Design and Creation of Hats from Start to Finish
A course by Betto García, Art Director, Artisan, and Hat Designer
Learn the techniques to make and decorate original hats using natural fibers
Designing a hat is the perfect way to blow your mind. This is the belief of Betto García, art director, artisan, and hat designer who has crafted unique pieces for British royals, international rap star Cardi B, and many more. Ready for a sewing challenge that will top off any look?
In this course, your teacher walks you through the different phases of hat-making, from the selection of materials to adding the final touches. See how to create your own hat block at home and discover how to achieve stunning finishes and decorate your piece according to your taste.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 15 downloads
What's included in this course?
Start off by hearing Betto García talk about how he came to love hat-making and his main sources of inspiration for the creation of his pieces. He also gives a brief overview of the course content.
Take a look at the first hat ever made and its evolution through the years, before familiarizing yourself with the different types of hats, their uses, and some advice from a modern-day perspective.
Then Betto shows you the wide variety of natural materials and explains what a capeline is. Now it's time to get to work by taking measurements of the head correctly to determine size and how to mold the cork to make your hat block.
Next, see the step-by-step process for creating a Pamela hat with a capeline, from designing and shaping on the hat block to the finishing touches and decoration.
Discover how to work with sinamay fabric for a haute couture feel at special events, and then compare these two different methods.
Lastly, Betto explains a range of distinctly original decorations that you can use for Pamela hats or as broaches or other accessories. Wrap up the course experimenting with feathers and sustainable fabrics.
- 99% positive reviews (122)
- 4,993 students
- 17 lessons (2h 47m)
- 15 additional resources (2 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, German, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create two hats from scratch: one casual and one for a special occasion.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in fashion and all things artisanal.
Requirements and materials
No previous knowledge is necessary, as this is a beginner's course your teacher explains everything along the way.
In terms of materials, you need a basic sewing kit, sewing pins, some scissors, an iron, an assortment of fabrics, as well as sinamay fabric or a capeline.
Reviews
Betto García
A course by Betto García
Betto García was trained in the London workshop of the formidable milliner Edwina Ibbotson when he was just 22. There, he worked on commissions for the British royal family and attendees of the Ascot races. He is currently based out of his artisanal workshop in Valencia and his pieces can be found on sale at the concept store The Curated NYC in New York.
Throughout his career he has worked with Spanish names like Palomo Spain on his debut collaboration at New York Fashion Week, Juan Vidal, and Outsiders Division. He has also created tailored pieces for costume designer Ana López Cobos who has showcased his work in theaters and cinemas in Esto no es la casa de Bernarda Alba (This Is Not the House of Bernarda Alba) and Salir del ropero. Among the list of celebrities who have entrusted him with commissions are international rapper Cardi B, singer Rosalía, and actors Rossy de Palma and Penélope Cruz, to name just a few.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
A little history
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Origin of the hat, its types and history
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Hat protocol and tips on its use
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U3
Creating a hat
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Fabrics and capelines
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How to take measurements of the head and different types of last
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Creating your own last from home
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U4
Creating a cape hat
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Shaped and finished to last with capeline
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Finishing and finishing of the hat
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U5
Sinamay hat production in last
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Modeled and primed in sinamay last
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Finishing and finishing of the brim of hat 1
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Finishing and finishing of the wing of the hat 2
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Shaping and finishes of the cup 1
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Shaping and finishes of the glass 2
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U6
Other finishes
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Creatives with feathers
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Sustainable fabrics
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Finish application
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to the design and manufacture of top and brim hats
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn how to design and craft hats and fashion accessories—from inspiration and sketching to artisanal construction—using quality materials and professional techniques to create runway-ready, editorial, and special event pieces.
This course is designed for those with intermediate knowledge of fashion or crafts, but motivated beginners eager to learn artisanal hat-making and accessory design techniques are also welcome.
You’ll need materials like cinamay, pinopoc, raffia, silk crepe, tweed, and tools such as hat blocks, Ottoman ribbon, needles, thread, scissors, wire, plus basic sewing and hand-modeling supplies.
Techniques taught include blocking on hat forms, straw braiding, covering with fine fabrics, stiffening, invisible stitching, bias tape application, feather decoration, and professional finishing for hats and headpieces.
Yes, you’ll learn to design and make hats and headpieces for weddings, social events, film, and theater, tailoring styles, materials, and protocols to each occasion.
The course will teach you how to select materials and hat styles—like wide-brimmed, pillbox, fedoras, or sun hats—based on the season, event, and etiquette.
Yes, the course covers the historical evolution of hats, iconic styles, and how public figures and events have influenced modern fashion and protocol.
Great course!
The course is very good. Very useful information - from the explanation of the materials to the creation of a last for the hut. Thanks!!
Corso chiaro e preciso
Le cours est très bien expliqué avec des précisions. Merci
Muy buena explicación hasta en los detalles mas básicos