Millinery Workshop - FREE IN PERSON

Discover the Art of Millinery with Textile Artist Luisa Cotardo Ever looked at a stunning, custom hat and thought, "I could never make that"? Well, think again—it is much easier than it looks! We would love to welcome you to this unique millinery workshop, led by textile artist Luisa Cotardo. This experience explores the beautifully free-form nature of hat-making, treating it less like rigid sewing and more like creating wearable sculptures through textile design. It’s a craft deeply connected to history and literacy, dating back to the 16th century when merchants trading luxury silks and haberdashery from Milan, Italy, were first called "milliners." As an artist, Luisa’s passion is welcoming everyone at their own pace, boosting their creative confidence, and unlocking their hidden talents. Whether participants prefer the steady rhythm of hand stitches or using a sewing machine, Luisa will guide them through the entire process. You will get to work with feathers, silk, beads, and whatever else their creativity suggests, ultimately leaving with a wearable masterpiece of their own. Luisa Cotardo says: "For me, working with threads—whether through weaving, crochet, or sewing—is far more than a craft or art form; it is my philosophy of life. It is all about weaving in life, interconnecting threads, much like connecting friendships, conversations, and endless possibilities. It is about encountering others, sharing moments, and creating together. You may feel stuck or alone, but when the magic of a good word, like the colorful thread, sparks through a shared conversation, you feel at ease, inspired, and alive again. And simply enjoying the process of making things together". For mor information about Luisa Cotardo and her workshops, please visit: www.wordsandroses.co.uk www.facebook.com/WordsAndRoses Click on the link below to discover the Threads of Elegance: Conserving the Leacy of Beale and Inman taylors https://www.westminster.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-community/archives/archives-showcase-and-community-history#threads-of-elegance-conserving-the-