Upholstery - Improvers

Course intent

You will enhance your knowledge and skills to further develop your range of upholstery techniques. Through completing a project and you will gain a deeper understanding of different methods and processes. Learners work on their own projects at their own pace with help and guidance from the tutor.

You will enjoy the well-being benefits gained through working in a friendly, creative learning environment.

What will we cover?

• Identifying tools and using them safely

• Assessing an item for use of traditional or modern upholstery methods –

o Traditional will be completed using hair, wadding, tacks and traditional stitched edges.

o Modern furniture may use foam, glue and staples.

• Stripping of old upholstery, evaluating the condition of the frame and recognising necessary repairs (These processes are discussed in class BUT there is no capacity within the class for sanding, painting etc – this will need to be done in your own time)
• Selecting appropriate filling/stuffing/webbing and their use
• Identifying/evaluating/measuring of suitable fabrics etc and how they will be used
• Colour and design principles
• Safeguarding, Prevent & British Values

Learners will be inspired by the contemporary and historical context and will need to keep a sketchbook / notebook to record ideas, processes and progress, and the feedback they receive from the tutor.

There will be demonstrations, instruction, one-to-one tutorial guidance, group discussions and critiques.

To ensure that learners make good progress with their personal learning goals, the tutor will work with the learner to complete the required Individual Learning Plan.

For courses of more than one session, you will find you make the most progress if you attend every taught lesson and complete any self-directed study opportunities provided.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

This course is for Improvers and more advanced learners who have completed previous 10-week courses.

Minor frame repairs and renovation can be carried out in the class, though more major repairs will need to be done at home or by a furniture repairer so that the reupholstery process can progress.

If your piece of furniture has materials that have been made fire retardant, these will contain persistent organic pollutants, POPs. Due to new Health & Safety law, if you remove this material from the furniture, you will need to take the material away yourself and dispose of it off the premises.

Please note that larger items such as armchairs are likely to take longer than one term to complete.

It is not possible to leave furniture in the classroom, so you need to transport your piece to the class each week.

If you have any queries about your piece of furniture and how long it will take, please email the tutor at adultlearning@surreycc.gov.uk.

Our courses are taught in English; please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

• Item of furniture to be re-upholstered

• Any upholstery tools you may have
• A sketchbook, pencil and camera for recording

Extra costs include reupholstery materials to complete your project - advice will be given for additional items needed.

Also additional costs for your fabric, braid etc.

What can I do when I finish the course?

In discussion with your tutor, you may like to progress onto further Upholstery and Furniture Restoration courses, using more complex techniques such as more complicated shapes and deep buttoning, or other Arts & Crafts courses.

Additional information

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class. Surrey Adult Learning values and supports equality and diversity by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

You can't currently enrol online for this course, so please call 0300 200 1044 to express your interest or to make an enquiry for further information.

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