How-To Upholstery Courses: Why Didn’t I Start Here?

Upholstery Courses Are Hard to Find!

I wanted to learn how to reupholster furniture for a very long time. But even in a large metropolitan city, upholstery courses are few and far between! Every few years, I’d decide I was going to find some way to learn. Once in a while, Joann’s would offer a basic class, but honestly, it seems really basic. There was a community college in the far northern suburb that offered classes periodically. But I worked downtown with infamously awful traffic. Without renting a helicopter, it would be physically impossible to make it to class before the class ended each night.

There was also a technical college that offered upholstery courses. Now this seemed the most promising, BUT!! So here is the thing, I have lived by myself for a long time, intown, downtown, the burbs. I am generally not afraid to travel about the city by myself. But I like to think I’m smart about it and don’t take silly chances. This particular technical college was deep in the heart of the ‘hood. And somehow, traveling deep into the ‘hood, at night, by myself, didn’t seem particularly smart. So I continued my search.

Now all of this was pre-Pinterest and definitely pre-You-tube. Online upholstery courses just didn’t exist.

Upholstery Courses: Why I Needed to Find One

I can’t tell you why, but I’ve always loved old furniture! They have so much character, the wood is beautiful! And the upholstered pieces are just so much more special!! And I have one special chair that needed to be reupholstered. I don’t know why didn’t start with it!

It belonged to my grandmother.

While working in corporate America, I had the opportunity to visit my grandmother on several business trips. After I completed my business, I was able to stay over the weekend with her. I had never lived near my grandmother so I only knew her as a child visiting with her on family vacations. Having the opportunity to visit her as an adult was special. We talked, she showed me her city, her garden. I loved her sweet house and the memories of family vacations. Interesting that many of those memories included her vintage laminate kitchen table and vinyl covered chairs, the old radio, the wardrobe in the nook where sister and I slept, the old wringer washer she loved.

In the evening, we would sit in the living room, me in ‘the chair’. I had never seen a chair quite like it, lots of carved wood. I told my grandmother I really liked the chair, and if no one else wanted it, I would love to have it one day. She was so surprised. None of her grandchildren had ever shown any interest in her belongings. She was quick to point out that the chair was worn out and the springs were sprung.

I told her that didn’t matter, I would get it redone! She was beyond thrilled. I think as soon as I left, she got out the masking tape and wrote my name on it and put it on the bottom of the chair. Her way of marking who was supposed to get what!!!

I’ve had this chair now for many years! And for years I have searched for upholstery courses!!

Upholstery Courses: Just Do It!

Now me and Corporate America got along for quite awhile. We had our ups and downs, but we made it work. As time went on, our relationship lapsed into a ‘we be happier going our separate ways but it just seemed easier to stay the course.’ I guess finally, we both got old and crotchety and realized we were no longer good for each other. I needed out! But I needed somewhere to go to! I decided upholstery was it! Seems like a silly choice since I didn’t know how to upholster! But suddenly that foolish ride into the ‘hood didn’t seem so bad after all. I signed up for my first class. I told myself, this would not be a go, unless I could upholster something and have it look like a professional did it. Game on!!

Our first project was an ottoman. I was proud of how it turned out, even matching patterns. I worked hard. For every project that we did in class, I tackled one at home on my own. I began to challenge myself with harder projects. I learned!!! And I left Corporate America. Sometimes you just got to do it!

Upholstery Classes: Give and Take

So here I am. Trying to make a go of my little upholstery business. I live in a different city now, and once again, upholstery courses are hard to find. But the online world has exploded and there are more opportunities to learn online and find teaching resources. I know what I know well, but I still have things to learn. I am excited to have found a new learning resource. One where I can focus on what I don’t know and hone new skills. You can be sure I’ll share all about this new opportunity once I have taken advantage of it!

Here’s the other thing. Through the diy blogging world, I have met so many fun and supportive people. People who want to teach and to learn and to share and encourage. This is where I want to be. I am working hard to get this blog and upholstery business off the ground. I want to be the resource for the diy community for all things upholstery! I want to create and teach upholstery courses! I may take the show on the road and do hands on classes. I may develop some online instruction. I’m still trying to figure out how all this looks. One thing I know, I want it to be personal, and I want you to actually fulfill your upholstery goals!  So if you want to learn upholstery, let me know! We will make it happen!

Here I am, back at the beginning. I have reupholstered so many chairs! I have no idea why Grandma’s chair is still not done! I guess it’s the fate of the cobbler’s children! But no worries, she’s on decked to be tackled!! In fact she is already, stripped and fabric is ready to go. Grandma will be so proud!

I don’t know why I didn’t start here!