Introduction to upholstery - a three day course

​This skills-packed upholstery course is designed to introduce tools and techniques to budding upholsterers. Training for three full days, students build up their techniques working on an antique dining chair, and a modern footstool with shallow buttoning. 
  These projects cover two important modules in an upholsterer's repertiore: traditional upholstery  with hair and hessian; modern upholstery built with foam and equivalent materials. These skills will enable students to confidently carry on upholstering a wide range of furniture at home, from chairs to headboards and ottomans (ottomen?). The course also serves as an important first-step for students considering the professional upholstery diploma.

Module One: Upholster a drop-in or pin-stuffed seat - traditional methods
Using hands tools which have been used by generations of craftspeople, you will learn the correct techniques for webbing a frame, building up a hair pad, and fitting calico to create a perfect domed shape. You will make the chair uniquely yours with the top fabric, and learn to confidently tackle achieving perfect corners – the hallmark of a professional upholsterer.

Module Two: Upholster a shallow buttoned footstool - modern methods
With post-1950s furniture featuring increasingly in re-upholstery work, modern upholstery skills are vital. In this module you will build your footstool frame using foam to create the padded top. Students will be encouraged to think creatively about their choices of fabric and use of buttons. The stool can be made using a simple frame or solid wooden board and ready-made furniture legs. 

Class duration:               Three days, 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Forthcoming dates:      Thurs 7th, Fri 8th & Sat 9th April 2022         FULL
                                               Thurs 9th, Fri 10th & Sat 11th June 2022       BOOKING NOW
                                               Thur 20th, Fri 21st, Sat 22nd October 2022  BOOKING NOW
Fee:                                       £285 (£295 from September 2022)
Suitability:                       Suitable for beginners
New dates for this course are regularly added to the timetable. Please do email us if you are interested and we'll keep you posted so you don't miss out. Thank you.

The full course cost is £285. To book your place, email traditionalupholsteryschool@gmail.com We will answer any questions you may have and send you an invoice of the course fee. Your booking will be confirmed when payment is received. Please read our Booking Terms.

What do you need to bring?  To enjoy the course to its full potential, you should bring a drop-in or pin-stuffed dining chair and a modern footstool for reupholstery. The stool can be a frame or solid wood base with legs. Upholstery materials and sundries are available for use on the course.
Please note: we need a minimum number of bookings to run this course. We reserve the right to cancel the course and will give you two weeks notice if we do. If the course does not run, we will re-imburse you the full amount paid.

"Thank you very much for an outstanding course. I have come away with a wealth of knowledge that will continue to help me to grow as an upholsterer"            Ben, Wiltshire 2019