2-Day Chair Upholstery Workshop

Description

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We are no longer offering live workshops – check out other upholstery learning opportunities here. 

Learn the basics of upholstery while working on your own beginner level chair!

1. Repair: Learn how to tell if a chair is worth the work you will put into reupholstery. Take care of a wobbly frame with glue or screws, perform minor spring work (if needed), and get things generally tightened up before you begin rebuilding the upholstery padding.
2. Restore: Spiff up the frame with a light cleaning, OR go for a complete transformation with paint or refinishing (best done before class). Need new padding? Choose natural materials (natural latex foam & wool batting) or conventional – learn the difference between them.
3. Restyle: The FUN part happens with your new fabric! You can also create an updated look with some minor adjustments to the padding & design (add a welt here, some buttons there).

What the Workshop Includes:

• Two full days (16 hrs) of FUN & hard work (bring plenty of elbow grease!)

Yes, an intensive couple of days, but don’t worry – we’ll have good music and plenty of breaks

• Intro Videos + Handouts:

As soon as your registration is complete, you’ll receive a link to view & download a series of videos & handouts, including:

1. Class overview – what to expect when you bring your chair for the weekend workshop.
2. Worksheets + Guides to help you get started.
3. Instructions for deconstruction of your chair – depending on the complexity of your project, you may want to get a jump on the tear-down so you can complete your chair by the end of the weekend workshop.
4. How to evaluate your chair’s condition. If you determine that your chair needs structural repairs, a new plywood seat foundation, or refinishing/repainting, you’ll get guidance on how to get this done or do it yourself before the 2-day session.
5. How to measure and calculate how much fabric to buy for your project.

• (optional) Zoom video meet-up for Q&A:

Two weeks prior to to the weekend workshop, you’ll have a chance to meet your fellow students via zoom video, share your project and get your questions answered.

• We provide:

• use of all tools and sewing machines, thread, spring twine, tufting twine, staples, adhesive, covered button molds and hot glue
• professional tips & tricks of the trade
• helpful charts & handouts that you can take home and use on your next project
• a memorable experience and and skills that last a lifetime!

• You provide:

• your pre-approved chair
• upholstery fabric, foam and embellishments such as decorative nails & trim – amount to purchase is determined in the Prep Class
• A fee will be applied to these extra materials if used in class: natural latex foam, dacron batting, cotton batting, wool batting, ticking fabric (for the wool batting), jute webbing, burlap, welt cord, zippers, springs and muslin fabric.
• the moxie to dive in and get your hands dirty!

Nothing beats the satisfaction and fun of restoring a chair in your own unique style and making new friends in the process!

Workshop Schedule

Intro Videos:

Immediately upon registration, you’ll receive access to Intro videos to help you get started on your project.

Prep Class (self-guided videos + optional zoom meet-up for Q&A):

It’s great fun getting everyone together prior to the Weekend Workshop Session, so I offer an optional zoom video meet-up 2 weeks before the workshop. It’s a fun chance to meet your fellow students, share ideas & challenges, and get your questions answered. Meet-ups last 30-60 min, depending on the projects and questions you bring.

HOMEWORK (recommended to do before weekend session):

• Purchase fabric & new foam (if needed)
• Deconstruction: remove the old fabric from your chair
• Complete any repairs and refinishing/repainting of your frame that may be necessary prior to weekend session

Weekend Workshop Session:

Two consecutive days (8 hrs/day) – You’ll arrive with your chair, fabric and ALL of the old materials that you removed in deconstruction. You’ll be guided through the steps of fitting & attaching your padding & fabric to your chair frame, including any stitching required such as welt or minor piecing of sections, as necessary.

Participants work independently on their projects, with support & hands on instruction personalized to each project. Mingling and cross-pollinating is encouraged! Half the fun is learning from each other’s challenges and sharing new ideas… common side effects are surprise & delight at unanticipated outcomes.

*** Important:

Please read the Class Policies before registering for the class. Your registration signifies your agreement with all Class Policies. All chairs must be pre-approved before the class.