UPHOLSTERY TUITON -THE PROCESS

It is really important for us to understand why you want to learn upholstery....our students over the years have come to us with many different approaches.  Our first telephone chat will help us to determine what you wish to achieve and the vision you have. 

We'll also give you realistic timescales, costs and expectations. Before the next step, you'll need to find your project piece, if you don't already have your family heirloom!

There's lots of sad and tired furniture out there waiting to be reused by you, me and anyone who cares about 'green'.

Once you've confirmed what your project piece will be, thought about your overall budget and made a plan, we'll arrange an Assessment Visit (AV).  This is a very important part of the preparation process, during which we will discuss all options about your project piece, measure up for fabric, show you how to strip the piece properly and set a tailor-made plan before any workshops commence. If you bring your project to us, there will be no charge for the AV. If we make a home visit, a fee of £60 will be made. A proportionate refund may be made if at least two workshops are booked.

Before the first workshop and after the AV, you'll have been busy stripping your project piece, either partially or fully, depending upon our finding at the AV. You'll also have tended to the frame, repairing, fixing and treating where necessary.  

This 'in-between'  time will also be your opportunity clean up the show wood and applying the finishing medium be it paint, stain or varnish...or will you want to cover it with fabric???

We'll guide you on everything you need to get/do during this preparation period.

The main purchases for you will be your project piece and the top fabric to be used for its transformation.  You may also need to think about finishing trim, such as braid or nail studs, as well as any specific materials we will need during the workshops...these will be items that LU doesn't normally hold as general stock...we will give you advice on what to buy and where to get it from.  You might also need to buy some basic tools to use for the stripping process, but we don't recommend buying major upholstery tools at this point, as we will discuss what's best to buy during workshops.

For us, this is one of the most exciting aspects of our tuition process.  At the AV, we will have given you general information on fabrics, but more specifically, advice on what you should be considering for your project piece.  With literally millions of fabrics available, we'll ease the daunting task of trying to choose the right one, by taking the time to fully discuss all suitable options for you to consider.  We'll get samples for you to view and feel, looking at all the important factors ie., composition, style, colour, width, durability and cost! We'll talk to you about the three devil 'S's' (?) and about some of the pitfalls of buying online.

Apart from any specific purchases that we ask you to buy, it's likely you'll need some general supplies from us during your workshops.  What you need and quantities will very much depend upon your project piece, but we'll supply what you need from our wholesale stock.   Materials for traditional upholstery are likely to be more costly than modern method items, although materials such as foam and natural fibre products have increased in price quite substantially over the last couple of years.  We also make a small one-off charge for sundries such as staples, tacks and other minor upholstery supplies. Estimates to help your budget will be made clear from the outset.

Like most of us, Kelly works very hard, both at work and at home.  She was so excited to start the mini chaise course with me and has begun learning about all the industry techniques and tips...you know, the sort of stuff that you can see online, but need someone to actually show you the proper way. After her course, Kelly will be taking home a beautifully upholstered piece of furniture that she will be proud of.

Patricia had five single day workshops in Diss and learnt how to re-upholster a wingback chair, from the frame up.  Having stripped the chair at home, Patricia then worked with me to re-build the supports and upholstery.  The real fun part was combining a beginner to upholstery, a chair with many panels and a shiny striped fabric!  I broke my golden rule of avoiding the three devil S's...silky, shiny, stretchy (there is a fourth....stripey!). 

A most dazzling Turkish woven fabric was chosen by Frances for this beautifully made armchair.  Let's say that applying the deep-buttoning (tufting) to the inner back rest was somewhat challenging......stripes and buttons all at the same time....she cracked it though....patience is a virtue and definitely a key component in upholstery!  See more pictures of Frances' work and final look in 

Student Progress Galler

Sam started her upholstery learning by attending one of the Norwich footstool workshops ....there was no going back!  She'd got the bug and continued her learning with me, creating this fantastic large footstool which the family now use as a foot rest, a table top for cups and launching pad for the little ones!

Mandy is very industrious and was really keen to upholster this stylish armchair from scratch.  She found a stunning vintage fabric and although not enough to cover all the panels, she pattern-matched enough to get 'the look'.  From her learning, she 

is finishing the chair at home on 

her own...well done Mandy.......

after pictures soon please!

Fiona started her upholstery learning with me back in 2015 and is now successfully upholstering a range of pieces for herself and her family.  The first chaise was not the best in quality, but with learning and a bright, colourful fabric, we transformed it into a pretty piece of furniture for Fiona's home. She is now a dab hand at deep buttoning!