Getting Started

[midwest]

I am currently taking classes in reupholstery.  I am not sure if I want to do it full time in my own shop.  I know it will take time to learn enough to start my own.  Anyone have any advice on when to start, how to start etc.

Thanks in advance.
Wayne

[chrisberry12]

I highly recommend working for someone in the trade for a few years, this is not a trade you can master in a couple years let alone a couple classes. I used to teach and you will need a least five years just to learn the basics and do them well. You should find a master in your area and work with them for awhile before you venture out on your own. All of us experienced upholsterers have taken years to master our trade and we are still learning.

Chris

[MinUph]

Interesting,
  Can and would you explain just what you learn in a class? It would be interesting. I never took one and don't personally know anyone that has. We did have a school somewhere in NY years ago that did have an Upholstery class. I'm not pulling your leg or anything I'm truly interested.
  As for when and or how to start.
  When I was learning this trade from my father and some other old timers, there was a company that made beautiful caskets. Marcellus Casket was the company. They would hire new upholsterers and train them to do these caskets. Many of whom after learning this small piece of the trade went out on their own and opened up Joes Upholstery. They would, on average, last about 6 months to a year and fold up. They didn't have the knowledge they thought they had. As Chris mentioned working for someone that is very experienced, and good for a year or two at least will help. After 10 yrs of working on the career you will know if you're ready. And your mentor will be able to tell you also. My point is this. If you find you want to do this for your career then learn to do it well and you will make an honest living at it.
 

[baileyuph]

The encouragement by Chris is about as good as it gets.  You, in essence, have started with the class.  Study hard and keep us posted.

Doyle

[bobbin]

I'm not an upholster (nor do I play one on TV), but I've been slogging it out in the needle trades for over 30 yrs. now.  And I offer this suggestion:

Practice, practice, practice.  Once you have learned a technique, make the effort to practice it!  Too often newcomers think, "yeah, I know that" and they do (to a certain extent), but if they haven't done it enough times to really burn it into their brains so it's automatic, then they really don't have it.  When I was learning to replace a fly zipper in dungarees it took me 30+ minutes to rip one out and put the new one in.  After many years, it takes me under 10 minutes even if I've not done one in over a year.  The technique is that automatic for me. 

Tailoring is very much like upholstery.  It's one seemingly simple operation after another repeated over and over.  The trouble is there are times when you won't be asked to perform that operation for considerable time and you do forget and "lose your touch".  The more you practice something the more ingrained it becomes and the more you are exposed to "variations" of that operation.  Make sense?

The other thing I would suggest is never be afraid to say, "yeah, I can do that".  If you never challenge yourself you'll never add to your professional skills!  And if you're faced with something you've never done before, never be afraid to be honest about it and be willing to "take your lumps" and suffer the learning curve.  That's a big part of mastering a skilled trade, too.  I've tackled a lot of things that challenged me professionally; I was honest with the customer, I kept good time records and notes, and I learned from the experience.  Did I make as much as I wanted to make? no, but I added to my skills and the next time I made more money!

I'll be interested in updates, too. 

[midwest]

A lot of great advice.  Thanks.  About my class.  She is a retired upholsterer.  Teaches part time.  I am allowed to take a piece of furniture in and she helps and shows us what to do.  I will be honest, going in I thought "can't be that hard".  Boy was I wrong.  There is a lot more to this than I thought.  Classes are in short blocks.  I am doing a recliner I have had for about 15 years.  She told me in my second class, a recliner is probably the toughest.  Too late now. I have signed up for my third class.  I should finish my chair.  I would like to at the very least,  learn to do cushions and maybe do that part time on the side, while learning.  I also have a couch, just as old that I am going to practice on in my basement.  She has us strip everything down to the wood and start from scratch.  Maybe I could retire early and do this part time.  I enjoy taking something from nothing and seeing the end result.

