Red hot classes and workshops in a big, cool studio. Here are our hot new upholstery classes and workshops for May, June and July.
ALMOST TOO HOT TO HANDLE: Out of Towners Only 3 Day Upholstery Bootcamp
Pet Bed Making Workshop
Sewing Machine Basics
Click on Classes to see what you want to learn how to do this summer.
I’m amazed that Wendy and Liz from Thursday Night Upholstery both completed their chairs on time. It’s not that six weeks isn’t enough, it’s just that by the time the third session rolls around, students are starting to feel all chit-chatty and the valuable upholstery time melts away. I’d never put a stop to the social aspect of these classes. So even though I may have to do an extra class or two with everyone, I enjoy it as well.
Wendy’s rocker was like nothing I had ever seen. Each upholstered piece came apart by pulling out dowels. I think she only had two screws in the entire piece. An antique component chair–very progressive.
The only snag Wendy experienced was cutting her fabric too small right off the bat. The next week she returned with an entirely different fabric. Using a fabric you’re crazy about makes the job much more fun.
Liz first brought in the sister to this chair, but finished the second one first. ???? She also changed fabrics after the first class and ended up with this sassy cheetah fabric with neon orange trim.
With an hour left in one of the class sessions, she just cranked out the second chair like nobody’s business. If she didn’t already have a thriving career, she would have made a great assistant. (Ha! If I ever get an assistant.)
Look at the cute curve on the top rail. That’s the kind of detail you’re looking for.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the BEFORE photos. I’ll see what I can do about that and post them later this week.
Kate takes upholstery classes at my studio. She began collecting furniture to outfit her son’s apartment. Before she knew it, she had an entire garage full of living room furniture that needed updating. She decided to take upholstery classes to learn how to do it herself.
As classes progressed, she didn’t stop her Craigslist shopping for affordable Mid Century Modern pieces. Prices for this era of furniture are still very reasonable around these parts. In addition to finding great deals, she’s met some interesting and crazy furniture folks, a side benefit to thrifting and hunting for unique pieces.
The chair seat and back came out as separate upholstered pieces which made spray painting the cane frame as easy as pie.
The red fabric and black frame turned out clean, modern and perfect for a college student’s first pad.
Now let’s take a look at her first chair. She brought in this Martha Washington open armed side chair. She sharpened it up by painting the wood a glossy black. Surprisingly, the arms on these chairs can cause some frustration. It’s trickier than it looks to get the fabric tight, smooth and attached at the front and the back while keeping the design aligned. It was a learning experience and Kate gained some valuable upholstery savvy in the process. Now she’s unstoppable.
Please excuse me for reposting a photo of my beloved studio space, but I had to show off my emerging Photoshopping skills.
After the first two weeks in my new studio, I’m happy to report full classes with two more scheduled to start in the next couple of weeks.
What is it about working with your hands, talking, and creating that is so much fun?
I’ve discussed it with my east coast upholstery class consultant and blogger, Gina, from A Temporary Nest, and we agreed that we need a FB group for upholstery students. We came up with The Upholstery Playground.
This is the precursor to our FB group. Enjoy The Upholstery Playground’s first photos.
Here’s Kristy. Look at that punam!
Beth came prepared to tear down her antique sofa. Hazardous materials fly out of old furniture.
Shnowa is finishing the new webbing while Professor Harris contemplates his fabric pieces.
OK, before the move, but look at the girls, Kate and Peggy, so busy gabbing, they don’t even know I’m photographing them.
Val is a tough customer. Do Not Disturb. (She sewed the inside back perfectly.)
Stay tuned. I’ll try not to overdo the class photos, but I LOVE watching people working and having fun at the same time.
I’ve been so busy moving upholstery supplies from my basement studio to my new, above ground studio, I’m a day late on my Sofa Rescue posts.
Eighteen years ago I started my own upholstery business so I could quit my full time job as a litigation paralegal. I worked in the garage with a tiny space heater hanging high on the wall. My husband built a gigantic work table for me. I covered it in vinyl and there I was, in business. When I think about how difficult it was to run that type of business from home, I’m amazed I stuck with it. But I did, and now I’m getting the payback- my very own beautiful studio in a lively area of town with lots of revitalization going on. Perfect for my niche.
I turned to teaching upholstery 2 1/2 years ago and that was also difficult to do at home in my low ceiling, basement studio. I thank all the ladies and gents who, like troopers, marched down my basement steps to learn how to reupholster their secondhand castoffs.
