Upholstery - Improvers

Course intent

Explore the craft of upholstery and learn traditional and modern techniques in a relaxed environment. 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

What will I learn?

You will learn how to:

• 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
• The importance of a clean and tidy studio

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.

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.

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

You need to bring:

• A sketchbook and pen
• 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, so you will need to bring heavy duty rubbish bags
• 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
• Your chosen fabric for your piece

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.

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, 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.

How to enrol

Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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