2 Day session making a modern upholstered bench.
Sat 13 & Sun 14 February 2027
4 people max, running 10-4 Sun & Sat, 1 hr break for lunch (10 hours tuition).
No experience required: fun, informal, friendly, and you get to take your very own upholstered birch frame bench home.
I’m excited to bring this workshop that I have taught at West Dean College to my studio in Lewes. We will be working hard, learning lots and having fun - everyone works in different ways, with different strengths, because we work in small groups everyone gets attention, and I will share general upholstery tips & ideas throughout the day, answering questions as they arise.
The bench is 80cm wide, 40cm deep and can reasonably support two people. Perfect for the Hall, Bedroom or Dining area. Simple modern design & silhouette in lush Linwood velvets - it is possible to bring your own Top Fabric with prior approval (just so that we can confirm it is upholstery weight, and will work with this design).
But it’s not round? True, but the corners are round ! No banged knees or bruised thighs and no stiff upholstered corners
Other stuff : Choice of colour ways, incl piping - learn a mix of modern and traditional upholstery techniques choice of recycled wools & linwood fabric eco-friendly velvets, rubberised coconut hair and FSC birch ply frame - treading lightly, as you would expect.
Where is it? The workshop takes place in my Studio at Star Brewery which is right in the heart of the historic market town of Lewes, East Sussex, just one hour from London and 15 mins from Brighton by train. Lots of shops, places to eat, drink and places to stay, see below!
What will we actually do? Each person will upholster their own bench. Everyone will leave with a completed and beautiful piece.
- We will work using pre-cut wood template
- We will use natural latex, hair and coconut fillers, which we will cut to form at the Studio
- You will learn how to use traditional tools including magnetic tack hammers, tack lifters, mallets and regulators
- You will shape the filler and apply and fix edge rolls.
- You will tension the upper upholstered section with calico and tack
- You will cover the upper in Top Fabric and secure using electric staple guns
- If using buttons and piping – these will be made up and applied
- You will attach the legs and stand back and smile.
Dependent on the interests of the group on the day, I will talk through different ways to upholster, fabric and material selections, and share details on suppliers, etc.
I try to tread lightly with the pieces I make, and am delighted that all Rounded by workshops focus on use of natural, sustainable, and recycled materials, employing techniques (and materials) which allow for repair, ensuring that everything we make is made for life, not landfill.
If you are travelling from out of town, there are lots of places to stay to suit most budgets, Air BNB's, a Premier Inn and luxe rooms at The White Hart - there are great independent places to eat in the town, Squisito, Caccia & Tails, Number 34, Dill, Cafe Vegu, Pestle & Mortar, loads of great pubs (13 I think!), 3 fantastic Breweries (Beak, Harveys & Abyss), cafes galore including the glorious Taith & Ground, plus Glyndebourne, Charleston, The Towner, De La Warr Pavillion, Ditchling Museum of Arts & Crafts, the South Downs AND the glorious sea all at your door, you can make a great mini break of it?Cancellation Policy : A full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts.
All activities are entered into at the participants own risk.
2 Day session making a modern upholstered bench.
Sat 13 & Sun 14 February 2027
4 people max, running 10-4 Sun & Sat, 1 hr break for lunch (10 hours tuition).
No experience required: fun, informal, friendly, and you get to take your very own upholstered birch frame bench home.
I’m excited to bring this workshop that I have taught at West Dean College to my studio in Lewes. We will be working hard, learning lots and having fun - everyone works in different ways, with different strengths, because we work in small groups everyone gets attention, and I will share general upholstery tips & ideas throughout the day, answering questions as they arise.
The bench is 80cm wide, 40cm deep and can reasonably support two people. Perfect for the Hall, Bedroom or Dining area. Simple modern design & silhouette in lush Linwood velvets - it is possible to bring your own Top Fabric with prior approval (just so that we can confirm it is upholstery weight, and will work with this design).
But it’s not round? True, but the corners are round ! No banged knees or bruised thighs and no stiff upholstered corners
Other stuff : Choice of colour ways, incl piping - learn a mix of modern and traditional upholstery techniques choice of recycled wools & linwood fabric eco-friendly velvets, rubberised coconut hair and FSC birch ply frame - treading lightly, as you would expect.
Where is it? The workshop takes place in my Studio at Star Brewery which is right in the heart of the historic market town of Lewes, East Sussex, just one hour from London and 15 mins from Brighton by train. Lots of shops, places to eat, drink and places to stay, see below!
What will we actually do? Each person will upholster their own bench. Everyone will leave with a completed and beautiful piece.
- We will work using pre-cut wood template
- We will use natural latex, hair and coconut fillers, which we will cut to form at the Studio
- You will learn how to use traditional tools including magnetic tack hammers, tack lifters, mallets and regulators
- You will shape the filler and apply and fix edge rolls.
- You will tension the upper upholstered section with calico and tack
- You will cover the upper in Top Fabric and secure using electric staple guns
- If using buttons and piping – these will be made up and applied
- You will attach the legs and stand back and smile.
Dependent on the interests of the group on the day, I will talk through different ways to upholster, fabric and material selections, and share details on suppliers, etc.
I try to tread lightly with the pieces I make, and am delighted that all Rounded by workshops focus on use of natural, sustainable, and recycled materials, employing techniques (and materials) which allow for repair, ensuring that everything we make is made for life, not landfill.
If you are travelling from out of town, there are lots of places to stay to suit most budgets, Air BNB's, a Premier Inn and luxe rooms at The White Hart - there are great independent places to eat in the town, Squisito, Caccia & Tails, Number 34, Dill, Cafe Vegu, Pestle & Mortar, loads of great pubs (13 I think!), 3 fantastic Breweries (Beak, Harveys & Abyss), cafes galore including the glorious Taith & Ground, plus Glyndebourne, Charleston, The Towner, De La Warr Pavillion, Ditchling Museum of Arts & Crafts, the South Downs AND the glorious sea all at your door, you can make a great mini break of it?Cancellation Policy : A full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts.
All activities are entered into at the participants own risk.
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