5 Days: Monday - Friday
Tuition: $1,275
Ages: 18 & Up
Instructor: Carolyn Racine
Instructional Delivery Method(s): In person
Prerequisites: none
Program Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Program Description:
Whether you’re an avid furniture flipper or just have a family heirloom in need of some love, this 5-day class will teach you all the skills necessary to reupholster furniture at home. Students will gain an understanding of essential upholstery tools, techniques, and materials that can be used on a variety of furniture.
The course will begin with students building foundational skills and getting familiar with basic upholstery tools and materials. On the first day, students will learn how to slip seat upholstery, attach jute webbing, replace and hand-tie springs, and sew welting cord. On the second day, students will be given an armchair to reupholster, remove the old material, and create a plan for reupholstery. On days 3-5, students will reupholster their armchair from start to finish. In doing this, students will learn how to determine how much fabric to buy for a project, the order of operations for reupholstery, how to replace and cut foam to fit your project, how to wrap fabric around curves and corners, how to make welting cord and attach it to a chair, and more. By the end of the course, students will learn how to finish projects with a clean and professional look. Plus, you will get to take home your chair!
All materials will be provided for these projects. If students have a dining room chair or and arm chair they would like to reupholster in class, they are welcome to bring it as long it fits the lesson plan for the course. Please email photos of your project to carolyn@sbwi.edu before class.
*Work gloves are not necessary but nice to wear during staple removal
Learning Objectives:
Basic understanding of upholstery fabrics
How to measure and cut fabric for your project
How to use basic upholstery tools including pullers, pliers, staple guns, a webbing stretcher, spray adhesive, high-temp hot glue guns, and a sewing machine
How to properly remove staples and old materials
An understanding of upholstery materials and how to buy them, including: fabric, barrier fabric, jute webbing, upholstery twine, foam, batting, and welting cord
A wrap & staple upholstery method that can be used on side chairs, barstools, benches, etc.
How to cut foam to fit your project
How to fold fabric over corners for a clean and professional look
The order of operations for a large upholstery project, like an armchair
How to make welting cord and apply it to your projects
How to properly replace jute webbing
How to install and hand-tie coil springs
How to use an industrial sewing machine
Attendance Requirements: Students must attend all days
Location: Sam Beauford Woodshop, 1375 N. Main St, Building 41, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Class Size: Maximum 6 students
Refund, Cancellation, and Complaint Resolution Policies
If you have any questions about this class, please contact the Administrative Office at (517) 759-3070 or email admissions@sbwi.edu.
