Top 11 Best Upholstery Classes (Online)

Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics of upholstery or a seasoned professional looking to brush up on your skills, this list of online courses will help you find the perfect class.

From courses specifically tailored for beginners to in-depth classes covering all aspects of upholstery, you’ll be sure to find the suitable class for your needs. 

So, let’s get started.

1. Chair Restoration and Upholstery by Lucia Giraudo

This online course provides an introduction to the world of furniture upholstery.

Guided by upholsterer and entrepreneur Lucía Giraudo, participants will learn how to restore and upholster an old chair to give it a second life.

Skills you will learn include:

• Disassembling furniture.
• Sanding.
• Gluing and washing.
• Installing webbing and springs.
• Adding filling and molds.
• Placing final fabric.

Materials needed to complete the project are easily found at home or in a hardware store.

No specific knowledge is necessary. This course on domestika is suitable for interior designers, textile designers, and anyone interested in recycling furniture.

2. Upholstery Fundamentals by Stof en Steen

This course will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to upholstery fundamentals.

You will learn how to reupholster different dining room chairs, use upholstery tools and machines, replace webbing and foam, apply upholstery fabric, and correctly fold the corners of the material.

The course includes video tutorials, F.A.Q.s, and a competence matrix to help you get the most out of your experience.

This course is suitable for beginner and intermediate-level learners who wish to master the craft of upholstery for themselves or customers, design professionals, arts & crafts students, and those who wish to understand more about the tools and machines required for the craft.

3. The Ultimate Upholstery Guide: Recovering Dining Room Chairs by Ronda Batchelor

This course offers a comprehensive overview of upholstery and teaches students the fundamentals of reupholstering.

It covers fabric selection, assessing components, and proper tool usage. Students will have access to 6 sections of the course, and online students will learn how to reupholster three different styles of dining room chairs.

The course includes over 4.5 hours of straightforward content and lifetime access to course materials, quizzes, and checklists to support their learning.

This course is ideal for beginner upholsterers willing to dedicate a few hours per chair and take action to create stunning pieces of furniture. It is not for professionals.

4. Create a Home Decor Upholstery Pattern by Laura Adams

This online class is designed to give Surface Pattern Designers and aspiring Textile Designers an understanding of the Home Decor Upholstery Market.

Learn the basics of creating a feature pattern appropriate for this market and the parameters of the market, as well as how to discover a trend that speaks to your style.

Through this class, you will gain valuable insights and tips to help you get your designs market-ready. In the end, you will have created a feature Home Decor Upholstery pattern that is appropriate to sell in the current marketplace.

In my opinion, this is an excellent addition for anyone looking to learn upholstery to sell custom-made furniture.

5. Paint, Refinish, and Reupholster Furniture: Table and Chairs by Ashley Blake

This course introduces furniture restoration, painting, reupholstering, and sealing techniques.

Students will learn how to refinish a dining set or complete a larger project, as well as how to reupholster dining chairs.

This course is ideal for crafters, D.I.Y. lovers, and students wishing to broaden their knowledge of furniture refinishing or flipping.

A commitment to a larger project is required to enroll.

I think that this course is a great way to learn the basics of upholstery and to refinish a dining set.

It covers the fundamentals of painting, staining, stripping, sanding, and how to reupholster dining chairs. The course does not cover painting, but it does provide an excellent foundation for anyone looking to learn upholstery. It may not be for everyone, but overall it is a great starting point for those interested in upholstery.

6. Kim’s Upholstery Courses by Bill and Kim Chagnon

Kim’s Upholstery In-Depth Classes are for those looking to take their upholstery skills to the next level.

As a member, you will have access to 90+ training videos and tutorials from an experienced upholsterer.

Members can access skill-building videos like making cushion covers and headboards and project videos for headboards and upholstered chairs.

Their online video library is continually growing, so you will always have something new to learn.

Additionally, all members have access to an active, supportive community of peers and instruction from industry experts with 30+ years of experience in the field. 

If you’re looking to get into upholstery as a hobby or to earn an income, Kim’s Upholstery can help you achieve your goals.

7. All-in-one Auto Upholstery course by The Lucky Needle

This online upholstery class offers comprehensive instruction in mastering the art of automobile upholstery.

You will learn various techniques, including cutting fabric, installing needles, setting thread tension, pleating, and installing snaps and grommets.

