Earlier this week we were proud to show you the handiwork of Susan over at Freshly Picked and her upholstery transformation. Many of you asked for ideas of where to look in your own home towns and we're here with answers.
Although we can't cover the entire US, we did our best to tackle a few major cities for you! Know of one we missed? Make sure to add it below!
For the most part, we ran across upholstery classes in technical colleges that offer adult education or furthering education classes. Specialty shops also offer their services, just call one near you and even if it's not something they normally do, it might be something they're up for with a slow economy!
In addition to the cities below, we also ran across this list that was quite helpful. Although many of the cities aren't in a major metropolitan area, they are within driving distance for many, so make sure to check it out in case you're having trouble finding a class near you.
1. New York: The Furniture Joint (4 night/1 month class)
2. Los Angeles: Convina Valley Unified School (pg 17 in PDF)
3. Chicago: The Needle Shop (good for small projects)
4. San Diego: San Diego Center for Education and Technology
5. San Francisco: City College of San Francisco (in fashion dept)
6. Columbus: Fabric Farms Interiors in Hilliard
7. Austin: Austin Community College (no Fall schedule yet)
8. Miami: Robert Morgan Vocational Technical Institute
9. Baltimore: Nifty Needle Designs in Monkton, MD
10. Denver: Emily Griffith Opportunity School (basic and advanced).
11. Boston: The Elliot School, read our review here!
12. Seattle: Check out Pacific Fabrics for classes.
13. Milwaukee: Milwaukee Area Technical College offers many classes!
14. Washington DC: Check out G Street Fabrics.
15. Atlanta: Doxie's Upholstery through Joann's
16. Minneapolis: Blue Sky Gallery offers classes from the pros.
Do you know if a class near you? Even if it's not in a major metro, leave us a link in the comments below!
(Image: Flickr member ann-dabney licensed for use by Creative Commons)
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I've lived in two different suburbs in Cleveland, and both of them offered upholstering classes at certain times of the year as part of the "Adult Classes" offerings for residents that are sent out several times per year. (They do sewing classes, too.)
I think that the local parks/recreation departments are the ones who put out these classes here, but am not sure if that's the case everywhere. Worth checking out if you live in an area where they send out those thick, multi-page newsletters of class offerings.
San Diego Continuing Education also offers upholstering classes.
http://www.sdce.edu/class-schedule/class-schedule.php?&topic=466
In Madison, Wisconsin, the technical college has a great class: http://programs.matcmadison.edu/programs/enrichment/upholstery
Thanks everyone, keep the links coming!
nothing in Kansas City?
Most every city offers upholstery classes at a community college or as part of a community education program.
Also, some upholsterers offer in-shop classes. One company I know that does this is Spruce in Austin, Texas.
And if you are really serious about upholstery, you could ask local upholsterers if they'd let you apprentice for them. It's a very involved process though, and teaching someone takes a lot of time away from their businesses. But it's worth a shot if you're serious about it and are willing to pay your dues.
Upholstery Journal magazine
Philly?
Matt - KCK CC offers them as part of a maintenance program, but I don't know if you can take the class without the prior ones under your belt: http://www.kckcc.edu/academics/programsDegrees/buildingAndPropertyMaintenanceTecCert.aspx
You need to include me on this list. I have been in the upholstery business for 15 years and I offer DIY (really fun and full of information) classes.
Shelly Leer
ModHomeEcTeacher
Carmel, Indiana
Oh my stars Shelly! I can't BELIEVE I left you off the list! My sincere apologies!
Just finished a two day workshop with old time upholsterers from all over the country. I saw stuff that would make your head spin. This stuff was definitely not DIY, but unbelievably fascinating. These crafts people are a dying breed. If you're not going to DIY, then support them with your business.
Awesome! I've been thinking about doing this for a while, but its a bit pricey (in D.C. at least!) My lands!
Has anyone taken classes in Philly? I've been trying to find a class for a couple years.
I've been rooting around for other DC classes, to no avail. I think it's pretty unrealistic to attend class eight Saturdays in a row and cart the piece of furniture each week.
I don't think the price is horrible, but I'd barely make it to any classes. Anyone know of anything else, DC, Rockville, or just south of Baltimore area?
I'm looking for Philadelphia too. I've got nothing.
Palo Alto, CA (35-40 mi. south of San Francisco)
Palo Alto Adult School.
Classes are Tues or Thur
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- (there is an hour lunch break, but you can keep working if you like)
- They don't use power staplers. Just hammer & tacks.
If anyone is still looking for a class in Philly, I've found a place (Portside Arts Center) that is willing to put a class together and find an instructor. They need a minimum of 5 people for a class and we already have three so all we need are two more! If you're interested, get in touch with Kim at portsideartscenter@verizon.net.
Does anyone know of any class sources in the Dallas area? Also, I'm curious about whether anybody can clue me as to whether a 60s Danish modern-style office sidechair would be fairly simple to re-upholster? It *looks* like it would, but that's purely guesswork on my part.
Austin Upholstery Studio in Austin, Texas offers a broad array of fantastic upholstery classes. I've taken several and absolutely love them! The instructors previously headed up the upholstery program at Austin Community College, but the school cancelled the upholstery program this past Winter. If you're in Austin I would highly recommend checking them out. www.austinupholsterystudio.com
Portside Arts Center has upholstery classes so please visit our website to check them out or to register online! www.portsideartscenter.org
we also have mosaic and stained glass classes as well!
Portland Community College in Oregon has them in the Home and Garden section of their Community Education Department. Scott Smith teaches them, and he is excellent.
www.pcc.edu/community
I just started an upholstery class in St. Petersburg, FL - http://www.tomlinson.pinellas.k12.fl.us/reupholstery.html
So far it's great, and at an absolutely amazing price IMO (the website looks slightly outdated, price right now is about $5 higher, but hardly enough to quibble over). They have all the tools and machinery, plus many of the materials at wholesale prices.
I know this is an old post, but it came up on a search for upholstery classes. I live in Lakewood just west of Cleveland and was wondering if you had any guidance on where these classes were?
thanks
The Los Angeles area has another Upholstery Class. It's in Monrovia through the Monrovia Community Adult School. The teacher has been teaching for decades. https://adulted.monroviaschools.net/asaponlinereg/courses.aspx?group=16
I am looking ror an upolistry class in Des Moines or surrounding area
Portside Arts Center located in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, has three wonderful Upholstery Classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced students! Our teacher John Price has been in the Upholstery Business for over 20 years and now he teaches at the Portside!! Check out our classes www.portsideartscenter.org