June 28-July 2, 2027

Foundations of Upholstery: From Frame to Finish

with Kim Newell

$1150

$85 material fee payable to Kim

About this Workshop

Students will discover the craft of furniture upholstery through a hands-on project featuring a classic Eastlake-style chair. Designed for beginners with little to no upholstery experience, as well as those looking to refresh their skills, this workshop takes students from a bare chair frame to a fully upholstered piece. The comfort, durability, and design of any upholstered seat begin with a solid foundation. Students will learn to build that foundation through webbing, springs, padding, shaping, and fabric. They will also learn how and why to staple, tack, tie, and sew throughout the process. Working with a provided Eastlake-style chair frame and basic materials, students will gain practical experience using upholstery tools. Each stage builds on the last, helping them understand how the individual layers work together to create a comfortable, lasting piece. Students may bring their own chair with prior approval, provided it is similar in construction to the class project. They are encouraged to bring three yards of decorative, upholstery-weight fabric for the finishing cover. By the end of the workshop, students will have completed a full-size upholstered chair and gained skills they can use on future projects.

Key Points

  • Understand how the foundation affects the comfort, durability, and overall design of an upholstered seat
  • Hands-on experience with upholstery tools, materials, & techniques
  • Learn how to measure upholstery projects and calculate fabric and material needs
  • Learn foundational upholstery knots and basic sewing techniques
  • Build a strong, supportive foundation for an upholstered seat
  • Add foam and padding to create shape, comfort, and support
  • Master fabric cuts for clean, professional inside corners
  • Learn professional stapling, tacking, and fabric-fitting techniques
  • Build a practical foundation of upholstery skills and the confidence to take on future projects

About the Instructor

Kim Newell

Discover more about this instructor and their work.

Full-Week Program

ENROLLMENT DETAILS

Foundations of Upholstery: From Frame to Finish with Kim Newell

June 28-July 2, 2027

$1,150.00

Online Registration Starts December 1, 2026

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