Traditional Upholstery at Manorhouse

An introduction to the core elements of traditional upholstery

 

Our Traditional Upholstery course has been developed as a comprehensive 12-day course suited to students who want to gain a broad set of traditional upholstery skills, working with traditional materials. This course will give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to work on a range of traditionally upholstered pieces for your own use, or for your clients.

The course runs for 12 consecutive Fridays 9.30 to 4.00 - next start date to be confirmed.

 

We know that many people are looking to learn traditional upholstery skills.

This course is packed with practical, hands-on experience, with much of the theory and knowledge being dealt with during the practical sessions. If you are an absolute beginner or wanting to consolidate some existing skills, this is the course for you.

The course is focused on teaching a range of core, transferable upholstery skills that can be applied to a range of traditional furniture, and that will allow you to begin working from your own space, or to enhance your current job role.

The one day a week over 12 weeks timetable means you can work around any family commitments and still have time to practice skills and techniques at home, as well as study the knowledge elements. Class times are 9.30 to 4.00, but we realise and accept that some people need flexibility, and we work with students to make sure they don’t miss out on any learning.

What You’ll Learn

Practical skills

The Traditional Upholstery course is a structured course designed to provide individuals with the practical skills required to undertake a wide variety of traditional upholstery projects. While there are many different types and styles of upholstery, many of the foundation skills are the same, meaning that once you have mastered them, they can be applied to other projects. Traditional is a different pace to modern upholstery, and the work involved is very intricate, requiring patience and an eye for detail.

While on the course, you will spend your time in our workshop mastering core skills, and practising them over and over, working on frames and furniture supplied by us.

Topics covered :

  • Health and safety induction

  • Identifying tools and their uses and safe use of tools

  • Planning your project

  • How to correctly and completely strip down your project

  • Basic wood restoration including cleaning and reviving your wood

  • Simple frame repairs

  • Applying finishes to raw wood

  • Recognise, select and apply webbing

  • Recognise, select and apply hessians and base cloths

  • Hand springing

  • Recognise select and apply traditional fillings such as hair and coir

  • How to blind and top stitch to build a stitched and stuffed seat pad

  • How to blind and top-stitch an upholstered chair back

  • Fabric selection and application

  • Doing Cuts

  • How to apply decorative finishes such as trimmings, studs, and piping

  • Make buttons

  • Shallow button techniques

  • Hand finish sewing techniques

  • Sewing machine selection and safe use

  • Safe use and operation of overlocking machine

  • Make double and single piping

 

What Pieces Will I Work On?

The course has been designed with an emphasis on practical learning, meaning we aim to provide you with as much hands-on experience as possible. This ‘learn by doing’ focus means that throughout the duration of the course, students get to work on a variety of pieces, practising and developing core transferable skills.

Pieces covered :

  • Drop in seat pad using traditional materials

  • Footstool with decorative technique

  • Traditional sprung and stitched dining chair

  • Fireside/bedroom chair with a sprung seat and an upholstered back

And don’t worry, all the pieces you upholster on the course are yours to keep!

 

Course Cost

£1495

The total price for the Modern Upholstery course is £1495, which can be paid across three instalments.

  • Payment 1 - £495 | Paid at the time of booking

  • Payment 2 - £500| Paid at the start of week 5

  • Payment 3 - £500| Paid at the start of week 9

The only costs not included are your top cover fabrics for each item made on the course, your own furniture, and the ancillary materials required.

FAQs

 

Can I keep the pieces I make on the course?

Yes. All the pieces you make on the course are yours to keep and do with as you please. Keep them as samples to show your future customers or to photograph for your marketing, or sell them to generate income.

I have no experience - is it suitable for me?

Absolutely. The course has been designed to teach core techniques in a progressive way, introducing the essential skills that can then be applied to a range of items. With full support at every stage and time to practice in class the skills should soon become second nature. Mix the practical skills with the knowledge sessions and supporting information and you should complete the course with enough knowledge and skill, and most importantly confidence to continue the journey of running your own upholstery business. And if in the future you need help, or to ask a question we will always be here.

How much space will I need to set up my own business?

It all depends on which pieces you want to make and sell. The items on the course could all be made at home - maybe a spare room, or a suitable garden studio. Your choice of items will dictate the space and equipment needed.

I’m not sure - can I visit the workshop first?

Of course. We would encourage you to arrange a visit and see first hand the environment and meet the team. Ideally a visit between classes will allow you to chat with the team, and then maybe see the start of the following class. Call us to arrange a visit at a suitable time.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. £1495 is a lot of money for most of us. Payments are split into 3 amounts - £495; £500; £500.

The only extra costs are top cover fabrics and legs for your bench seat if you choose that option - everything else is included.

Are modern upholstery skills covered ?

Not on this course. The Modern Upholstery course is designed around modern upholstery materials and techniques and is a quick route to set up a business, making a range of smaller items. You can find details about the Modern course on this page on the website.

Do you sell Gift vouchers?

Yes we do - from as little as £10. Visit our shop - we will email a printable voucher that you can use at home, or if you don’t have access to a printer we can mail a voucher to you.