, millinery wire and water-based stiffener to reinforce a buckram brim
Use Fosshape to cover the block for added strength and a smooth professional finish
Produce a solid brim block suitable for blocking on multiple times

Cost

Full fee

£145

Concession fee

£110

This course may be available for free

Class format and activities

This course will be held online via the digital learning platform Microsoft Teams. This enables live camera connection via your computer, phone or tablet. During course hours you will work online with demonstrations, video and links provided by your tutor. Teaching is both to the whole class and on an individual, one-to-one basis with each session being a mixture of lectures, discussions and individual work. To get the most from this course some study or completion of activities outside of class time may be required. In order to ensure you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular constructive and supportive feedback from your tutor alongside group work to share learning. Achievement on your course will be measured by whether you meet the learning outcomes above.

Entry requirements

This is a mixed level course. All are welcome. Suitable for people with limited or no previous experience of the subject. Basic hand sewing skills are essential. Basic numeracy is an advantage though not essential. Students must be able to speak, read and write in English

What you need to know before you enrol

Enrolment closes one week before the course commences in order for materials to be purchased. This course will be delivered entirely online, you will receive an email with instructions on how to join, prior to the start of your course. You will need an Internet connection, a PC or laptop, smart phone or tablet. Benefit from a free Microsoft Office account with Email, MS Teams, Office Apps and much more for the academic year in which you enrol. Excellent attendance and punctuality is required from all students. You will be asked to sign a form declaring that you agree to follow college procedures as advised.

What you need

You will need an Internet connection, a PC or laptop, smart phone or tablet. You will receive a list of materials required prior to the course start date. You will also need a basic sewing kit which includes: Hand sewing needles. Pins. Thimble. Sewing thread. Tape measure. Small jewellery type pliers/wire cutters. Sharp fabric scissors. Paper cutting scissors. Pencil and notebook/sketch pad. An apron to protect your clothes. A compass.

What you can do next

We run a variety of other millinery and specialist courses. Please consult the course guide or https://www.morleycollege.ac.uk/courses/subject-areas/visual-arts/fashion/