Pattern matching silk curtain fabric

If you are looking for a career in upholstery or soft furnishings then you should have a high level of training and a good understanding of the legal requirements associated with the industry. The Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) qualifications in upholstery or soft furnishings have been developed over a number of years by experienced practitioners in the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry and are designed not only for those wishing to develop good craft skills, but also as a stepping stone for those wishing to launch their own business or for those who wish to seek meaningful employment with an existing practitioner. 

Practical experience in the workshop is at the core of our teaching, where students and tutors engage in discussion exploring the use of materials and techniques.  You will not only learn how to do something but will understand why it is done, and how it fits into context with hundreds of variations of upholstered furniture or furnishings. We have designated classes for each stage of the qualification ensuring that you receive the underpinning knowledge required.

Through our association with fabric companies and industry specialists our aim is to give our students as much exposure to the crafts allowing them to explore their own design creativity and individual orginality whether it is on traditional, vintage, retro, mid-century or modern furniture.

Established in 2006 and with over 18 years teaching experience, we pride ourselves in the quality of work that our students produce.

Victorian Armchair

Good quality upholstery is achieved by eye, feel and judgement and these skills take time and practice to acquire. Every chair is different so we aim to give you the skills and information required to adapt to each individual piece of furniture.  A progressive series of exercises and projects will enable you to develop good skills, experience work practices and to apply your own ideas and creative approaches to real life situations.  We will teach you how to strip back to the frame, repair and reupholster different styles of upholstery from the most basis drop-in seat through mid-century modern to the more complex traditionally upholstered armchairs and sofas. 

The AMUSF three stage Diploma course will give you the skills required to develop a small upholstery business or for finding meaningful employment with an existing upholsterer.

We offer a range of soft furnishing courses and classes from one and two-day short taster courses for beginners through to fully accredited professional qualification courses that are designed to give you the information, practice and experience required to enable you to develop your own soft furnishing business making beautiful bespoke soft furnishings.

If you are looking for a career in soft furnishings then you should be qualified with a high level of skill and a good understanding of the legal requirements. The Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) Soft Furnishings Certificate has been developed over a number of years by experienced practitioners in the industry and are designed to give you excellent sewing skills and a very good understanding of setting up and running a professional soft furnishing business, producing beautiful work that you can be proud of.