Introduction to Upholstery Course

What you'll learn

Be introduced to Upholstery, and more, with our DIY Woodwork courses in Sydney.

This course is designed to give you an introduction to the wonderful craft of upholstery.

Here you will create a cushioned crate topper with a skirt that will completely transform a salvaged milk crate into an unrecognisable, stylish ottoman, and in doing so learn the fundamentals of upholstery, its tools and materials.

You not only will learn how to source upholstery materials second hand, but by the end of the course you will have the skills and confidence to take on upholstery projects at home.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this upholstery course, you will have:

• An appreciation of second hand materials and where to find them
• An understanding of the hand tools used in upholstery
• Knowledge of fundamental upholstery techniques
• The confidence to take on your own upholstery projects at home
• A custom made upholstered ottoman to take home

Course content

What will be covered in this upholstery course?

• Knowledge of general safety in the workshop
• Sourcing upholstery supplies and furniture to upholster second hand
• Basic timber construction of upholstered furniture
• Understanding the different methods of creating support structure for upholstered items and how to work with webbing
• How to select and use cushioning materials and techniques for working with upholstery foam and wadding
• How to select appropriate fabric and the different methods of affixing to a seat cushion and creating a fabric skirt

Intended audience

Who is this upholstery course for?

This course is for people with little to no experience with upholstery looking for an introduction to the craft. The course is run using predominantly hand tools so you need to be aware that there is an element of physicality involved and most of the work is carried out standing up. We aim to make the courses as inclusive and accessible as possible, people living with a disability should notify SCC so that the appropriate accommodations can be made.

Course venue

Among The Trees

27 Sydney Street, Marrickville 2204

We encourage students to utilize the numerous public transport options nearby or ride their bicycle to Among the Trees, there is a bike rack on site. Street parking is limited during the day and onsite parking is off-limits for course participants during business hours (Wed-Sat 10am-4pm). Please contact Among the Trees directly if you have access concerns or requirements, there is an accessible parking spot available that we can reserve if requested. Outside business hours there are 3 onsite parking spots available.

About Among The Trees

We can’t get enough of reclaimed and recycled timber, and we believe it should be accessible to everyday people. There’s nothing like working with wood, and to use and love a product that would otherwise have been sent to landfill or be burned off helps keep the story of that piece alive.

We want to show you how and why we love this material, and share with you how to work with it. We are Among The Trees, and we can’t wait to say hello. Please check us out at our website.

Transportation and parking

• Among The Trees is a 7 minute walk from Sydenham Station. There are bus stops for the lines 418, 423, 425, 426 and 430 all 4-6 minutes walk from ATT.
• There are 3 onsite parking spaces available and street parking on Sydney Street and surrounding area.
• If you are riding your bicycle, there is space inside ATT for you to store your bike.

Tools and Materials

Please bring to class

A selection of fabric will be available to students at the class at a cost of $10 (please bring cash on the day). 

Alternatively, students may supply their own fabric as per the following specifications:

• Be of a medium-weight such as cotton drill, cotton duck, bark cloth or soft furnishing fabric. Heavy-weight commercial upholstery fabric, thick denim or lightweight cotton such as quilting cotton are all unsuitable.
• You'll need two pieces: 1 @ 80cm x 80cm (unhemmed) and 1 @ 1.8m x 50cm with 2cm hem on one long and one short edge. These can be the same fabric, or you may choose complementary or contrasting set of fabrics.

If bringing your own fabric Among the Trees encourages students to find second-hand fabric and recommends Reverse Garbage in Marrickville as a good source.

Among The Tree provides

This course is taught using predominantly second-hand materials. You will be taught to use a variety of upholstery tools and materials including:

• Staple guns, upholstery tacks and hammers, pliers and webbing stretchers
• Scissors, knives and needles
• Jute webbing, upholstery foam and dacron
• Buttons, decorative studs and gimp

Requirements and Safety

• You are encouraged to bring your own facemask, protective eyewear and ear protection however sanitised Personal Protective Equipment will be available to use. Any borrowed PPE needs to be sanitised after use.
• You are required to wear closed-toe shoes.
• Aprons will be provided but please wear clothing that can get dirty (e.g. sawdust or glue).
• Long hair needs to be tied back and no loose hanging jewellery should be worn.
• For your own safety, facilitator instructions regarding the correct use of tools and equipment must be followed at all times.
• Any people thought to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be able to take part in the workshop.

Additional information

Please note the following:

Please advise Among The Trees about

1. your emergency contact (name, relationship and contact phone number), and
2. any special requirements (e.g. wheelchair access) if applicable

Lunch

For Classes running all day, a 30 minute lunch break will take place halfway through the class. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch, alternatively there are Cafe's and take away restaurants nearby.