Hello there,
Just a quick note with some questions from this newbie
I have a degree in visual merchandising that is not leading anywhere, and am now thinking about a career in upholstery - I can't bear an office job, I have to create!
I have scoured the web, and contacted several upholsterers in my area (none of them has answered...), and I can't find any suitable courses!
The only ones are once a week at an adult learning centre, and one is in Wales, £350 a day + hotel accomodation...
How to learn?! I want a degree that I can combine with visual merchandising business..
Basically, I was wondering if you could recommend any courses, apprenticeships or anything to get me started, I simple do not know where to begin!
Thanks!!
Buy a machine get a used piece of furniture or seat. Before you actually recover it practice practice and practice. Once you have a piece that is reupholstered and well done you can take pics and show people your work. If it is good then people will give you a chance. If you keep doing good work you will get a reputation as such. Good luck with your venture. This is how I started my side business that turned into full time.......
Kevin
I did the course in Wales back in 1995! It's an excellent course in traditional furniture reupholstery - if that's the type of work you want to do. It is very labour intensive and hard on the hands! there is a lot of antique furniture in the UK, so if you are good there is usually an endless supply of work. On the other hand, if you want to get into boats you will have to go to the States to North Coast to get basic training.
Lynn
Thank you both!
Lynn - it is antique furniture I'd like to work with - just so crazily expensive to get into! *gulps*
Any books to recommend?
Have you considered commuting to London to study? We currently have a student from Cardiff who comes over on a Sunday does two days and then heads back, our upholstery courses at London met uni work out at just under £40 per day over a 30 week program. If you combined a couple of years of study with working for an upholsterer part time you should gain enough experience within a few years to work on quality Antiques unguided.
The Association of Master Upholsterers website is a good place to start looking for credible courses, but as "seamsperfect" states, practice is what it is all about. It takes the average human around 5000 hours to acquire a new skill, then the same a gain to become confident and professional then the same again to master it. How fast you can progress will be determined by the hours you can put in.
If you go on to Amazon and put in Upholstery Books you will see several that are worth the money. David James Complete course is still a great book. If you want loads of pictures in a step by step guide using mainly traditional methods take a look at Quick and Easy Upholstery the title is an oxymoron as upholstery is rarely either of those things, and the book took Posy and I around 800 hours to write and photograph so it wasn't either to produce ;D
Quote from: alge on April 27, 2011, 08:39:48 am
Have you considered commuting to London to study? We currently have a student from Cardiff who comes over on a Sunday does two days and then heads back, our upholstery courses at London met uni work out at just under £40 per day over a 30 week program. If you combined a couple of years of study with working for an upholsterer part time you should gain enough experience within a few years to work on quality Antiques unguided.
The Association of Master Upholsterers website is a good place to start looking for credible courses, but as "seamsperfect" states, practice is what it is all about. It takes the average human around 5000 hours to acquire a new skill, then the same a gain to become confident and professional then the same again to master it. How fast you can progress will be determined by the hours you can put in.
If you go on to Amazon and put in Upholstery Books you will see several that are worth the money. David James Complete course is still a great book. If you want loads of pictures in a step by step guide using mainly traditional methods take a look at Quick and Easy Upholstery the title is an oxymoron as upholstery is rarely either of those things, and the book took Posy and I around 800 hours to write and photograph so it wasn't either to produce ;D
I'd defo do to London to learn for that price, as I am in Surrey! Do you have any places left by any chance?
I will need some books (thanks - will check them out) and tools, but first and foremost I think I need some very basic skills as I don't have any at the moment! =) Then - practise!
Ok i misread your post.
If you P.m. me your email address i'll see what we can do. we currently have 120 students doing upholstery courses and are pretty full but people wanting to do two day courses get preference.
I forgot about the London course! I was living in Wales when I did my training. I have my Diploma from the Master Upholsterers, although I doubt my membership is current as I've lived in Canada for the last 14 years!
Good luck with your endeavours!
Lynn
Miss Blueberry i'm not knocking it but why do you need to do a degree ?
i know some top knotch upholsterers and there isn't a degree in sight,
just getting that piece of paper doesn't mean you can do the job.
I've seen some god awful post grads with all the paperwork but none of the
skills to apply it.
The UK trend for hiring people with degrees is in decline anyway
often it isn't the degree that is considered it's the reputation of the
Uni that is more important to employers.
I worked from a factory then became a teacher in a high school and
now do upholstery and marine canvas self employed and i don't have
a degree just an ability to get stuck in and i think most of the skilled
guys here would say the same.
training is a good idea yes, I did mine in the US and I believe in training
it cost me over £4000 for two weeks training in the US and i went back for more :-)
but after the training was over I then started to learn and am still learning,
I don't believe a degree would have helped anywhere near as much as getting stuck in
and getting my hands dirty, messing a few jobs up and making some good stuff too, every day.
