Tresithick Upholstery and Restoration
Traditional Upholstery Courses
We provide a range of upholstery courses to suit a wide range of interests and abilities, from the complete beginner to those who may already have some experience in upholstery.
With a maximum of 4 people attending at any one time we provide a very high degree of guidance and attention. Training is given by Richard Hooper, a Master Upholsterer and experienced tutor whose portfolio ranges from work for the National Trust (NT) to contemporary pieces commissioned for the Hidden Arts Design Collective and exhibited at the London Design Festival.
In this setting we create a very relaxed and informal learning environment in which you can have fun whilst being creative and getting to grips with this wonderfully absorbing craft.
For more detailed information on each of our courses please see our guide to courses.
What you will learn
If you are new to the craft we would encourage you to start off with one of the simpler tasks such as a pin-stuffed seat for example, or a drop-in seat, in which we will teach you, step by step, how to upholster it traditionally, from the frame up. This will include stripping away the existing upholstery, preparing the frame to accept the new upholstery(*see footnote), stretching webbing, applying base hessian, stitching the bridle ties, stuffing, regulating to form an even and comfortable pad, covering with calico, applying wadding and top covering.
Tackling a more complex piece such as a stuff-over pad, as is typically seen in the construction of Victorian dining chairs, should also be achievable within the week. This entails the building of a stitched hair pad, with 2 stuffing layers, which is tacked permanently to the chair frame. These chairs sometimes have a coil sprung base. If so, you will learn how to position and tie in the springs, and create a spring unit by lacing each spring together with laid cord. Again, finishing off the chair with a top covering fabric but this time also applying a suitable decorative trim.
During the process of upholstering your furniture we will cover how to measure up for, and plan fabric requirements, as well as cutting out. In addition, any aspects of furniture restoration that may be required will be covered, including the polishing of show wood for example, just to add the finishing touches to the piece and leave it looking its best.
With these basic building blocks in place, you will feel confident enough to tackle a whole range of furniture types either at home, if you have a suitable place to work, or by returning to the workshop at Trevilvas at a later date.
If you've already had some training perhaps from a night class or similar, then please ring us to discuss what you would like to achieve during your stay and thus what item of furniture to bring.
For anyone without a suitable piece of furniture to bring, we have a range of all types of furniture in storage which can be worked on.
Equipment
All the necessary tools are provided (but you are welcome to bring your own if you have them). You may find it useful to bring along an apron or set of overalls as the workshop can become dusty at times! A camera is a useful item to record the various stages of your work, along with a notebook and pen.
* Frame repairs can take some time to complete and often need to be left so that any glue used is allowed to set fully. This may delay the upholstery and it is thus advisable to ensure that any furniture you wish to upholster is already sound.