OK, enough already, let’s move on to the subject at hand–petrified (as in hardened) sofa cushions and squishy “I can feel the rails on my butt” seat cushions. Before we get to fabric cutting and sewing, we need to see what we’re up against.
The the first photo is one of two sofas that were purchased in 1961, authentic Scandinavian designs that are even more beautiful in person. That photo is a fooler. It looks like a perfectly fine modern sofa, but only if you don’t need to actually use it. Bad back cushions, seat cushions, baggy fabric and fabric coming loose on the back.
Here’s the beginning of this segment of our Sofa Rescue:
It gets worse. At this point I thought “This isn’t bad at all. The staples just pop right out” until I discovered this-
Still, even at this point I thought I could easily pull the old foam right off that back piece of wood.
Wait! Do I see a chisel?
That’s right, I had to chisel the hardened foam off the wood back.
Well, I wasn’t expecting that. After wrestling and chiseling, I finally had this:
I knew I was going to have to make a Lowes run to get an extra large trash can for disposing of my crunchy mess.
The squishy seat cushions were not nearly as exciting. I opened up the zippered cover and found a floral print around a way too soft and squishy piece of seat foam.
Tomorrow’s task is to take the cushion covers apart, press the fabric, lay it out on the new fabric and cut out the pieces for sewing. Then we’ll cut new foam. This, you’ve got to see. Happy Wednesday!
Photo Image: I wish I could find the source.
Here’s the fall schedule of upholstery workshops and classes. Classes are held in my Carmel, Indiana studio.
If you have any questions, email me at shelly@modhomeec.com.
Intro to Upholstery Workshop: This is a two night class in which you will learn the very beginnings and basics about upholstery tools, measuring your furniture to determine fabric yardage, tear down, re-padding and upholstering a SIMPLE piece with fabric.
Suggested pieces: flat benches, slip seats or an easy side chair. Preapproval needed.
I will show you how to tear down your piece, re-pad it or fluff up the old padding, cut new fabric, plan the layout of the fabric and upholstering your piece. We will do as much as we can during these two 2 ½ hour sessions. If you bring more chair seats than we can complete, you’ll know how to complete the rest of them at home.
New foam and fabric not included. Tools are available for you to use.
This class will give you the confidence to move on to a more detailed piece of furniture.
$90.00
Monday September 13 and 20 7:00-9:30
Thursday September 16 and 23 7:00-9:30
Saturday September 25 and October 2 10:00-12:30
Monday October 4 and 11 7:00-9:30
Saturday October 23 and 30 10:00-12:30
Build Your Own Custom Ottoman: This is it! You will learn the basics of building a piece from the ground up in this one day, four hour class. We will be webbing a pre-made frame, cutting foam, applying the top layer of dacron padding and upholstering the ottoman with fabric. We will also be making welt cord to add to the bottom edge of the ottoman. You will need to purchase wood furniture legs to attach to your ottoman. (you can either bring your own or purchase a variety of legs from me.
Class: $90.00. Tools are available for you to use.
Kit (wood frame, webbing, foam and dacron) $30.00
Saturday September 18 1:00-4:00
Saturday October 16 1:00-4:00
Intermediate Upholstery: This is the next level for students who have learned the basics and are ready to tackle a more detailed piece of furniture. In this 6 week class we will hit the ground running to get your small upholstered chair completed in the 6 week time period. No wing chairs, lazy boys, big lounge chairs. You can learn all you need to know on a small upholstered piece. The skills you learn will translate to larger pieces.
Foam and fabric not included. We will work hard during the 2 ½ hour class in order to complete your projects. Tools are available for you to use. $175.00
Wednesday September 22 – October 27 7:00-9:30 SOLD OUT
Monday October 18 – November 22 7:00-9:30
Here is the schedule of my classes for January and February. More classes will be added as skill level advances.
Beginning Upholstery for the DIY-er Classes don’t meet the week of Feb. 8th-12th
Easy side chair. Project must be approved before the first class. Tools will be available for use.
Class size is limited due to space.
$130.00 plus 20.00 materials (does not include fabric or foam)
Mondays: January 11th -February 22nd 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: January 12th -February 23rd 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: January 13th-February 24th 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Thursdays: January 14th-February 25th 1:00-3:00
Workshops:
Saturday: January 16th 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sew Homey: Learn sewing basics for the home. You will learn machine basics, how to sew straight and curved lines, make welt cording and install zippers.
Saturday: January 30th 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pillow workshop. You will learn how to make throw pillows like a professional with tips and techniques to make them look GOOD!
email me for more class information flipt@att.net