Welcome to Mary’s Chairs
Welcome to our Upholstery Teaching Workshop, nestled on the stunning Isle of Skye, where quality teaching meets a passion for creativity. Our dedicated and well-equipped workshop provides an ideal setting for anyone looking to explore the art of upholstery.
With a range of leisure courses available, including upholstery, sewing and lampshade making, we ensure an enriching learning experience.
Our informal teaching approach fosters a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here, you can immerse yourself in the world of fabric, enhance your skills, and unleash your creativity in a supportive environment.
Our Courses and Classes
Our courses are designed for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals looking to refine their skills. Whether you’re interested in a weekend workshop to kickstart your journey, a week-long immersive experience, or regular classes that fit into your social calendar, we have something for you. Join us and explore how to revamp your home with personalised touches, while connecting with fellow enthusiasts in a friendly, fun environment.
Introduction to Modern Upholstery
Level 1
This two day course is suitable for a complete beginner.
We will take you through the different stages of building a modern footstool.
Introduction to
Re-upholstery
Level 1
This is a two day course suitable for a complete beginner.
We will take you through the different stages of re-upholstering a dining chair.
Semi-traditional footstool
Level 2
This four day course is aimed at someone with a little upholstery experience.
We will enable you to build a traditional style footstool.
Home Furnishing Course
This three and a half day course is suitable for a beginner to upholstery and someone with a little sewing experience.
We will guide you through the processes to make a lampshade, piped cushion and modern footstool.
Open Project Course
This is a flexible course for someone wishing to work on their own project, but who isn’t able to attend on a weekly basis.
We recommend someone starting with a level one course before embarking on your own project.
Weekly Upholstery Classes
We run morning and afternoon classes on Tuesdays through to Thursdays for anyone wishing to come on a regular basis.
Each session is three hours long and we run these classes throughout the year.
Our Workshop
It’s been very exciting designing and building our very own purpose-built workshop, and having a dedicated creative space just outside our house.
The workshop is designed to accommodate three upholstery and sewing students, with room to sit and share refreshments while looking out over the bay.
Our mission is to provide a friendly, warm and supportive environment where you can immerse yourself in the processes of creating and restoring furniture. We have everything you need to complete your project from purpose built upholstery benches, tools, equipment and all stuffings we may require.
Recycling and repurposing are at the heart of what we do here at Mary’s Chairs, we love more that nothing else saving an old chair, stool or bench and restoring back to its former glory; especially so when that chair has belonged to someone we love, and we can help you transform it to fit your own style and aesthetic.
We specialise in chairs, but it doesn’t end there; we also offer tuition in cushion, lampshade and fabric crafts.
Student Testimonies
Hear what some of our students have to say..
Heather Mackaskill
Portree
I could not believe it when I saw Mary’s Chairs upholstery workshops being advertised on Skye!
Something I have dreamed of doing for a very long time.
I booked a workshop and I’ve never looked back. The workshops are so much fun and Mary is so knowledgeable, talented and her guidance is invaluable.
She is a master of traditional and modern methods. I have learned so much. I have got the upholstery bug now, continually looking for new projects to try.
Wendy Donnelly
Staffin
I was clearing out my Gran’s house and couldn’t bring myself to take her chair to the dump. I vaguely thought I would restore it - though didn’t have a clue how. Then I saw an advert for “Mary’s Chairs” in our local magazine - it felt meant to be!
Mary has expertly taken me through all the steps - webbing, springs, hessian, wadding, canvas and final material.
Each stage has been fascinating and brought a real sense of achievement.
Mary has a real talent for creating a warm and welcoming creative space. Thank you; I have loved every minute.
Amanda Dennison
Harrapool
From the very beginning Mary was super helpful. The sessions were fun, purposeful, calm and although hard on the fingers, were relaxing and well taught.
Her instruction were clear and all the equipment needed was in good order so tasks were straightforward to complete. I ended up with exactly what I wanted.
I would thoroughly recommend attending a class, you will have a great deal of fun and will end up with a beautiful piece of furniture that you will treasure as it will contain all your effort and love!
Recycle and Reuse
The benefits of re-upholstery
At Mary’s Chairs we are keen to recycle and reuse as many chairs and footstools as possible. We have for the past 8 years offered a chair rehoming service. If you have a chair that is suitable for reupholstery and you no longer have a use for it we will “foster” your chair until a new home can be found. This is dependant on our available storage space and whether the chair will lend itself to reupholstery. Please email us with a photo of your chair if you would like to us to consider adoption.
- By reupholstering we can prolong the life of chairs and stools that may hold historical significance or sentimental value.
- Many older pieces were built by craftsman using methods far superior to those employed by many furniture producers today. Chairs were designed to be reupholstered time and time again.
- Being able to choose the fabric and trim for your chair allows you to create something unique and perfectly suited to your home.
- Furniture disposal is a growing problem. The ever increasing demands on landfill continue as cheap mass produced furniture continues to be discarded.
How to find us…
Mary’s Chairs Workshop
Park Cottage
Duisdale Beag
Isleornsay
Isle of Skye
IV43 8QU
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