Intro to Upholstery for Beginners: The Modern Upholstery Experience

Skip video tutorials. Master the physical, hands-on process of recovering a seat pad from scratch in this beginner workshop experience. This workshop can also be taken as part of our full-day “Upcycle Your Own Chair” experience, where you’ll paint and upholster a chair to take home. Beginner Upholstery Workshop (Modern Methods) | London Learn the fundamentals of modern upholstery in this small-group, hands-on workshop in London. This session introduces the core tools, materials and techniques used in upholstery, with a focus on building confidence and understanding the process. You’ll work on a simple drop-in seat, learning each stage step by step with guidance tailored to your level. Because this is an introductory workshop, the emphasis is on learning techniques rather than completing a fully finished piece. By the end of the session, you’ll understand how upholstery projects are constructed and have the knowledge to continue practising independently. This workshop also forms the second part of our full-day “Upcycle Your Own Chair” experience. If you’d like to combine painting and upholstery and complete a full piece in one day, you can book the full-day workshop separately. Each ticket includes 1 session; we will cover important stages in the upholstery project. Please note this is an introduction to modern upholstery and therefore, although we will cover many aspects, you may not finish the session having completed the seat. Who this is for This workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those looking to build confidence before tackling their own upholstery projects. It’s particularly well suited to anyone interested in furniture restoration, interior projects, or sustainable craft skills. What you’ll learn We work in a small group so the session will be tailored to your skill level and experience. The teacher will be happy to answer any questions you have about personal projects! You’ll gain a clear understanding of how modern upholstery works, including how to use tools safely, how different materials function, and the sequence of steps involved in upholstering a simple seat. The session is practical and hands-on, with opportunities to ask questions about your own future projects. By the end of the sessions, the student should be able to…… • Understand different tools used for modern upholstery. • Know how to handle tools correctly to avoid damage to wood and themselves. • Know why each tool and material is used for specific steps. • Understand materials used for modern upholstery. • Understand the steps involved in upholstering a simple seat/footstool or similar, using modern methods and materials. All the tools we use are basic and easy to buy for your own projects at home. Skills gained at the workshop will be a great starting point for many more of your own projects! What’s included All tools and core materials are provided for use during the session. You’ll work on a practice piece from our workshop collection. Please note that this workshop does not include a take-home furniture item. Practical details This workshop is for adults aged 18 and over. Please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dusty or stained. Some manual handling and light physical activity is involved. Group size is limited to two to three participants to allow for focused, individual support.