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.

Included

On this course, the tutor will supply all of the materials, including a selection of top cloth.

What students need to bring

Wear clothes that you are comfortable in, that you don’t mind getting dirty or catching a thread on. Wear layers, as our work is quite physical at times and, if you have an apron, bring one. Wear closed toe shoes with a good sole, as we will be working with metal tacks and hammers, and will be standing for most of the course.

Fabric supplied will be 100% recycled wool yarn top cloth or Linwood End of Roll Velvets, and there are a selection of colours available. You can choose to have matching or contrasting piping.

If you wish to bring your own fabric for use on your bench, please note, it must be upholstery weight and no leather please. Stripes, checks and thick pile velvet can be more challenging. If using a pattern, please ensure that the pattern drop repeat is less than 30cm and/or that you are happy with the placement of the pattern on a 80x40cm rectangle – for example, a 55cm parrot would likely end up being headless/footless. The tutor is happy to advise on your fabric choice, but you will need to send a photograph and details through to the Bookings Office at: [email protected]

Additional information

Please note this course uses natural latex, hair and coconut filler, so will not be suitable for those with with allergies or sensitivity to any of these products.

Wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear i.e. no open-toes or sandals. Safety boots, if specified. There may be restrictions on equipment available to students in tutor’s absence.

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-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 (lunch included)  
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 - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
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.

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