Upholstery training.... choose the right course for you 

Traditional fluting

Advanced stitch techniques

Deep buttoning

Intro to upholstery

Lampshade skills

NEW! AMUSF three-stage diploma courses in upholstery

​The Traditional Upholstery School is one of a handful of centres approved by the Association of Master Upholsters and Soft Furnishers to provide training toward its industry-leading qualification, the AMUSF Diploma. This professional-standard course is taught in three stages, each involving around 210 hours tuition, over one day for 35 weeks of the year. Both traditional and modern techniques are covered to a very high standard. Training starts with the basics of upholstery, like drop-in seats and footstools, and eventually leads to learning complex skills like restoring an iron-framed armchair or a hand-tied sprung seat edge. All our one-year courses are based around the terms of a normal school year, starting in the first week in September and running through to mid-July.

WORKSHOPS AND LEISURE COURSES IN UPHOLSTERY... 

Traditional Upholstery School also offers its own range of independent leisure classes and introductory courses in upholstery, plus a range of advanced training courses in specific skills. 

Introduction to Upholstery - a three day course for beginners
A superb introduction to both traditional and modern upholstery techniques, with students working on a traditional dining chair and a modern footstool. This course teaches useful transferrable skills and is an ideal first step into further upholstery training. Suitable for beginners.                      THREE DAYS

Upholstery Foundation Course - 12 week course (one day a week)
This short course is designed to give students a strong grounding in some of the most useful skills in upholstery.  Covering both traditional and modern skills, it gives the serious hobbyist an opportunity to create a portfolio of beautiful pieces and acquire fully-transferable skills so that they can continue upholstering a wide range of bespoke pieces for their home. Enrolling for January 2021. Suitable for beginners.                                                                                                                               12 DAYS

​Deep buttoned footstool - a two day workshop for beginners
An impressive and popular two-day workshop introducing the core skills of deep buttoning. Students make their own deep buttoned footstool to take home. Suitable for beginners.                      TWO DAYS

​Fluting techniques for upholsterers - a skills-building advanced course
Students will learn how to build up a fluted upholstered pad using traditional and modern methods. This creative technique is currently enjoying great popularity. Suitable for those with some experience.  
                                                                                                                                                    THREE DAYS

Continental style springing  - a morning course
Learn to tie down springs the continental way - it's both simple and beautiful. All levels.       ONE MORNING

Tuesday leisure classes 
Hugely popular class for students who want to upholster just for fun. These classes will be back on the timetable in 2021. Chairs, coffee and cake... what else?
  
Saturday workshops and taster days
One-day workshops giving students a taste of upholstery and a useful chunk of time to progress with a project. Taster day offers available for prospective AMUSF, and 12-week foundation course students.

THE LAMPSHADE SCHOOL... creative training in all disciplines

We offer training in all lampshade disciplines, including tailored, pleated and gathered shades, from beginner to advanced levels. These highly sought-after classes focus on creativity and high quality craftsmanship, and bring students from around the world.

​...AND OUR SPECIAL WORKSHOPS FOR 2020

Throughout the year the Traditional Upholstery School hosts special one-off workshops with expert upholsterers and makers, enabling our students to broaden their skills and try out something new. During 2020, we'll be offering stitched mattress cushion making, chair caning, scatter cushion workshops and a new four-day lampshade summer school. More will be added throughout the year.
​Click here for the full menu...

Chair caning with Erica Hemming - new 2021 date coming soon

French-style mattress cushions - now in February 2021

Lampshade Summer School in July 2020

Piped scatter cushions in November 2020