FAQs

The classes start three times a year - Jan / Apr / Sep. A number of students each term will wish to continue and so the number of vacancies will be unknown until the end of each term. As soon as we know how many places are available those on the waiting list will be contacted by email with the date / time when the bookings will go live. After you have confirmed a booking for the course we will send you a contact details form and will also check with you about your chosen project - just in case anything needs to be sorted before the first class.

If you are new to the classes please discuss your chosen project with me before term starts. This is to ensure that it is a suitable one for you & any necessary preparations can be made beforehand so that you do not waste time at the first class. The length of time that it will take to complete will depend on its complexity. Upholstery can range from being very simple, to extremely complex! Some minor repair work to frames can be undertaken during the course, but you will need to be mindful that sometimes this might need to be completed outside the classes. Major repairs are not possible, but there are many furniture restorers who will be able to help you. I do not bring foam to the classes, apart from a thin ¼” thick one which is suitable as a wadding, but not as a stuffing. If your project is stuffed with foam please make sure that you let me know as soon as possible so that I can offer guidance about what type of foam & where to purchase it should you need supplies before the first class.

If possible bring a scrap of carpet big enough to stand your furniture piece on so that it does not slip on the bench when you are working on it. Suggested tools as part of a starter kit include: a sharp pair of scissors a wooden mallet a tape measure an upholstery magnetic hammer a tack remover (if your project is tacked), or a staple remover (if your project is stapled) A notebook and pen, or a smartphone, can be useful to record your work Upholstery, most notably when stripping projects, can be grubby. Do not wear your best clothes! Something practical with enclosed footwear is a good choice.

I will bring supplies of many upholstery materials to the classes such as tacks, webbing, hessian, hair, calico & waddings which you can purchase from me. Please keep a tally of what you have had & we can add it up at the end of term. If your project uses foam as the stuffing please discuss this with me before term starts. There are just too many types of foam for me to supply, but I can provide guidance about any possible supplies that you might just need to get before the first class.

I bring a plentiful supply of tools and equipment with me to the classes, but it can be useful to have your own when possible. Do drop me an email should you be thinking of buying any extra upholstery tools & I will be happy to provide guidance. There are loads of options & the choice will depend on what type of chair or stool you are working on.

We have a special dispensation kindly agreed by the school to park behind the building where the classes are held, giving easy access for you to drop-off your project & supplies immediately by the door to the room. Full details for the parking arrangements will be issued once a place is booked.

Please do not arrive too early for your class. The school is a busy site & our afternoon class in particular starts as the school day is finishing. I have never having been that good at making sure that we pack up on time - please try to keep me on track for us to start this 10 minutes before the finish time of the class! Please leave your work bench & area where you have been working clean & tidy. Thank you.

Please tidy up your workspace at the end of each class & clear any rubbish into the bins in the room. Thank you.

A number of tools that we use in upholstery are potential hazards - for instance hot glue guns & staple guns. Please do not use these sort of tools before I have given you guidance! Sensible clothes & shoes for a workshop environment please.

Should you need to cancel a course (at least four weeks prior to the start date), please contact me and I will arrange a refund. After that date, if I can fill the vacancy, a full refund will also be made. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel a course a refund will of be given for the tuition fees.