On this course, you will learn modern and traditional upholstery techniques while creating your own upholstered single stool. You will become familiar with a range of upholstery tools, materials and techniques, and take home a finished birch frame stool. The course uses sustainable, natural and revalued materials, and there will be opportunities to discuss the benefits of various materials and how to choose them. You will have the chance to select your own custom colour top fabric.

The aim of this course is for you to learn a variety of modern upholstery skills that will extend beyond this project, thanks to the broad range of activities included in the workshop. The course is fun, informal and friendly, with a focus on hands-on learning. It does require stamina, as we will be standing for much of the time, and you will need strength, hand grip and concentration.

What will you be making? You will be making a single upholstered birch frame stool with the following dimensions: 42cm in height and 40cm in diameter.

Top Fabric Please select upholstery weight fabric (please note, no leather or suede). It should be at least 0.75cm in drop. Take care to ensure that the fabric pattern aligns with the stool dimensions; for example, if the fabric features a bird, ensure the whole bird fits on the height of the stool. Multi-directional designs are the most economical patterns.

Process You will work with pre-cut and treated birchwood legs, frames and bases. You will learn to use traditional upholstery tools, such as magnetic tack hammers, tack lifters, wooden mallets, as well as modern tools, including staple guns and staple lifters. You will measure and affix the edging roll using 10' Imp tacks. Cocolok (rubberised coconut sheeting) will be affixed using spray adhesive. You will measure and cut calico, making ‘V’ markers along the edges to help line up the fabric and temporarily tack the calico to shape the stool. This process will be repeated, removing and repositioning the fabric until the desired shape is achieved. Shaping the stool with calico requires gentle manipulation, and the process will be repeated multiple times – this is the correct process, not a mistake, so trust it! The calico will be stapled in place, the tacks removed and the edges trimmed. Polywadding will be hand-torn and applied to the stool. The top fabric will be measured and cut to size, again using the ‘V’ markers. The top fabric will be temporarily tacked in place and then stapled. This will require less manipulation than the calico, as the stool shape will already be defined. The top fabric will be stapled in place, the tacks removed and the edges trimmed. A rounded label will be stapled to the base. If you are using buttons and piping, these will be applied.

Finally, we will attach the base and legs to the stool, and you can stand back and admire your work.

Included

On this course, the tutor will supply all the materials to make the stool apart from your choice of top material and matching/or contrasting thread.

What students need to bring

• Wear clothes that you are comfortable in, that you don’t mind getting dirty or catching a thread on. Wear layers as our work is quite physical at times and, if you have an apron, bring one.
• Essential - wear closed toe shoes with a good sole, as we will be working with metal tacks and hammers, and will be standing most of the day.
• Top fabric: please note, it must be upholstery weight and no leather please. Stripes, checks and thick pile velvet can be more challenging. If using a pattern, please ensure that the pattern drop repeat is less than 30cm and/or that you are happy with the placement of the pattern on a 40cm circumference – for example, a 55cm parrot would likely end up being headless/footless. The tutor is happy to advise on your fabric choice, but you will need to send a photograph and details through to the Bookings Office.
• Thread: Please bring matching thread colour or contrasting thread if you so choose.

Please contact the Bookings Team at: [email protected] to make your selection.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Daily Timetable

Course teaching: 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive: 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)  
Morning teaching: 11am-1pm
Lunch break: 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching: 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes: 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected]

This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations Please refer to our terms & conditions below

Disclaimer The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions