Lucy Thomas
Lucy is a designer maker living and working in East Sussex. She produces modern upholstered footstools. Useful objects, made well. Her practice is informed by the idea that “If you can’t fix it, you don’t own it”.
Ref: S2D31628
On this two-day course, make your very own ‘Rounded by’ upholstered modern two seater birchwood bench. In this fun, informal, friendly introduction to upholstery, you will gain experience and confidence with a mix of modern and traditional upholstery tools and principles. With a focus on sustainable design, you will take home a finished piece.
You will learn methods using pre-cut and treated birchwood leg frames and bases.
Use natural latex, hair and coconut filler, which you will cut to form in the studio.
You will learn how to use traditional tools, including magnetic tack hammers, tack lifters, mallets and regulators.
You will shape the filler, and apply and fix edge rolls.
You will tension the upper upholstered section with the calico and tack. Then you will cover the upper in top fabric, and secure using electric staple guns.
If using buttons and piping, these will be applied by sewing bespoke piping and learning button knots.
You will attach the base and legs to the bench upper, and we will all stand back and smile.
Dependent on the interests of the group on the day, the tutor will talk through different ways to upholster fabric and material selections, answer general upholstery questions and share details on suppliers, etc.
With each element of the process, you will learn and follow best practice, paying attention to measuring, cutting and placement, and the implications this has for more complicated projects. Wastage, efficiency and workshop etiquette are considered, and how best to make use of offcuts, imperfections in materials and problem solve.
The skills learnt and confidence gained within this two-day course will equip the novice or improver with the principles and tool experience to tackle a small self-guided modern project at home.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Lucy is a designer maker living and working in East Sussex. She produces modern upholstered footstools. Useful objects, made well. Her practice is informed by the idea that “If you can’t fix it, you don’t own it”.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Places available - Book now
Places available - Book now
Places available - Book now
Our Foundation Degree specialising in Furniture is designed to give you well-rounded woodworking theory and craft skills to become a self-employed maker or craftsperson, to continue your studies in higher education or to find employment in the creative industry sector. Find out more