Feather Masterclass with Ian Bennett
Dyeing, Cutting and Constructing a Feather Wing
Feathers can be sleek, bold and bright, fluffy and even floral. They aren’t just a trimming , they are an incredible natural creation! In this masterclass, couture milliner Ian Bennett will teach you a variety of techniques for working with feathers for millinery, including, preparing, dyeing, cutting and mounting. The course will take you through several stages of working with feathers and you will then go on to use your dyed and cut feathers to construct a feather wing.
What You Will Learn
In this course, you will learn:
- Ian’s tried and tested techniques for modifying feathers to enhance their natural beauty
- How to prepare feathers and a dye bath for optimum results
- How to elevate affordable feathers with cutting and dyeing
- How to construct a naturalistic feather wing project
In addition, the course includes:
- Beautiful hand drawn sketches with notes to deepen your understanding of feathers
- Exercises to help you practice and consolidate your learning
- Practical advice and ideas on how to use your newly developed skill and where to find further inspiration
What You Will Need
Here is the list of tools and materials that you will need to complete this course:
- 40 x Goose Nagoire Feathers
- Bowl
- Lukewarm Water
- Hot Plate
- Fish Kettle/Poacher/Steamer (Metal – usually stainless steel approx 18 x 4.5 inches)*
- Water
- Malt Vinegar – approximately one cup/quarter of a 568ml bottle/0.25 pint
- Acid Dye by Jacquard
- Apron
- Water Spray Bottle
- Tea Towel (or old T-shirt)
- Plastic Tongs – non-silicone tips
- Mug – preferably white for mixing dye so you can see true colour
- Metal teaspoon
- Access to a Sink or Washing Up Bowl with Cold Water
- Colour Wheel (useful but not essential)
- Jar/Cup (to store dried feathers)
- Sharp Scissors for Feathers (minimum size – 3 inch blade)
- Paper Scissors
- Fabric Scissors (for cutting foundation material)
- Card and Pencil (to make a template for your wing shape)
- Wing Template (Print & Cut Out)
- Foundation Material for Wing (e.g. scrap of felt, leather, sinamay or bias strip of fabric)
- Tailor’s Chalk (to draw your wing shape on your foundation material)
- 1.4mm Hard Millinery Wire
- Pliers
- Masking Tape
- Needle and Thread
- UHU Clear All-Purpose Glue (and a mug to store it upright in when open)
- Sandpaper
- Stiffener (optional)
This course contains approximately 110 minutes of video content accompanied by written resources.
About the Tutor: Ian Bennett
Ian Bennett MA (RCA) has a love of millinery that extends well beyond the mere process of hat-making. His millinery is sculptural, wearable and crafted purposefully to enhance each individual garment in order to extend a personality that will make you feel like a million dollars! That is the feeling Ian always strives to re-create for each person who wears one of his creations.
Ian has loved creating millinery for the English National Opera and many actors in film and costume dramas including Uma Thurman and Robert Pattinson, along with special headwear for H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and Madonna.
Ian has been working in the hat industry for over 30 years and some of his career highlights include winning the prestigious Hat Magazine Hat Designer of the Year Award, working for Royal milliners Frederick Fox, Philip Sommerville and Graham Smith, along with Stephen Jones and Siggi Hats in their incredible workrooms. He recognises that his love for hats is all about drama, perfection, excitement, love and passion. The value of winning the Karl Lagerfeld scholarship and making hats for H.M the Queen at Buckingham Palace have been just two of the many incredible achievements that Ian has accomplished throughout his career.