In addition, you will gain experience with sewing machines, be able to identify thread types, and understand seam allowance and guide.

You can construct seat covers, door panels, headliners, custom carpets, and more.

8. A Complete Guide to Modern Upholstery by Micaela Sharp

This online upholstery class with a professional upholsterer and interior designer, Micaela Sharp, will guide you through transforming furniture with fabric.

You will learn different upholstery styles, how to select, measure, and pattern cut fabrics, fundamental upholstery techniques, and the confidence to tackle your upholstery projects.

Included are 7 hours of video lessons, broken into 5 to 15-minute episodes, and a series of downloadable workbooks.

With no fixed start date or time, you can take the course at your own pace on any device.

9. Upholstery Foundation by Upholstery Skills Centre

This online upholstery class is suitable for both complete beginners and experienced upholsters.

It is made up of three modules:

• Module 1 (31 classes) covers traditional and modern styles of drop-in seats, pull-over seats, and capped-on seats, plus conventional and modern footstools and a deep buttoned headboard.
• Module 2 (48 classes) teaches how to reupholster a traditional dining chair with a sprung seat and make an ottoman box from just wooden panels.
• The Vintage Module (26 classes) will guide learners through making an upholstered chaise longue from a wooden frame.

Finally, the Library contains courses to help learners recap techniques such as tying slip knots, blanket pleats, and slip stitching, as well as introducing upholstery tools and how to use them.

10. D.I.Y. Upholstery by Wendy (Chair Whimsy)

D.I.Y. Upholstery with Chair Whimsy is an online course that teaches you to upholster chairs and furniture confidently.

You will learn how to strip down a chair and make repairs, hunt for fabric, paint, upholster the seat and top, and add finishing touches.

Each module includes videos and worksheets to help you apply what you have learned.

A private Facebook group also gives students access to monthly demos, live coaching, and Q&A sessions. With this course, you can upgrade your home’s decor with upcycled furniture or open your own Etsy shop/upholstery business as a side hustle.

11. Getting started with Upholstery by Cynthia Bleskachek

This course with upholstery professional Cynthia Bleskachek on Craftsy will introduce participants to the basics of reupholstering furniture.

Techniques such as fabric selection, proper tool usage, tearing back old fabric, cutting reliefs, installing tack strips, and adding designer details like buttons and nailhead trim will be covered.

Cynthia deeply appreciates the craft of upholstery, having grown up in her mother’s home-based business, and has spoken at many industry events.

At the end of the course, participants will have a solid repertoire of techniques they can use in future furniture-covering endeavors.

Recommended Upholstery Training Books

The Upholstery Bible: Complete Step-by-Step Techniques for Professional Results

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This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning upholstery.

It is written by an experienced upholstery teacher with clear instructions and illustrations to guide you through the basics to more complex techniques.

It covers topics such as choosing materials and tools, estimating yardage, and how to buy second-hand furniture, as well as advice on stitches and textiles.

I recommend this book to all who want to learn upholstery, it provides an easy-to-follow guide with invaluable advice and tips. 

Spruce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design

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This book is an excellent guide for anyone looking to learn the art of upholstery. It’s comprehensive and includes detailed instructions and more than 900 photographs to help readers understand the upholstering process.

The five projects featured in the book are designed to teach readers everything they need to know to reupholster any piece of furniture.

The author, an experienced upholstery shop owner, offers an inspiring and eclectic style readers can adopt for their unique furniture pieces.

The book also provides helpful information on interior design options for the finished projects. It is a good read and reference guide for the brave DIYer looking to learn a new skill or refresh an old one.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

• Educators – National Upholstery Association
• The Best Resources For Upholstery Education | Cobani Bleu
• What Do I Need to Start Doing Upholstery Work? – Sailrite

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Mike Singer is a passionate woodworker from Pittsburgh, PA. He has been creating furniture and upholstery inspired by mid-century designs for over ten years. With a strong affinity for craftsmanship, Mike has dedicated himself to creating vintage-inspired art with a modern twist. He draws inspiration from the classic designs of the 50s and 60s and has a special knack for combining old-fashioned techniques with modern materials. Mike enjoys the challenge of creating something unique and timeless with his hands, and his furniture and upholstery have been featured in several local galleries. He is excited to continue to share his passion with the world.