This hands-on upholstery course is designed for beginners, improvers and returning students who want to create a custom upholstered headboard while developing essential upholstery skills. You will learn both modern and traditional upholstery techniques, using sustainable, natural and revalued materials. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to a variety of upholstery tools and gain an understanding of material choices, their benefits and how they influence the final design.

Over the duration of the course, you will follow a structured process to complete your own headboard, selecting from three design options: horizontal fluting; a five-section panel with border and braid trim; or a curved shape with a piped edge. There is also an option for shallow buttoning on certain styles. The course is practical and requires stamina, as you will be working standing up for extended periods, using hand tools and focusing on precision.

What you will learn:

• How to plan and design an upholstered headboard, including material selection and pattern layout
• Marking and cutting FE plywood to shape (or working with a pre-cut board)
• Measuring, cutting and applying upholstery materials, including stuffing, calico and top fabric
• Techniques for shallow buttoning, piping and fabric application
• Safe and effective use of upholstery tools, including jigsaws, drills, sewing machines and buttoning needles
• Finishing techniques, including attaching a platform cloth and securing struts

What you will be making:

• A small double upholstered headboard, with dimensions: 122cm width x 122cm height

Three options of design:

1. Horizontal fluting
2. Five section with border and braid trim
3. Curved with piped edge

There is the option of Shallow Buttoning for styles two and three.

By the end of the course, you will have gained the confidence to upholster a headboard independently, understood key upholstery principles and you will take home a beautifully finished piece tailored to your design choices.

This course offers a fun, friendly and immersive learning experience, allowing you to develop valuable upholstery skills while creating a stunning, high-quality headboard to take home.

If you wish to make a standard double, please contact the Bookings office and note there will be an additional materials surcharge of £60.

Included

On this course the College and tutor will supply most of the materials, including:

• Plywood board
• Calico
• Stuffing
• Struts
• Platform cloth
• Use of tools

What students need to bring

You should bring at least 2m of upholstery-weight fabric for a small double headboard (approx. 122cm x 122cm), depending on design choice and fabric pattern. For patterned fabrics, consider additional length for matching. Multi-directional patterns are the most economical. If choosing a design with braid or shallow buttoning, please bring sufficient braid or buttons to match your design.

If you wish to make a standard double 137cm x 122cm, please bring 2.5m of top fabric.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Please contact the Bookings Team at: [email protected] to inform them of your choices two weeks before the course starting. Bookings made after the two-week deadline will be given option three: curved edged headboard (small double).

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.  
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.  
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)  

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*  
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options 

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