Big, Bold Beautiful Flowers

Join us in this exciting class where we will create stunning floral accents using a few readily available sewing materials and some unexpected tools. These showy flowers can be added to headbands, fascinators, or hats to make a bold fashion statement.

We will use two pieces of fabric, fused together with fusible interfacing, to cut out flower petals and parts. The fusible interfacing eliminates the need to stiffen the fabric and allows for easy manipulation. 

You can use a variety of fabrics, including silk abaca, Paris cloth, dupioni silk, lightweight cotton, or other fabric that can withstand the heat of the iron during the fusing process. The possibilities are endless!

Basic sewing experience is helpful but not required. Please bring a basic sewing kit, including scissors, needles, and an assortment of thread. All other materials will be provided. 

Elevate your creativity and join us for a fun and inspiring journey into the world of big, bold, beautiful flowers!

Saturday, July 12th from 10:00 - 3:00, with a one hour lunch break.

Instructor Bio

Multimedia artist Patty Gravatte founded Gravatte Millinery in 2015 after attending the record breaking 141st Kentucky Derby. Inspired by the process of designing a hat for the event and her lifelong love of hats, Patty's passion was ignited. 

Since then, Patty has traveled extensively, taking millinery classes from world-renowned milliners in France and Italy. She has explored various hat and flower-making facilities, frequented New York's Garment District shops, and visited the haberdasheries of Paris and the hat making regions of southern France, learning many aspects of the trade and collection exquisite, high-quality materials along the way. Patty has also apprenticed with local milliners, honing and perfecting her craft. She is a sought-after instructor for handmade cockades, flowers, jewelry and embellishments

In addition to traditional techniques, Patty gently pushes the boundaries of millinery by incorporating multimedia elements into her designs. She blends paints, inks, stenciling and embroidery with classic handcrafting methods, creating innovative and unique pieces that stand out. The fusion of old and new allows her to explore new artistic possibilities and elevate her creations to a new level of artistry.

Patty shares, "This medium allows me to utilize so many of my artistic abilities, including color, texture, shape, beading, and silk floral design, all in one place. It feels like the culmination of years of artistry coming together in the perfect format. I can use all those skills to create something beautiful, which in turn enhances the beauty and confidence of the wearer."

All Gravatte Millinery hats, headpieces, and accessories are meticulously handcrafted in Louisville, Kentucky, using creative and traditional millinery techniques such as hand sculping and sewing. Each piece is made with high-quality new and vintage materials sourced from makers and around the world.