Hobbies

Hobbies, at one time, were not considered essential. They were regarded merely as pleasant pastimes.

With each year bringing longer life, more people are allowed to retire and find themselves with unaccustomed leisure hours at their command. To be happy it is necessary to keep these idle hours filled, and many retired people are attracted to a hobby.

Employers have observed that the worker who has an interest outside of business is a happier employee, and naturally does better work.

Millinery is a money-saving and money-making hobby. Making your own hats as a hobby will keep you better dressed and be a real boon to your purse.

Many women, having taken up the creative art of hat-making as a hobby, have turned it into a profitable business, filling many happy hours and making them popular in any group of women as they are able to discuss the very latest in hat fashions.

Mastering this practical hobby will provide you with many opportunities to express your knowledge, either in business, socially, or by your own attractive appearance.

Importance Of Wearing A Hat

The knowledge that you are well dressed imparts a feeling of confidence that enables you to express poise and serenity, whether the occasion is a social gathering or business meeting.

To complete a costume and be really well dressed, a becoming hat is a must - and the woman doesn't exist who hasn't felt her spirits rise when she wears a becoming new hat.

A hat is properly worn in church, at luncheons, teas, on trains, ships and airplanes. A hat should always be worn when going into the city or a place of business. A rule of etiquette is that hats are worn and left on at all functions before six o'clock. I cherish this rule. It reflects gentility and good taste, and shows respect for your hostess.

Learn to make your own hats. Concentrate on one basic suit or dress a season, but make many different hats to wear with these basic clothes. This will make your wardrobe appear extensive and the knowledge that you are fashionably attired will give you a feeling of confidence.

Designing

Becoming a designer depends on your own creative ability and willingness to give your time, thought and energy to the creative talent you possess. Like becoming a fine musician or painter, it is continuous practice that brings success.

Keep up with style trends by going window shopping in districts where there are exclusive women's apparel shops. Visit the department store's millinery department often. Subscribe to several good fashion magazines. These mediums many times give you ideas for using materials you already have. You may not copy exactly a hat you have seen, but in your creative designing you will often use an idea you have seen by modifying or elaborating on it. Consequently, the hat is your own creation.

Eventually, when designing, ideas will unfold and you will be amazed at the many smart ideas and suggestions you have stored away in that creative part of your mind, only waiting to be expressed. When you allow this untapped talent to escape in a beautiful hat, your spirits will soar and you will strive to have your creations worthy of adorning the loveliest heads.

How To Become A Millinery Teacher

Fundementals You Must Know To Teach Millinery

How to take head measurements.

How to work with bias materials.

How to make a wire frame.

How to make a buckram frame.

How to cover or wind a wire frame .

How to block fur felt bodies or hoods.

How to make a paper pattern for a curved brim.

How to wire the edge of material to frame.

How to block straw bodies.

How to glue fabrics.

How to make ribbon bows.

How to apply trimmings.

How to block a foundation for a draped turban.

How to work with satin or taffeta.

How to bead hats.

How to swirl head bands and make hat linings.

How to work with wool felt.

How to use all stitches.

How to make a straw hat using a buckram frame as a bio ck.

How to make a straw hat on a block.

All of the above items are taught in my books. There are many more things in my books to learn as you continue your teaching, but the items mentioned above you must really know how to do yourself, with professional results, before you attempt to teach others.

It takes real practice and patience, just as any other profession, but after you have acquired this knowledge and start to teach others , your efforts will be rewarded handsomely. By using a few of your idle hours teaching this thrilling art, the financial returns are almost unbelievable.

How To Form Classes

Tell your friends that you are forming a millinery class.

Put a notice in church folders.

Put a notice in women's clubs.

Put a notice in public schools.

Put a notice in 4-H clubs.

Place an ad in the local paper.

How Many In A C Lass

Four to ten in a class. A class of four students, of course, gets almost individual instruction, and is able to get more out of ten lessons than the students in a class often; however, the class of four will pay accordingly.

How Many Lessons In A Series

I teach in groups of ten lessons and, nearly always, students will want to continue after they have had ten lessons. Then, sell them 10 more lessons.

Some Women's Club members like to take ten lessons in the Fall and ten lessons in the Spring. This schedule helps them keep their hat wardrobe up-to-date while learning this practical art.

How To Price Lessons

4 in a class - 2 1/2 hours - 10 lessons - $30. 00 or $3. 00 per lesson 6 in a class - 2 1/2 hours - 10 lessons - $20. 00 or $2. 00 per lesson 10 or more - 2 1/2 hours - 10 lessons - $12. 50 or $1. 25 per lesson

These prices pay you about $5. 00 per hour. However, you will find in many cases, by the time you give last instructions for homework, etc. , that another half hour will be needed. As the classes progress, you will be eager to give a little more time, especially when your students are commencing to turn out professional work.

Always remember to give instructions in a pleasant mood, no matter how many times you have answered the same questions. Remember, this is all new to the student, and she is trying to learn all she can about the "art of hat-making".

The criticism I have most often heard, students express about learning millinery, is the impatience of many teachers. This is brought to the attention of new teachers so that you will be able to guard against this point, if you are so inclined.

To give your students the best of your millinery knowledge and patiently show them how, every step of the way, your students will turn out better work, adding to your prestige and the demand for your service as a teacher.

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