Workshops & Events at NaturalUpholstery.com.
Upholstery Workshops with Carla Pyle
2022 Online Learning:
I am working with The Funky Little Chair as a Virtual Instructor and Program Director for the FLC Upholstery 200: Fundamentals program (launched in June 2021). I am honored to be a part of this program, working with students in the Instructor Supported + Certificate Program. There is also a Self-paced version of the same program (without instructor support or certificate).
Check out the details, and sign up here (Note: this is an affiliate link, which means I receive a small portion of the sale, which helps support this ad-free website. Thanks so much for your support!)
There will be no in-person workshops offered at my studio in 2022:
I will be releasing an online course (Fall 2022) on the fundamentals of Natural Upholstery, to help upholstery workrooms, designers and makers learn about and use natural and sustainable materials in upholstery.
Live appearances: I will be presenting ‘Alternate Materials And Sustainable Practices For Upholstery’ to furniture manufacturers at the Furniture Manufacturing Expo in July 2022, and ‘Natural Upholstery & Soft Furnishings’ at the Custom Workroom Conference in October, 2022.
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I reside in Louisville, KY. and I’m interested in possible taking online classes to learn furniture upholstery. Is that possible?
Hi Angela,
2017 update: I’m excited to share our new NaturalUpholstery.com educational resource for natural upholstery. Stay tuned for more videos and free downloads that will be added weekly to the site.
We’ll also be adding resources for other websites where you can learn upholstery online as well as brick & mortar locations for those who want to learn with a hands-on instructor.
Carla
I have a recliner that needs to be reupholstered…any suggestions on that type of class? Thanks
Hi Patricia,
A recliner would be advanced upholstery project. Unless you have extensive upholstery experience, I recommend taking a beginner level class before taking on anything with upholstered arms. Recliners may require specialized tools to disassemble and reassemble due to the springs and levers associated with the reclining mechanism.
Thanks for a great question,
Carla
I have been watching many videos on dining room chair reupholstery projects, and yours was by far the most helpful. In all others I did not see a mention of ticking fabrics, and am wondering what it is and why it is used? Also, your demonstration of finishing corners was better than others I have watched. Thank you.
I have dining room chair seats that need fabric recovering, and something to fix or replace the webbing which has stretched out over the years. I am debating if I should convert the webbing, which I tend to not like because it stretches out, to a solid plywood support in the seat, or replace the webbing with new webbing. My preference is for firm support in seats. What would you recommend?
I am contemplating doing the chairs myself, but I do not have all the useful tools necessary. I have used a hand staple gun before, and find it hard on my hands. I live in Denver, Colorado area, and am wondering if you know of any spaces where I can rent/use tools needed – I do not have pneumatic tools for staples etc.
Hi Susan,
Check out FAQs ‘What is ‘ticking fabric’ and why do I need it?’ and ‘How is ‘ticking fabric’ used in natural upholstery?’
Your preference for firm support may point toward using plywood, though jute webbing, when installed correctly (see video ‘How to Stretch Webbing using a gooseneck stretcher’), does not stretch much.
For tool rental/use, you might try a web search for ‘tool library’ or ‘maker space’ in your area.
Best of luck with your project!