Upholstery class

9 years ago

Have any of you ever taken one? There is one offered about an hour a way from me. It is three Saturdays cost is $130 and you learn how to reupholster your own chair. You have to buy all the supplies -they have tools you can use. I am trying to decide if it is worth taking a class or if I can teach myself by reading/watching you-tube videos. I am pretty crafty and I know how to sew but upholstery intimidates me. I have a CL chair that cost me $30 so I am not really worried about ruining it, but I'd love to have a nice chair for my living room not an "oops".

Comments (11)

joaniepoanie
9 years ago
I would take the class. It is reasonable and you will have a teacher available to assist you and can ask questions along the way. You will also find out if you even like it before investing in all the proper tools.
ppbenn
9 years ago
Where is the class ? I want to go!
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My upholstery started years ago when first married and little money for furniture. Found a chair in an alley behind a furniture store. Just jumped in and paid attention to how all was put together as I disassembled it. It was like working on a puzzle for me. This was also when there were large warehouses of fabric for next to nothing in price. Actually sold the chair not long after and was hooked. A good class will give you some basics to start from, but not sure how much info with such a simple project. There are so many resources now to share tips and tricks. I agree in taking the chance in using the online instructions. Even if the first project isn't perfect, the learning involved will move you quickly for being skilled. Taking all apart is the hard part, my personal feeling. And it is boring. Something not mentioned much for upholstery fabrics is a walking foot for sewing. I couldn't do without it and has lasted for over 30 years. It walks the fabric through and adjusts itself to the thickness or layers. Keeps your stitches in line and at the right pull. I also use a leather sewing machine needle on really heavy fabrics or multiple layers.
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Joann, sorry, I should have checked back on this thread more than once. I didn't see your question until now! Yes, I have done some upholstery with leather. I've done four of these chairs and have a fifth waiting to be redone (two were for my daughters, one for us and the others to sell). They are made by Plycraft or Selig, not Eames. The Eames chairs are trickier to do. These are easy. The only sewing is to make the welt and on this one I also had to sew the top edge of the armrest cover. The bottom edge, including the welt, is stapled. The welt around the cushions is just stapled on. I also did another type of chair that had a loose seat and loose back cushion of leather with welt. I used smaller than usual welt cord and it was hard to gauge the feel of where it was between the layers of leather. If I did that again, I'd use bigger diameter cord. I haven't done anything that required piecing leather together. I've thought about it. I love the look of the Barcelona chair and the day bed by Mies van der Rohe and have thought it might be fun to make an ottoman using that kind of piecing and tufting, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Leather isn't hard to sew. What is hard is getting it right on one try. When you rip a seam out to redo it, the holes from the first stitching are still there and function as a perforated line that will tear if stressed. Plus it looks bad if it's in a place that is visible. You can't pin it, either. I'd probably use little bulldog clamps. If you do want to try it sometime, Kysonleather on Ebay is an excellent source of hides. They will send free swatches of anything you request and also will send swatches of other hides that they think will fit your needs. Swatches are a must since leather is hard to photograph accurately. I've gotten four or five hides from them so far and I've always ended up getting something other than what I thought looked perfect in the photos. The hides are very nice quality and prices are about half (or less) than what I see in the upholstery fabric stores here, even discounted. Their color selection is fantastic, too! (I don't know them personally. I'm just one very satisfied customer.)
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Think about a folding flat cart to haul the piece. They have them at HD/Lowes that are stepstools which change to the flat cart. And an electric stapler. ACE brand has worked the best for me. It will be interesting what tools the class suggests. Keep us updated. I agree with starting on something which will give you options to take advantage of the class. If you already make slipcovers, this class will be a breeze for you. You know the details required for sewing, upholstery is actually easier. Taking the old fabric off is the worst part. Have fun. Would love to be there. And don't forget to check back in with us.
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I'm hesitant to start stapling....vision check?
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Comments (16)
Agree that the Lilly palette would be a committment. Everything would need to be so bright. Or white. Too confining for me. Since I have the one week reprieve, I have decided to work on the frame of the second chair. Go for a bit lighter/brighter/clearer than the first. I think I overshot the antiquing glazing and that is what is bothering me. Worn = good; dingey, not so much. I do like the fern-y fabric, but it might be wiser to use an insert that covers coral, green and blue . I'll check around once more for a swoon-able fabric. I just need 2/3 yard, so not a budget buster. I did cut the fern-y fabric at class, but those pieces can evolve into a pair of pillows, so no waste. Colorwise, I have EK's Gustavian Grey in a room here and I think something close to that pale bluish greenish aquaish greyish chameleon color on the walls would make a good unifying base for the three areas. (The window alcove, living and dining areas are a continuous 30 ft space). The color is close to that in the Frenchie picture with my clone couch above. I think there is enough coral now in the framework: couches in the middle area, chair back inserts and wicker cushions in the alcove at one end, and there is a little coral in the dining room chair fabric at the other end. Maybe a touch more in a small accessory or two. Enough to make it work, but not enough to drive the palette if I change the couches later. Good plan. DH has been bugging me to pick out some yarns as he's ready to start crocheting throws. I am assigning him a light blue that trends a touch aqua to start. Nice with the wall color. Appreciate your helping me think this through. Feels like the color plan is coming together. Two years seems like a long time, but there is a LOT of upholstering, sewing, crocheting, artwork and furniture painting/refinishing to do. Thanks!
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ratherbesewing
9 years ago
I have taken a 6 week class and I am concerned that your 3 week class is pretty brief. In any case, I would take a class to learn the "right" techniques and hints. Choose a chair that is challenging (not a dining room chair) and be prepared to have homework! if you have any specific questions, I'll check back.
mlweaving_Marji
9 years ago
I'm with ppben, where is the class, I want to go!
I wish there was a class within an hour of here.
DLM2000-GW
9 years ago
What kind of a learner are you? I'm a monkey see monkey do type so classes work well for me. A video doesn't give the the same experience and there's no accountability (which I need!) so I'd take the class.
ppbenn
9 years ago
Sorry to hijack but mlweaving aren't you around Philly?
portsideartcenter.org classes in July!!!
email me

Peg
Circus Peanut
9 years ago
Best reupholstery training book I've got is Upholstery Techniques Illustrated by W. Lloyd Gheen (say that name three times fast..!), which is used in many industrial schools. It's not as snazzy as the colorful newer books, but it's absolutely packed with the good details, and if you're already a sewer you've got a leg up with vocabulary and concepts. The photographs are admittedly bad in the version I own, but you can supplement it with one of the newer picture books from Singer, etc.

I'd take the class just to get a feel for it; you'll spend more than that on the right tools if you do it all yourself, so it's not a loss.

Here is a link that might be useful: Upholstery Techniques Book
kam76
Original Author
9 years ago
The class is in Bellevue, WA. It is about an hour from me but I am seriously considering taking it now. The chair I do have would be very easy I think...so I might have to reconsider and try to find one that will be more challenging so I really learn.
Laurie
9 years ago
kam76 - I did not have a class available near me, so learned from books and online. It took me a long time to get brave & finally start my first project (a simple office chair).

This forum has several members who posted their projects that really inspired me to start! I hope that you post about your experience (include pics) whether through a class or on your own.

Have fun!

Laurie
amyleechen
9 years ago
Can you tell me where the class in Bellevue is being taught? I'm interested in learning upholstery in Bellevue/Seattle. Many thanks!
Iluvberners
9 years ago
Amy--I'm not original poster but I know that Pacific Fabrics and Crafts in Bellevue offers classes in reupholstering. I believe the next class begins in late July.

Upholstery class

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Upholstery class

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