New to upholstery and have lots of questions?

My essential video starter guide gives information you can rely on from someone who’s been there, and helps you get the most from you upholstery training.

Start training fully prepared.

Including the answers to burning questions like:

  • What costs do I need to consider?

  • What tools do I need to start out – and what to get later?

  • What is modern and traditional upholstery?

  • How do I choose a beginner’s project?

  • What does it take to be a professional upholsterer?

And more…

Plus, email access to me so you always have a place to go for answers.

I’m Sharon O’Connor and this was my training journey…

Following a twenty year career in fashion, I retrained with the Association of Master Upholsterers and the Cass Art Faculty of Design before starting my business, Vintique Upholstery, in 2013.

From my studio in Sunbury-on-Thames, I reupholster pre-loved items of furniture, restoring them to their former glory to create bespoke, statement pieces.

I love the craft of upholstery, but when I was training, it felt like I was navigating this new world blind.

There was little in the way of guidance before I started and even once I’d finished training. I learnt from trial and error, which took longer and cost me more.

I am determined to make things better for new upholstery trainees and enthusiasts.

To make information more accessible and the upholstery industry a more welcoming place.

Thank you so much for your upholstery guide. I started my AMSUF stage 1 earlier this month, and your guide was so, so helpful. My biggest takeaway is finding the right course for what I want to do –I have to go further in order to do an AMUSF course, but I realised that it was going to be worth it to get the proper accreditation in the end. Seeing your workshop was really inspiring too.

Sarah

Virtual Vintique: Upholstery Uncovered contains all the information you need to make a really educated decision about whether a career or hobby in upholstery might be for you. It’s open and honest, which is really refreshing. I am still working my way through the stages and I’m looking forward to starting the next one.

Kirsty

I debated about whether to sign up to Sharon’s Virtual Vintique: Upholstery Uncovered course as I recently started an upholstery AMUSF course, but I’m so pleased that I did. It’s jam packed with information, tips and tricks for any budding upholsterer. The videos and PDFs are fantastic and the private Facebook group, with access to a community of like-minded people, plus ongoing advice from Sharon, will be invaluable going forwards.

Paula

Upholstery Uncovered….. What’s inside.

Included in this digital guide:

6 comprehensive modules of video content (2+ hours).

7 invaluable accompanying resources.

2 bonuses: studio and house tour.

What you’ll learn

Module 1

What makes a good upholsterer

  • The traits and qualities needed.

  • What to focus on and how to develop as an upholsterer.

  • What it really takes to take upholstery forward as a hobby or a business.

Module 2

Training tips and considerations

  • The difference between a course and a class.

  • What an accreditation is with the Association of Master Upholsterers (AMU).

  • An overview of traditional and modern upholstery.

Module 3

Set yourself up for success

  • Choosing the right projects.

  • The Do’s and Don’ts of fabrics.

  • Unmissable insider tips.

Click to view bonus content

Module 4

What you need to master

  • The different skills you need as an upholsterer.

  • Woodwork, sewing, box cushions and pattern matching.

  • Additional areas of upholstery that you’ll encounter in your training and beyond.

Module 5

Inside an upholsterer’s toolkit

  • Tools I have and what I use them for.

  • The tools you do and don’t need for your starter kit.

  • I’ll share how I started out and it may surprise you!

Click to view bonus content

Module 6

Trade secrets and top tips

  • Learn how to salvage fabric in seconds.

  • What to do with accidents on fabrics.

  • How to revive wood.

  • Getting the best outcome for each project.

What you’ll learn

Module 1

What makes a good upholsterer

  • The traits and qualities needed.

  • What to focus on and how to develop as an upholsterer.

  • What it really takes to take upholstery forward as a hobby or a business.

Module 2

Training tips and considerations

  • The difference between a course and a class.

  • What an accreditation is with the Association of Master Upholsterers (AMU).

  • An overview of traditional and modern upholstery.

Module 3

Set yourself up for success

  • Choosing the right projects.

  • The Do’s and Don’ts of fabrics.

  • Unmissable insider tips.

Bonus content: I lift the veil on what’s inside an upholsterer’s workshop, so you can begin building up your workspace and maybe even a studio of your own.

Module 4

What you need to master

  • The different skills you need as an upholsterer.

  • Woodwork, sewing, box cushions and pattern matching.

  • Additional areas of upholstery that you’ll encounter in your training and beyond.

Module 5

Inside an upholsterer’s toolkit

  • Tools I have and what I use them for.

  • The tools you do and don’t need for your starter kit.

  • I’ll share how I started out and it may surprise you!

Bonus content: Through the keyhole – I take you on a house tour. Get inspired by how I source imperfect pieces and re-create them for my own home, using the craft of upholstery.

Module 6

Trade secrets and top tips

  • Learn how to salvage fabric in seconds.

  • What to do with accidents on fabrics.

  • How to revive wood.

  • Getting the best outcome for each project.

Invaluable resources

Accompanying  resources that you simply won’t find anywhere else:

  • Guide to courses and classes

  • My little black book of stockists

  • Essential kit bag

  • Glossary of upholstery supplies

  • Beginner’s guide to furniture design

  • Step-by-step upholstering a Lloyd Loom Ottoman.

  • Guide: Five upholstery projects to master.

Invaluable resources

Accompanying  resources that you simply won’t find anywhere else:

  • Guide to courses and classes

  • My little black book of stockists

  • Essential kit bag

  • Glossary of upholstery supplies

  • Beginner’s guide to furniture design

  • Step-by-step upholstering a Lloyd Loom Ottoman.

  • Guide: Five upholstery projects to master.

With this guide in your toolkit, you will have the knowledge to:

  • Build up your skillset and develop the qualities of a professional.

  • Select suitable beginners’ projects for your stage of training.

  • Put together your toolkit and create a workspace.

  • Choose the right fabrics and sundries for your projects.

  • Overcome common challenges.

  • Build up your skillset and develop the qualities of a professional.

  • Select suitable beginners’ projects for your stage of training.

  • Put together your toolkit and create a workspace.

  • Choose the right fabrics and sundries for your projects.

  • Overcome common challenges.

*Please note: this is not a technical course. It won’t teach you how to strip back a sofa or re-spring a chair.

“I wanted to get into upholstery and had no idea where to begin. I did a lot of research online and overwhelmed myself with information. I then found Sharon’s Upholstery Uncovered online introduction and it demystified it all for me, making it clear which path would suit me best. There’s bundles of other tips and information which I’ll dip into as and when I need to. A really valuable tool!

Sharon is super down to earth and explains everything so well.”

Claire

“It built on my existing knowledge of upholstery; it really helped me learn more about what it takes to become an upholsterer. All the information is helpful for someone just starting out. From my own point of view, I have taken away some good points and the contact lists for suppliers, fabrics, etc., are great!”

Irene

I bought the guide because I was considering whether upholstery was something I could take on as more than a hobby; I wanted to know exactly what would be involved in getting formal training and working as an upholsterer. It did not disappoint! Virtual Vintique is an absolute wealth of information, presented in a really approachable way. My biggest takeaway from it is that I can really see how upholstery lines up with my creativity and love for pattern and colour; and my values of reusing and rescuing items, making them beautiful and ready to be enjoyed for many more years to come. I also love the Facebook community and your house tour.

Indya

Are you ready to get started?