Modern Upholstery Foundation Course
A 12-week part-time course. Learn to make a beautiful home.
Traditional Upholstery School, Wiltshire, is thrilled to launch its latest upholstery course. Starting in April 2026, the Modern Upholstery Foundation Course will focus on the use of modern upholstery materials and methods.
On this practical workroom-based course students will learn the core skills of modern upholstery, how to plan and set on fabrics, cut and measure, tension and make accurate cuts and folds. The focus is on being able to upholster effectively, commercially and creatively. Students will learn the skills while working on three main projects – a super-useful storage pouffe or ottoman, a headboard and an occasional chair – plus a range of useful sewing and upholstery samples.
The Modern Upholstery Foundation Course is unique to Traditional Upholstery School. It has been carefully developed by our tutors to create a high quality accessible structured course packed with great projects that offer a huge range of transferable skills. It is suitable for complete beginners, sewers and upholstery hobbyists who wish to develop their skills further.
Take three gorgeous projects...
01
Upholstered pouffe or storage ottoman
The upholstery journey starts here. You will earn the core skills of upholstering using modern tools and materials. Planning and measuring, pattern matching, cutting and using foam, setting on and tensioning calico, and creative use of fabric and trimmings. There's plenty of scope to be totally unique.
02
Creative upholstery techniques – headboards and footstools
Explore the creative possibilities of modern upholstery. Learn fluting, shallow buttoning, pleated and ruched borders, and navigating tricky shapes. This project will help you fine tune your skills, learn to work with speed, and open your world to endless creative possibilities. Students make three sample-sized boards and can then go on to show off their new upholstery skills on a full-sized hardboard or footstool.
03
Occasional chair with upholstered seat and back
Build on your upholstery skills and get to grips with springs, and building a pad using edge rolls, firm and soft foams and equivalent materials, waddings and calico. This project will broaden your skills and open up many creative upholstery possibilities. Clever you xx
This Modern Upholstery Foundation Course is unique to the Traditional Upholstery School and has been carefully developed by our tutors to create a high quality accessible structured course on which our students can gain useful skills. To find out more about what to expect, please download the detailed information pack and click on the button at the top of this page. Suitable for complete beginners, hobbyists, soft furnishers and upholsterers who wish to extend their skills.
Course fee: £795
This fee is payable when booking online. There is an option to pay over three successive months. Please ensure you read our Terms before booking. If you'd like to drop in and visit us before committing to booking on the course, do ping us an email and we'll invite you for coffee. If you have any questions do email us. Thank you.
Forthcoming dates
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"I absolutely love upholstery and this course gave me the confidence to do many creative pieces for my own home..."
