Scraps to Spectacle: Headstrong Foundations in Millinery
Sarah Seahorse
Designed for adventurous textile and fibre artists looking to expand into functional and sculptural headwear, this workshop covers essential millinery and decorative techniques.
Step into the exciting world of DIY and upcycled millinery in this hands-on masterclass with award-winning wearable artist and milliner Sarah Seahorse. Participants will explore flat pattern making, blocking, wirework, embellishment and professional finishing methods to create durable and expressive pieces. With a focus on accessible, unconventional and recycled materials, you’ll learn how to construct strong, versatile bases for hats, headdresses and wigs.
Sarah offers personalised mentoring to help transform ideas into unique wearable forms. Let your imagination roam as you develop multiple concepts and build confidence in shaping, balancing and constructing headwear. Participants are encouraged to bring any textile art, collected treasures or found materials to incorporate. No millinery experience is needed—just curiosity, a love of experimentation and a passion for materials.
All skill levels welcome!
Sarah Seahorse is a two-time award winner at the World of Wearable Art (WOW) Awards and an accomplished wearable artist, milliner, and costume designer living and creating on Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne.
With a background in Costume Design and Community Development, her practice spans fashion, circus, craftivism, and community arts, blending experimental techniques with a bold, sustainability-driven aesthetic.
Known for her flamboyant, detail-rich creations, Sarah transforms recycled, salvaged,and found materials into high-impact sculptural headwear and costumes. She worked as the milliner and art finisher at Circus Oz for a decade, and has also worked with The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, and A Blanck Canvas puppetry studio. Her designs have featured at numerous arts festivals, including through collaborations with climate- conscious fashion collective Fast Fashun. Sarah specialises in facilitating hands-on, neurodivergent-friendly workshops that invite participants of all ages to explore self-expression, storytelling, and wearable art through imaginative reuse.
