Beginners Upholstery Class

If you’re new to upholstery, this series of six evening classes are a great way to gain confidence and develop the skills you need. Join an expert teacher from Meticulous and dive into the world of sustainable textile art.

During this crafty course, you will be learning traditional or modern upholstery techniques in a mixed class. All students work on different items of furniture, which is an ideal way to inspire you and your own project.

Class sizes are kept small so that you have plenty of personal guidance from your teacher and can get individual feedback. You will learn new skills and techniques to achieve professional results. It's ideal for beginners or those wishing to gain more confidence in furniture restoration.

Guiding this course is Katie, a qualified and experienced furniture restorer, upholsterer and teacher with ten years of experience teaching craft skills. So you are in good hands!

The best pieces to start reupholstering are anything with straight lines, like footstools, ottomans, dining room chairs, and even simple headboards. Bring along one project for the whole six weeks, or work on a few. It's completely up to you.

You can recover your furniture, which entails taking off the top fabric only. This option is faster but requires a more sturdy cushion. Or you can reupholster, this involves ripping off all layers until you get to the bare frame and rebuilding it from there. This option takes twice as long but is a fascinating process.

For either option, you still need a piece of furniture that has a sturdy frame that still has some good years left in it, but may just need a little TLC.

Traditional and modern methods are both taught during this course. Although traditional methods are more time-consuming, it is very rewarding. They involved layers of traditional stuffings such as Coconut Fibre, which are hand-stitched into place rather than modern foam stuffings.

Once you have booked this class and chosen your furniture please send a photo to your teacher Katie so she can check it is suitable. Ideally, your wooden frame should be sound and not require extensive repair. You will also be supplying your own top fabric in your choice of pattern and colour. Katie has some spare materials but you must request them before the course.

You are welcome to remove coverings during the class to receive guidance on the proper use of tools and stripping techniques. In this case, it is advisable to bring the piece along to the first session to receive tuition and then complete the process at home before the following session. This makes the best use of time.

In between each week of the class you are welcome to work on your project in your own time, this means you can make the most of the class hours and achieve even more!

Onsite at the workshop is a cafe, a pie shop and a quick walk to a Sainsbury's store. You are also welcome to bring your own food.

• You will leave with any restored furniture you make.
• You will need to bring your materials, or you can buy them during the class with a student discount.
• Loan of tools, equipment and sundries (e.g. staples, glue and tacks)
• Tea, coffee, and lots of biscuits!

• You will need to bring along a chair or frame you wish to restore.
• Top cover fabric.

This class series runs over 6 consecutive sessions, at the same time every week.