Wendy Shorter lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with her partner, Steve, and their daughter, Louise.

Wendy worked in the film industry for twenty years for the film director, Stanley Kubrick, and then as a freelance Production Coordinator.  She gave this up after having her daughter, as such a high profile and demanding job was not conducive with family life.

Having sewn since she was at school and upholstering her own furniture, she decided to turn professional.  In 1995 she studied at the London Guildhall University, now known as London Metropolitan University, and at West Herts College in Hemel Hempstead, where she gained her professional qualifications.  She passed her City & Guilds with distinction and was awarded the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers Student of the Year Award for 1998.  

Since then she has worked on individual commissions in both upholstery and soft furnishings, and in 1999 her work was approved for membership of the Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers.

Wendy was elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers in September 2006 and in June 2008 she was made a Fellow for her services to the trade.

In April 2009 Wendy was made a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Upholders (archaic word for upholsterers).

In March 2010 Wendy published her first book "Professional Soft Furnishings".  Bertram Chapman MBE, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Upholders kindly reviewed the book and commented: "I believe it to be a 'must' for all those engaged in the industry.  The text, drawings and photographs make the described process easy to follow.  Packed full of vital information not only for those entering the soft furnishings business but also for those experienced in the field but wish to know more."

The AMUSF’s Crest stands for quality, expertise and professionalism and Wendy has built up her client base and training centre on a word-of-mouth basis producing work and courses of high quality.

Wendy has been teaching since 1999 and currently teaches the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers qualifications from her training centre in Colney Heath, near St. Albans, Hertfordshire.

Wendy is also a visiting lecturer at the KLC School of Design at the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre in London.

Until June 2007, Wendy taught Advanced Upholstery at London Metropolitan University but, with much regret, had to give this up in order to devote her time to her own training centre.  Wendy still has very close ties with the University.

Wendy is a judge for the AMUSF at the Design Interiors show and regularly demonstrates her work and skills at the BBC Good Homes Show and Hatfield House Living Crafts Show.  Wendy's work has also been exhibited at the Quilt Festival at the NEC Birmingham.

Wendy Shorter with AMU Members Michael Gilham and Cliff Amey

Working on a traditionally upholstered stool on the AMU's stand at the BBC Good Homes Show 2004 

Fixing the Scroll Gimp trimming to the finished stool.

Photography courtesy of AMUSF Limited