If you think getting set up for doing upholstery is expensive you should check out
the cost of setting up for boat canvas too. It makes my accountants hair stand on
end just thinking about it.
If you need a sewing machine pm me or give me a ring I can let you have my contact in
Wales who deals in machines and he sells quality machines not ebay junk. If you need help
with a project come here as these guys rock and someone will be able to answer any question you
might have. But most of all get some tools, ask family for small pieces of furniture to practice on or
go to a local auction and buy some thing to play with like a padded chair or foot stool as all you really
need is a few basic tools like a good stapler to get started and get stuck in. ;D
Best of luck
Richard in Norfolk
fragged8
You are absolutely right - a degree doesn't really prove anything - but I need someone to teach me the basics! =)
And rather hands-on, few days a week teaching rather than a two hrs a week evening class!
I think the trend of hiring people based on skills and attitude (can learn, will learn!) is great! =)
But overall, I really want to get stuck in, and see what I can do!
Thanks for advice!
I must also say - I am impressed looking at you peoples' websites! Some stunning work going on!
Pardon me for asking but, what does the term to "get stuck in" mean?
Quote from: Miss_Blueberries on April 28, 2011, 02:21:54 am
I must also say - I am impressed looking at you peoples' websites! Some stunning work going on!
Please do not pay attention to mine. I put that up 8 years ago and never touched it. I have new one coming out with over 500 pics........
Kevin
Stuck in I've never heard that either must be a uk thing
Quote from: hidebound on April 28, 2011, 03:43:59 am
Pardon me for asking but, what does the term to "get stuck in" mean?
i'd never thought of it as a Uk only term ;D
It means to just get on with it ..
Miss Blueberry, why not try asking around your area
and see if you can work a day or two with a good upholsterer
for free ? like an internship .
I'd talk to antique dealers too as they usually have a list of trusted
quality craftsmen.
working for free has to be better than paying for tuition as you will
get real world training from people who know the trade from a commercial
perspective.
Rich
It is a Brit's / Aussie expression. My wife uses it quite a bit. I am going outside and get stuck into the garden. I am going to go to the office and get stuck into correcting tests.
In American terms it means I am going to go get engrossed in my work.
First time I heard that expression I couldn't figure it out either till my wife explained it. You think the Brit's have some weird sayings you should hear an Aussie from the country. They have their own language, terms and expressions.
I am pretty used to them by now but every now and then the wife throws me for a loop with a new one. :)
Chris
Didnt mean to highjack but thanks for the explanation Rich and Chris.
Rich
The point about being tutored in tandem to working for an upholsterer is to get access to various styles of upholstery and techniques, my master sent me to college for three years two days a week alongside my bench work, the idea being at college you can experiment on things that dont belong to anyone but yourself so in some cases make mistakes in other cases do work that the market place rarely provides, all done under the tutelage (i can only speak for lon-met) of upholsterers with rafts of experience (im the least experienced with only 22 years on the bench) and who are jobbing upholsterers for 50% of the working year(although i admitt there are some that cant do so teach). Internships are great but pretty much non existent, all too often its a chicken and egg situation. Need experience to get the job/placement cant get the experience without the job/placement.
alex
Wow, what great post......it is wonderful to know that there are people from all over the world that are hungry to learn our trade.
I am the son of an upholsterer and he started his own shop back in 1960, when I was 4.
My dad was very careful
NOT to teach me or my brother the trade......he wanted us to grow up to me "college men"......of course I did learn how to make buttons (tying a slip knot is a skill everyone should master), drive brass nails, basic trimming (in backs, out backs, skirts and dust covers) and of course the proper stripping techniques (how to be fast but thorough).
One of the most important skills I learned was walking backwards while carrying a piece of upholstered furniture (on a pick up or delivery). My dad use to say "I love you but I don't walk backwards".
If you strive to become a shop owner, here are some tips from my dad:
Have pay day on Monday.....this will eliminate employees from laying out of work on Monday because they have a case of the "Budweiser Flu"
Once you learn the upholstery skills, learn how to be the fabric cutter.. This is the most important position in a plant or a small shop. If you have upholstery skills first, they will make you a better cutter....you see things differently. Since you are the shop owner and you are having to either pay for the fabric or you are liable for the fabric that is supplied to you...... this is a skill you must master.
Encourage your employees to "buy that new car".......if they have a car or house payment to make, then you know they will be into work.
Before my dad passed away, he asked me once how I learned the techniques required to produce some of the custom projects our company made. He said "I did not teach you how to do that." I said, "Dad, I was motivated to learn. I took their deposit and I spent it.....so I couldn't give it back. It is easier to learn new skills than it was to give a refund."
