Upholstery Classes

At Mary’s Chairs we run upholstery classes that are a little different to other teaching venues. We want all our students to feel welcomed, valued and at home in our workshop. 

We have all the tools and equipment necessary, and we keep our class size small so that you receive all the help you need. We concentrate on excellent tuition, and hope to make upholstery your favourite part of the week. 

Our classes are more The Repair Shop than Money for Nothing. Upholstery isn’t quick, but there is a beauty in restoration and we want to help you recreate something that you’ll be proud of and will last for many years. 

Before you start upholstery classes: 

Choose your project - start simple with either a dining chair or a footstool. We have footstool frames you can buy and a limited number of period dining chairs in need of renovation.

Think about what fabric you would like to cover your project with, but you don’t need to have it before you start. We will advise on suitability and quantity required for your project at your first session when we discuss the whole process and have plenty of samples that will help you choose.

We like to see all student projects before they are stripped down; there’s a lot to learn from this process. We recommend that you do this at the workshop and you take lots of photos for reference.

Payment:

Each three hour session costs £60.00 and is paid monthly in advance. You only pay for the sessions that you are able to attend. If you have to cancel your session with less than three days’ notice you will be charged the full cost. An alternative class will be offered if possible.  

We are able to take card payments in the workshop, cash or BACs by arrangement.

Materials and stuffings: 

We are able to provide all the materials and stuffings needed to complete your project (if foam is needed it will be ordered to your required dimensions). A record of what you use will be noted and we will bill you either at the completion of your project or periodically throughout the course of your work.