Transform Your Furniture with Our Upholstery Classes

Victorian Button Back Chair
Learn the Skills to Restore, Rejuvenate, and Revitalise Your Favourite Pieces.

Bring your project along to one of our upholstery classes, where we’ll guide you through the process of restoring it to its former glory, so it can be enjoyed and cherished once again.

 

Our classes are designed for everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner or have some prior experience. If you’re passionate about upholstery and eager to learn the essential skills to transform and revitalise your furniture, these sessions are perfect for you.

About the classes

A relaxed and friendly class of no more than five people guarantees you plenty of tuition and support from your tutor Helen.

 

You will be guided on how to sympathetically rip away existing upholstery, clean and carry out basic repairs and revive the show wood before building up the upholstery using traditional or modern materials in keeping with your project.

Course dates for 2025.

Select your preferred day to find out more.

Victorian chair being restored, showing techniques taught in our 6-Week upholstery courses.
Febuary - April

Tuesday

Time: 10 am – 1 pm

Duration: 6 Weeks

 

Dates:

Feb 25th

Mar 4th

Mar 11th

Mar 18th

Mar 25th

Apr 1st

 

Price: £248.00

Antique chair partially reupholstered with black coir fibre, showcasing traditional upholstery techniques taught in our 6-week upholstery course.
Febuary - April

Wednesday

Time: 11.30 am – 2.30pm

Duration: 6 Weeks

 

Dates:

Feb 26th

Mar 5th

Mar 12th

Mar 19th

Mar 26th

Apr 2st

 

Price: £248.00

Antique chair with hessian and webbing, mid-restoration, showcasing techniques from a 6-week upholstery course.
April - June

Thursday

Time: 10 am – 1 pm

Duration: 6 Weeks

 

Dates:

Apr 24th

May 1st

May 8th

May 15th

May 22nd

May 29th Half term – no class

Jun 5th

Price: £248.00

Antique chair with hessian and padding in advanced upholstery stage, highlighting skills taught in our 6-week upholstery course.
April - June

Friday

Time: 11.30 am – 2.30 pm

Duration: 6 Weeks

 

Dates:

Apr 25th

May 2nd

May 9th

May 16th

May 23rd

May 30th Half term – no class

Jun 6th

Price: £248.00

What will I need?

Bring along your chosen upholstery project.  If you’re new to upholstery, we recommend starting with a smaller project to build core skills before tackling a larger piece.

 

Recommended Projects for Beginners

  • Small items like a footstool or dining chair seat are ideal for learning the basics.

 

You will need to provide your own Top Fabric.

Fabric Selection Tip
Choosing the right upholstery fabric is important. With so many colors, patterns, and textures available, it’s worth exploring your options in advance. If you need help, check out our Fabric Guide with a list of local Nottingham shops and online stores, plus tips on selecting the right fabric. We also have a selection of fabrics available for sale in our workshop, and you’re welcome to browse these options for your project.

 

Safety Gear
For protection during the reupholstering process, we recommend bringing a dust mask if you have one (available to buy in our workshop). Safety glasses are provided to protect you from dust and flying tacks.

 

Project Condition
For the best experience, your furniture should be in good repair. We recommend projects that do not require any major structural repairs.

The classes are held in our fully equiped workshop, giving you access to all the upholstery tools and equipment you may need for your project. Adjustable height work benches are available for more awkward projects.  

If you already have tools of your own feel free to bring them along such as a tape measure or pair of fabric scissors.

 

The materials and fabrics needed for your project are not included in the course fee.

This is simply because the materials needed is unique to each student and the quantity and price therefore differs wildly from project to project.

 

We have most of what you will need available for you to purchase right here in the workshop such as webbing, foam, fire retardent calico liner, coir fiber, hair, top fabric, tacks, and staples etc. If we don’t have what you need we we can point you in the right direction to some of our favourite upholstery suppliers to ensure you achieve the perfect look.

What equipment is provided?
Examples of projects completed in our classes.
Drop in dining seats.

Project time frame:

1 or 2 seats 12hours.

4 seats 24 hours.

The fillings inside the stools were in great condition and did not need replacing.

Project timeframe: 12hours

The fillings inside were in tip top condition and did not need replacing. 

Project timeframe: 24 hours.

 

What if I don’t have a project to work on?

Why not check out our Bagsy Booth?

The Bagsy Booth holds a wide range of furniture we’ve collected on our travels and all are waiting for that little bit of TLC. It’s a great place to purchase a project to work on during our upholstery classes.  An opportunity to personally create a one off piece for your home.

Click to visit the Bagsy Booth and  

Before you book

Before you book, we ask that you send us a photo of your proposed upholstery project. This is so that we can check its suitable for the classes. The easiest way is to send Helen a WhatApp photo to 07946 489 611 or message us via Facebook.  Alternatively Contact Us via email or make an appointment to visit the workshop for a face to face chat prior to booking.

 

Upholstery can be complicated and we just want to make sure that you can complete your upholstery project within the timeframe of the class or course. If in doubt, contact us for a chat to discuss your requirements.

Poorly Chair
Where is it?

The classes are held in the Stevenson & Soames workshop, Unit 21, on the second floor of Hartley House Business Centre (A Block) in Sherwood, Nottingham. NG5 1FD

 

Access to a lift is available for those who do not wish to carry their furniture up the stairs to the second floor. Free parking. Disabled access.

Be the first to know when new upholstery class dates are announced! Our classes fill up quickly, so signing up ensures you never miss an opportunity to secure your spot.

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Meet your tutor Helen

Having found her natural talent early in life, Helen loved designing & making through her school years, she followed her heart and studied Art & Design at college, and went on to achieve a BA(Hons) Crafts degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, specialising in Wood, Metal and Textiles in 1995.

 

She is passionate about furniture conservation and is keen to share her knowledge with you so that together we can re-use, re-purpose and save furniture from landfill and be proud of the creations we make.

Class bookings and cancelation policy
Class bookings can be made:

 

  • Online via this website. This secures your place immediately. 
  • In the workshop.  Full payment is required to secure a booking.
  • Classes are suitable for age 18+
Payment: 
  • Payment must be made in full at the time of booking to confirm your place. We cannot reserve places without payment. 
  • We take payment by cash, card or PayPal. 
  • We accept no responsibility for bookings that are held back due to incorrect or invalid payment details being submitted.
We try our best to price our classes and workshops fairly and offer good value for money. We therefore have a clear non-refundable policy to ensure that we cover our costs and the ongoing viability of the workshop.
Cancellation by you:
  • Payments for classes are generally non-refundable. You are welcome to send someone else in your place instead. Just let us know their contact details as soon as possible. Refunds may be given if we are able to re-sell your place.
  • Refunds will not be issued if you are unable to complete a class.
  • Please note that there are no make-ups for missed sessions if the workshop is over more than one session.
  • You have the statutory 14 days to cancel or amend your booking. After this time a 50% refund or the option to switch to another class will be offered, if cancelled more than one month before the class.
  • No refunds will be offered less then one month before the class commences. 
Cancellation by us:
  • In the event of us needing to cancel a class we will give as much notice as possible and will offer you a place on an alternative.
  • If this is not suitable then we will offer you a full refund
  • Please note that we cannot accept responsibility for any other/3rd party costs or expenses you may have incurred in relation to the original booking.