[SteveA]

When a hobby or craft becomes a trade -  life is good.
SA

[sofadoc]

Maybe I could retire early and do this part time. 

From this statement, I assume that you're well past your 20's?

If so, you're exactly the type of person that seems to be getting into this trade nowadays. Someone who is either looking for a complete career change, or at least looking for an alternative means of income while doing something satisfying.

You're the kind of person this trade needs. Someone mature enough to know that nothing is easy, and nobody is just going to hand you a career.

The class that you're taking is certainly a great start. But like the others say, nothing beats the hands-on experience of working in a pro shop. But I warn you. I've seen plenty of those arrangements that got ugly. The boss feels like he is wasting too much time trying to train you, and you feel like you're being taken advantage of by toiling away at slave wages.

Doing free stuff for friends and relatives is a great way to hone your skills. But you'll suddenly discover that you have friends and relatives that you didn't know you had.

Be patient. Just when you think it's never going to "come together" for you........it does.

I think your idea of doing some part-time cushion work is a good one. Better than diving off into the deep end, where you may get discouraged before you get off the ground.

[midwest]

Thanks.  Yes I am a bit over 20.  Yes I have had offers from family and friends to do their stuff.  Yes I would do some, but not for free, to gain the experience.  I was hoping to do part time unless I can make some good money.  What kind of hourly or by the job money can be made?  The class is good, I wish she would explain a little more, but I understand other students need attention also.  In class we just tear apart, fill holes, tie, put padding on, cut out fabric and put fabric on.  Basically doing a project and asking questions as we go.  Not the way I would do it but I am learning.

[MinUph]

So Midwest,
  Your class has you strip to the frame and build up from there with all new webbing, spring up, filling etc.? Or are you reusing the old filling?
  Your question about how much money can be made from working the trade. That is dependant on location, skill level, and client base. Working for someone in Florida is not like working for someone in NY. The market can change in 100 miles. Suffice to say this is not a get rich business. An honest decent living yes but you would be hard pressed to find a wealthy Upholsterer.
  If you are enjoying the experience that is the main thing. I've learned through the years that money isn't everything. Enjoying what you do is.
  Keep updating us. It is always interesting and good to hear someone learning the trade.

[chrisberry12]

Paul did you hear a couple years ago a fellow upholsterer in Syracuse hit the lotto big and is still upholstering. That is the only time you will hear an upholsterer hitting it big hahaha. So true with location. I moved six hours east two years ago and labor doubled if not tripled depending on the job. Cost of living comes into play on also when figuring out how much to charge.

[MinUph]

Yea chris. I think it was Silverbush.

[kodydog]

Just to add to what everybody else is saying,

Another good way to earn some cash and get hands on experience is doing repairs. Furniture stores are always looking for someone to do this and because your just getting started your estimate will be reasonable. With the experience your getting from your class I think repairs would be a good start. Just pay close attention how you take it apart and put it back together the same way. This is also a good way to meet potential customers and the stores I work with send many jobs my way.

Some repairs are as simple as adding more stuffing to a bustle backs. And if it needs to be replaced I have the store order the whole ensemble, already sewn and ready to staple on.

Good luck. It takes a lot of courage to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.

[midwest]

First thanks again for the encouragement.  For my recliner that I am doing it looks like I will be re-using the foam for the back rest.  New cotton and nu foam and a marshall for the seat.  The back foam is the only thing I will be re-using.  Is it profitable to get furniture from rummage sales or estate sales, etc something really cheap and re-do?  I suppose there are a lot of variables.

[MinUph]

midwest,
  You asked if it was "profitable" to get used furniture. I take it you are asking about reselling it when done. To that the answer is no unless someone tells you I want that piece before you get it. Selling used furniture is hard. And the time and materials you would put into it would not be recouped. You would need to find someone that both likes the piece And the fabric you put on it. Not happening.
  On the other hand if you want the piece for yourself then it is well worth picking up an older piece that is well built and reupholstering it for yourself.