Upholstery workshops
MASTERCLASS edition
Tomasz Seweryn
signature
MASTERCLASS
Upholstery workshops
You’re probably wondering if this course is for you and whether it’s worth it?
It’s certainly not a workshop for everyone.
Who is it for?
- For those with patience (yes, under my guidance, you’ll create a flawless piece of furniture, but some steps need to be repeated to reach the right level).
- For those with determination (there’s no time for quitters here).
- Take a test: grab 10 kilos of sugar and run up to the sixth floor. If you start complaining afterwards, this might not be for you. Upholstery is hard work.
What do the upholstery workshops include?
- Sessions held over a weekend or during the week, depending on the level of difficulty and the tasks I will be organising for you.
- A wealth of professional theoretical and practical knowledge.
- Individual consultations based on a master-apprentice relationship.
- Small groups for a focused learning experience.
- In most workshop themes, a piece of furniture, such as a stool, armchair, or others, is included in the course price.
What will you learn, and what will the course look like?
The goal of the workshop is not just to complete a piece of furniture but to enhance your skills and gain expertise that each participant can apply in their own workshop, developing their passion. We focus on traditional and modern upholstery techniques, precision craftsmanship, and attention to detail, teaching the craft at a masterclass level.
The basics of upholstery
(signature project – mid-century stool)
If you have already done some upholstery work or even attended upholstery workshops and feel that this stage is unnecessary, I assure you (and I know from experience) that you are mistaken. I place great emphasis on correct technique, strongly refer to traditional methods, and eliminate shortcuts. That’s why it is worth going through everything you have learned once again – together, YOU and ME.
If you have never done upholstery before, don’t worry. This part of the course is designed to introduce you to the craft. There will be a solid dose of theoretical knowledge and, most importantly, hands-on practice. The group will be small enough for me to dedicate time to each participant.
Over the weekend, each participant will receive their own mid-century stool, which is my signature project. Based on this project, you will learn the fundamentals of upholstery, including shaping, cutting, and stitching. After the workshop, you will be able to practise your newly acquired skills at home and look for the perfect piece of furniture to work on.
- You will learn the steps of furniture restoration, from woodwork to upholstery and pattern-making.
- You will become familiar with the essential tools of an upholsterer.
- You will learn all about fillings and their different types.
- You will gain knowledge about taking measurements, making templates, and creating patterns.
- You will independently cut and sew a cover.
- You will learn about different stitching techniques and their applications.
- You will get hands-on experience with a professional upholstery sewing machine.
- You will discover how to choose fabrics and the various finishing techniques.
Intermediate upholstery workshop
(working with an armchair or chair)
In the extended course, the workshops take on a more individual approach.
Each participant will work on their own piece of furniture, which must be discussed with the instructor in advance. This may include an upholstered chair, ottoman, bench, small armchair, headboard, or a piece requiring traditional upholstery techniques. The workshop lasts between 3 and 5 days: either 2 weekends or 5 consecutive days, depending on the group.
The extended course is largely based on individual work with each participant. That’s why it is essential to consult with me beforehand about the furniture you want to restore. Importantly, in this course, I teach traditional upholstery techniques, including hand-tying springs using the French method, precision fabric stitching, and working with natural materials such as horsehair, jute, cotton, and sheep’s wool felt. We will also focus on layering fillings, shaping furniture contours, and securing fabric using upholstery nails and finishing tapes, just as it was done in historic craft workshops. This ensures that participants gain a solid foundation in classical upholstery, allowing them to professionally restore antique and vintage furniture.
Of course, I’ll be happy to advise participants on what, where, and how!
During the workshop, you will deepen your knowledge of:
- The types of fillings and their applications.
- The structure of upholstered furniture (springs, webbing, and upholstery foam).
- Creating patterns for more complex furniture pieces.
- Sewing a cover and fully restoring a piece (whether modern or using traditional upholstery techniques).
- Additionally, during the course, you will restore the wooden parts of your furniture. However, as the main focus is on upholstery, if your piece has an especially complex wooden frame, you may need to clean and sand it beforehand.
The themes of my workshops are diverse and tailored to the needs of participants. I always listen carefully to their expectations and adjust the programme to meet their requirements as effectively as possible. I strive to approach each workshop creatively, taking into account individual interests and skill levels. Every month, I organise workshops on different topics, ensuring that everyone can find something suited to them.
