A4947 - Upholstery: repair, restore and create (all levels)

Header
Start Date: 21/09/2026      End Date: 23/11/2026        Start Time: 10:30      End Time: 13:00        Hours per Week: 2.50      No of Weeks: 9
Fees:      £180.00 (tuition)     £316.00 (overseas)     £75.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Sylvia Apperley        No of Places: 6
Shadwell Centre

Course Overview

Course Overview
Got a tired chair or worn-out stool at home? Turn it into something you’re proud of in this friendly, hands-on upholstery course.
Suitable for both beginners and improvers, you’ll work on your own small piece of furniture while learning practical upholstery skills such as webbing, padding, and fabric covering. With expert guidance, you’ll gain confidence using tools safely, choosing materials, and completing your own project step by step.
Whether you’re looking to upcycle, learn a new craft, or simply give your furniture a fresh look, this course offers a rewarding and creative experience—leaving you with a finished piece to take home and skills you can continue to use.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Demonstrate safe working practices by correctly using upholstery tools, equipment, and materials in line with workshop health and safety guidelines.
* Measure and prepare materials accurately, cutting fabric and fillings to meet the requirements of their individual upholstery project.
* Apply key upholstery techniques, including webbing, padding, stuffing, and fabric covering, to complete a functional piece.
* Select and use appropriate tools and materials for their project, demonstrating understanding of their purpose and application.
* 5. Plan and complete an individual upholstery project, appropriate to their level, and evaluate the finished outcome with reference to technique and design.
* empty
* empty
* empty
* empty
* empty

Entry requirements

Entry requirements
A desire to learn upholstery.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
You may need to have access to the internet in order to communicate with your tutor and have access to online videos from your tutor. Beginners need to find a drop-in seat or basic foot stool or a small headboard. Improvers and higher may find a small chair. All learners may want to take notes and have pad and pen or folder. More advanced learners may have their own equipment sharp pair of scissors and 13 or 23 Rapid staple gun is essential. All learners will need to supply their own top fabric for your individual project.
Prosp User 9

How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
You will have an ‘Individual Learning Plan’ where the course learning outcomes are shown and where you can set individual learning goals and monitor your own progress against these.
You will need to evaluate your own progress and manage your time.
Your tutor will give ongoing feedback and will keep you informed of your progress.
Prosp User 12
At the beginning of the course an initial assessment takes place to identify your level of experience knowledge or current skills.
The tutor will carry out informal assessments to check your understanding, there is no exam.
You will complete a self-assessment at the beginning, middle and end of the course and you will participate in regular self-assessment.
Your tutor will let you know how you are getting on throughout the course, to help you work to your full potential.
At the end of the course you will receive written feedback.
Prosp User 11

Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
Another Upholstery or Soft Furnishing course. You may wish to enrol on other courses held at Idea Store Learning such as Woodwork, Soft Furnishings, Interior Design, Printing on Fabric and Sewing. Please see the course guide for further information or speak with your tutor.
Prosp User 10

Other info

Other info
You will be asked to buy and bring in some of your personal hand tools and materials needed.
Prosp User 13

Extra Support

Extra Support
If you have declared a learning difficulty, disability or support need whilst enrolling and you require support/assistance in class or to complete your course, please discuss your needs with your tutor at the first lesson.

If you intend to take an examination and feel you have an additional learning need or special requirements, you must declare them to your tutor within the first 2 weeks of your course.

If you are studying in an online group, then you can arrange a one-to-one online discussion with your tutor, after the session, or by email.

Where we aim to make reasonable adjustments to support our learners, please note we are unable to provide any type of in class or in person support if your course takes place online.
Prosp User 14