Welcome to our world. Good luck! Steve
sterry56 - what a moving post! Lots of good advice, thank you!
Over all, I have contacted a few local people - none have really been in touch, but that's by e-mail - might be different if I give them a call! ;D I'm planning on learning some basics first!
I'm awaiting a few books -this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Upholstery-Bible-Step---Step-Professional/dp/0715329375/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304283041&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Upholstery-Bible-Step---Step-Professional/dp/0715329375/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304283041&sr=8-1) and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quick-Easy-Upholstery-Alex-Law/dp/1906094454/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1304283089&sr=8-3-fkmr0 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quick-Easy-Upholstery-Alex-Law/dp/1906094454/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1304283089&sr=8-3-fkmr0)
I have also found a week long course in Somerset, taught by Cherry Dobson. Does anyone have any experiences of that place? http://www.lilacbarn.co.uk/ (http://www.lilacbarn.co.uk/)
My place is to learn some basics there, and to be able to learn from home after. =)
There's also that course at London Metropolitan I'd like to get into - but probably that won't be til April?
Thankful for the advice - keep it coming! 8)
Also - what kind of tools would I need as a beginner? Are "sets" pretty crappy, or would it be good enough having one of those?
Quote from: fragged8 on April 28, 2011, 04:00:28 pm
Quote from: hidebound on April 28, 2011, 03:43:59 am
Pardon me for asking but, what does the term to "get stuck in" mean?
i'd never thought of it as a Uk only term ;D
It means to just get on with it ..
Miss Blueberry, why not try asking around your area
and see if you can work a day or two with a good upholsterer
for free ? like an internship .
I'd talk to antique dealers too as they usually have a list of trusted
quality craftsmen.
working for free has to be better than paying for tuition as you will
get real world training from people who know the trade from a commercial
perspective.
Rich
I went to upholstery school for awhile and I found it great, as you have a tradesman who is there to answer your questions and tell you all he knows, most teacher have to be trades man to get into teaching jobs and have usually run there own business and communicate better so I reckon it is better, especially to pick up the basics . Where as if your in a working environment, no one has the time to go into detail, also I would not work for free, I have worked for minimum wage in order to be in an environment where I can soak it all up , I don't think you will learn much from someone that is not willing to give you anything,sorry Rich I'm not getting stuck into you ;)
Quote from: Mojo on April 28, 2011, 05:34:07 pm
It is a Brit's / Aussie expression. My wife uses it quite a bit. I am going outside and get stuck into the garden. I am going to go to the office and get stuck into correcting tests.
In American terms it means I am going to go get engrossed in my work.
First time I heard that expression I couldn't figure it out either till my wife explained it. You think the Brit's have some weird sayings you should hear an Aussie from the country. They have their own language, terms and expressions.
I am pretty used to them by now but every now and then the wife throws me for a loop with a new one. :)
Chris
Did not realize there was another page to this, having an Aussie wife you you would be used "She who must be obeyed" or "her indoors" getting "stuck into you".
Quote from: Miss_Blueberries on April 27, 2011, 07:13:05 am
I have scoured the web, and contacted several upholsterers in my area (none of them has answered...), and I can't find any suitable courses!
Basically, I was wondering if you could recommend any courses, apprenticeships or anything to get me started, I simple do not know where to begin!
Thanks!!
Hi Miss Blueberries,
How are doing with getting started in learning upholstery?
I Realize that you wrote your message quite some time ago, but thought I'd give you a link to some more ideas about learn upholstery. Go to this Link:
Getting Started in Upholstery (http://upholsteryresource.com/node/230).
Best Wishes,
Stephen
I too am just getting started and a new shop up and running.. Being a lifelong sewer since I was 11 years old.. Sewing has been my passion as long as I can remember..
I went on to get degrees and have worked in high end insurance jobs in NYC.. never to find the gratitude I really wanted.. Until one day I decided I could re-upholster our boat... there was born my new passion...
I walked unannounced into an upholsterer's one day and said I know how to sew.. but I want to upholster..!! Then and there.. he told me to sit down at his Consew... I knew I was hooked... So I went faithfully to work with this upholsterer... UNPAID.. so I could learn the trade hands-on.. Then he offered to sell me the business.. but my husband was very sick and I couldn't take the chance..
So now.. I've taken a big leap of faith and opened my own shop.. learning every day.. asking questions all the time.. I've even developed a great working relationship with another marine upholsterer here in CT that graciously helps me and answers my questions whenever I have them..
THIS IS A GREAT CREW here on the discussion board.... seek out their knowledge... Same with suppliers.. they're happy to help!! Good Luck...!!!!!