Once I travelled to another side of the Earth to undertake a course. The course was about hat making. Millinery. Actually, I was awarded a week long course for winning the International millinery contest of Hatalk magazine. So, I flew to claim my prize.The journey was long: 14 hours in the first plane and then 8 hours in the another and 1.5 hours in the plane again and the last bit of the journey was done in a bus. When I began to think that my trip would never end and a rest of my life would be an endless chain of airports/hotels/taxi/trains/stations, the bus eventually stopped.To my surprise, I was not the only crazy person traveling to the other side of the planet to learn about millinery. There were 14 of us plus a special tutor, Dillon Wallwork. It was enough to be just next to him and education process began to unfold effortlessly by itself.

The course location was near Toulouse in the south of France.

A week passed in what seemed like just a few seconds. It was a striking mixture of hat making, a relaxing environment, communication with like minded people and a sun-bathed provincial France in the mid summer sun.Now, the memories I treasure are:

– The Chateau Dumas, the place hosting the course (http://www.chateaudumas.net/the-chateau). Chateau means old mansion. In France Chateau can be anything from medieval castle to just a mansion. Charming interiors, comfortable bedrooms, plenty of fresh provincial air and an uninterrupted pastoral view from the patio, where meals were served – all included in your stay there!

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– The best set up craft studios which I have ever seen. Old beams, going under the roof from one wall to another, light flows through windows on the roof, steamers, ironing boards, sowing machine, hat blocks and tons of fabrics, beads, feathers…

What ever you can imagine needed for craft process were there ready and waiting for you to start. You do not need spent time for search of materials, set up, equipment etc, but dedicate all your time to creativity.

– Coffee breaks between class….and even longer breaks after classes.

Dinners are served in the open air, out on the patio where you enjoy meals and summer sunsets at same time.

– Tasty, light and healthy meals. Just imagine you can eat as much as you want, absolutely enjoy your meal and not put on weight! Ladies, is this not a dream come true in real life?!

Lunch is ready – what a feast for eyes!

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– Morning walks before breakfast amongst sunflower fields.

– An atmosphere of absolute relaxation and free from all cares. It surrounds you as soon as you step in the Chateau and stays with you all the time you are there.

Yet, you do not need to be a milliner to come there. The Chateau hosts variety of craft courses, from embroidery to cooking classes. Well, if you are not a craft-minded person, you still can come as a guest and enjoy local hospitality and cuisine.

If you want to have a look what else is around the Chateau, you can:

– Visit a Sunday market in nearby medieval village and try the local cuisine

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– Visit a local hat factory located in the nearby town. Seems, this factory produces all sort of hats. Men’s hats, women’s hats, children’s hats, felt hats, straw hats, winter hats, casual hats, special occasion hats…..think of a hat and you can find it here.

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While at the factory, you can:

– Try or buy any hat, traditional and not so traditional:

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See how hats are made:

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See equipment which is used for hat making. These metallic shapes on shelf (the left photo above) are not flying sources or Japanese pagodas as you might first think! They are all moulds for hats:

The top and bottom parts of a mould are preheated, a capeline base is put in between them et voila! A brand new hat ready in an instant! Of course, after the trim is added.

When your course is eventually over and if you still have a few free days, you can spend them looking around. Provincial France is charming and has lots to offer…

…See part 2 …