I was able to join a class in Millinery taught by Kate Pernia at Houston's Community College. It was a beginning class. I had been making hats for theatrical productions for years but had never had any lessons. Kate was a delightful and patient instructor and managed in an all too brief course to improve my millinery skills by 100 % at least.
Claremarie Verheyen
Costume Designer and Director of Costume
University of Houston Drama Dept.
Kate taught my middle school daughter and her friends how to make a hat -- each girl took away an authentic hat and memories of creating something that was a little bit different and a whole lot special. My daughter is in high school now, and continuing her passion with textile art. Kate's super fun, positive energy, and amazing skills, made this a very unique experience. Kate taught my daughter how to sew just a little bit, to love creating, and to seek ways to follow her art. We loved every minute of millinery with Kate!
Kim Baxter
Arlington, Virginia
Kate introduced me to an art form and with her knowledge and skill made it something I could learn and do for myself.
Beryl Mack
Asheville, North Carolina
My daughter, Salome, expressed an interest in a tea party for her 10th birthday so we started looking for a proper tea party hat. When I shared this search with Kate, she offered to teach Salome how to make a hat, and we decided to give it a try! In two 2 hour sessions, Kate walked her through making a hat from scratch - starting with forming the hat out of straw, and taking her all the way through a ribbon rose embellishment. The hat turned out so beautifully, and Salome learned so many sewing techniques along the way. The hat is definitely a keepsake, and not just for display - it will be wearable for the rest of her life. Kate’s lessons were so much more than sewing and hat-making - they were also a study in creativity, design, and craftsmanship.
Sara Hjelstrom
Alexandria, Virginia
Taking lessons from Kate has opened a whole new world to me. Both as personal expression - who doesn’t want to be a hat lady - and professionally. Since studying with Kate I have expanded my creative skill set to include millinery. Kate will tell you “how to do it” but never “what to do”. Her knowledge and craftsmanship is so inspiring. I have since created for The Washington Opera, as well as multiple small area theatres. Everybody appreciates a good hat!!
Nancy Mendez
Costume Construction for Happenstance Theatre
Silver Spring, Maryland
