Upholstery Workshops
Are you interested in learning the art of upholstery?
I’d love to teach you!
Workshop Options
I currently offer two options for training.
- One-O n-One Training in my workshop
- Gather a group of friends, and I’ll come to you!
One-On-One Training
If you live in the Nashville area, come spend the day with me in my she shop! It’s fun! You can come by yourself or team up with a friend. We’ll have a discussion about your skill level and your expectations in learning. Next we’ll find a project that is best suited for you. I have worked with students who have no upholstery experience, no sewing experience and no diy experience. I have also worked with those who just need a little help with certain new to them tasks. The most important aspect of the One-On-One format is that it is completely customized to YOU!
Group Training
Don’t live in the Nashville area? No worries, I’m happy to come to you if you are within reasonable driving distance. Gather some friends together and we’ll set up a customized workshop. It could be anywhere from 1 to 3 days long. I bring all the tools and supplies. You provide a workspace. Expenses and lodging are all negotiable. Once again, customizing the learning is of utmost importance. If interested, contact me at nancy@cobanibleu.com.
What To Expect From A Workshop
First of all, scheduling is very flexible. I am available both week days and weekend days. If you are scheduling a multi-day session, we can do them consecutively or space the days out. Whatever works best for your schedule.
Throughout the class time, you have access to professional level tools. I teach you how to use them and provide resources to purchase them. It is so nice to try it before you buy it. The same is true for supplies. The cost of the class includes basic supplies needed to complete your project. You supply the project chair or ottoman and fabric. I supply the rest. Foam, if needed can be purchased at wholesale pricing.
At the beginning of class, we’ll talk about the anatomy of a chair and how to measure and estimate yardage, and cutting plans. We’ll talk about the best tools for the job and the best tools to get you started on your own. We’ll work on stripping your project to learn best practices and what you can learn from stripping a chair. A lot actually!
Tips, Tricks and Resources
Sprinkled throughout the workshop will be lots of tips and tricks and knowledge sharing. These are all common topics in class:
- the best places to get fabric locally or online
- where to get supplies without a trade account
- how to set up your own workshop
- cutting table design and construction
- building upholstery sawhorses
Finally, I share resources and encourage you to seek out learning opportunities with other instructors. Check out my Resources Page. Different teachers may approach upholstery tasks differently. There is no right or wrong way. Having exposure to different teachers gives you more ideas on how to approach a project. Much of upholstery is problem solving and the more ideas or ‘tools’ you have the better able you are to solve the problems.
Workshop Testimonials
Here’s what Kim had to say:
Nancy Sargent is a jewel! I’ve longed for years to learn the art of upholstery and I’ve happily discovered the most patient, resourceful, creative, and skilled teacher in Nancy! With very little sewing experience, and zero upholstery knowledge, Nancy gently guided and coached me successfully through reupholstering my very first chair! She has opened a new world for me and, I’m very excited for future chair makeover instruction! Nancy is a wonderful teacher, and a fun and talented artist! I recommend her highly!
Are you ready to learn the art of upholstery? Contact me at nancy@cobanibleu.com to get started.
