Woodwork, upholstery and interiors

Upholstery

Who the course is for

Upholstery classes are for anyone - absolute beginners or those with some experience wishing to develop their skills.

Beginners

The course provides an introduction to this traditional skill. A drop-in seat (a one-person seat pad with no springs, for example, a dining chair or a simple foot/piano stool) is recommended as a first project.

Please bring this along to your first session. If you do not have a drop-in seat to hand, we have a limited number of suitable chairs (this may incur a small cost). All other items need to be seen and approved by the tutor first.

You will learn how to strip a seat, attach webbing, stuff the seat, measure, cover it in calico, and add the top fabric covering. The course will also teach you fundamental upholstery techniques such as single and double piping, hand-stitching and stuff-over techniques, leading you onto the next steps.

Improvers

Experienced learners are supported to develop their skills by working on a project of their choice, such as a chair with a one-person seat and back pad. The course may include learning new skills such as pattern matching, cutting trims and buttoning.

Course location

Thomas Calton Centre, Alpha Street, SE15 4NX

The workshop entrance is on Alpha Street. Enter through the gate to the car park and follow the sign to the Woodwork and Upholstery Workshop in the left corner.

What you'll learn

• traditional upholstery techniques
• the use of a variety of specialised tools
• fabric types and construction
• hand and machine upholstery sewing skills

How the course is taught

• demonstrations
• handouts and reference books are available
• support and advice are given when working on your projects and you will be directed to internet sites to show clips to support the demonstrations and/or alternative methods
• one-to-one talks with the tutor and group discussion

Materials you will need

Experienced learners should bring along the pre-approved item of furniture/project that can be completed in the 10 weeks of the course or at home.

Beginners/new to upholstery should bring along a drop-in seat or stool.

All learners should bring

• a pen
• a pencil
• a notepad
• a camera or camera phone (useful for recording your progress)
• strong thick-soled shoes (no sandals or thin-soled shoes)

The workshop is equipped with all the upholstery tools that you will need.

There is a charge of £10 for essential materials used on the course (tacks, glue, staples, etc.) Additional charges are payable for individual material needs, for example, springs, webbing and stuffing (by weight). Payment will be, over the phone, between the penultimate and the last lesson

Learners must supply, at the appropriate time, a top cover fabric.

After the course

• work on projects at home
• learn to work on more advanced pieces of furniture and modern or traditional techniques

How to enrol 

Complete an enrolment form online

Find out how to enrol, locations and more about our services.

Course details

Contact information

Southwark Adult Learning Service 

• email adult.learning@southwark.gov.uk
• phone 020 7358 2100 or 020 7358 2101

Page last updated: 31 July 2024