From making a simple headband to an elaborate structure underpinning a headpiece, mastering how to work with firm millinery wire is a valuable skill to have at your fingertips.

In this tutorial, Martine from Martine Henry Millinery demonstrates how to make a wire-framed strip straw headband.

This design is inspired by 1950s wire-framed hats, so the wire will be on show in places on the underside of the hat. Sometimes, people paint and seal wire (with stiffener or PVA) to prevent the cotton from fraying. For this project, you will bind the frame with tulle instead. Binding the frame has the advantage of covering the joins, so all your work will stay put. Pick tulle in a colour that closely matches your straw. Alternatively, you can make a feature of it and use a shade that works well with your other decorative elements.

You may find this project challenging if you have never worked with firm millinery wire before. We recommend trying the millinery wire headband and wide wire headband projects to familiarise yourself with it before you begin.

Category: Fascinators

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