Fan Making Masterclass, with Frederick Gay
The Heritage Craft Committee of The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers was delighted that Frederick Gay agreed to run a fan making masterclass over three days in the middle of February this year. Frederick is a contemporary artist and fan maker, and he has collaborated with the Maison Duvelleroy to produce fans for luxury brands such as Chanel and Christian Dior. The students on the course all had some previous experience in making one type of fan and were keen to advance their skills.
On the first day, Frederick showed some of his beautiful fans and explained the inspiration behind several of his works. Students were then taught how to measure fan sticks and calculated how to make fan moulds. This is one of the trickiest parts of making fans and took a while to master! The moulds were then used to make fan leaves. Students were also encouraged to get creative in making a fixed fan. They were challenged to make a flat collage on one side then a 3-D decoration on the reverse.
On the second day, the fixed fans were finished, and Frederick then led a session on making palmette fans, demonstrating how to sew the sticks together. Students then spent some time designing the “leaves” for the fans then practising the sewing technique using 5 sticks. Students then used various materials to refine their original shapes and create lovely flowing designs using 7 sticks. Students were also shown a method for putting the pivot in the sticks.
Day 3 saw students using their moulds again as well as making pivots and finishing their palmette fans. Frederick also demonstrated how he used feathers in fans and gave a brief introduction on how to make 3-way folding fans.
The course was very successful as a vehicle for exchanging ideas as all the students had different skills in some type of craft as well as fan making and learning from Frederick and his considerable experience was invaluable.
We are very grateful to The Fan Museum and Helene Alexander for allowing us to use the Orangerie at the Museum for the duration of the course. I hope that all members and guests were able to see Frederick’s fans which were on display at the February dinner.
