3-Day Leather Upholstery Workshop, Castle Rock, CO April 4-6, 2024

The Whimsical Chair is teaching a 3-day Leather Workshop.

I will be teaching a 3-day leather workshop April 4-6, 2024. If you’ve been wanting to add leather to your upholstery skills this is the workshop for you. This class is limited to 4 students for individual attention.

Day 1: Intro to leather. This day will include how to measure for your project to calculate your sq. ft. in leather. How to order your hides. What to do when they arrive.  How to inspect the hides before you start your project. How to store your hides. Where to make your cuts. How to skive, stitch, and make buttons and welt. Coming up with a plan for your chair and planning your cuts on the hide. 

Day 2: Getting started on your chair. Ways to attach the leather to the frame. What are the differences between fabric and leather?  Start cutting leather and upholstering your chair. How and why to vent leather cushions and solid benches or seats.  

Day 3: Continue working on your chair. How to make a leather zipper for a cushion. How to topstitch leather. What to know if you want to add leather welt to your cushion? Wrap up your chair project. If time allows we’ll practice sewing and creating with leather scraps. Some projects may be pillows, poufs, and baskets.

The leather workshop is $895 per student for the 3-day workshop. A $450 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. We will be in class from 9-5 each day. Students will have a 1-hour lunch break.  

What is included in the workshop:

The use of workroom tools, workhorses, compressors, and worktables. Basic upholstery supplies such as staples, plygrip, and tack strip will be provided. The instruction for the 3-days and leather educational information. 

What the student is responsible for:

Students are responsible for their own travel, hotel, and meals. 

Each student will bring their own chair frame (this must be approved before the workshop). I recommend a parsons chair or a similar style for the workshop. It should be torn down before the start of class. Any frame repair and foundation work should be done before the workshop. The leather hide is not included in the price of the class. Hides will be purchased by the students. Crest Leather will offer practice hides at a discount. These hides are great for learning but they come in limited colors. You may also purchase the leather from any of the hides they offer through their wholesale account. I will send you the leather pricing and information prior to your registration upon request. Students are also responsible for all the upholstery supplies that they will need to complete their chair project.

This is a suggested supply list: 

You can bring whatever you may want to use for your project. Tools will be provided. If you have a favorite tool feel free to bring it along.

Notebook and pencil

Leather

Thread #69 (if you want it to match your leather)

Cotton and Foam for padding

Dacron

Decorative Nails

Feel free to email me questions before signing up for any workshops. Please read the cancellation policy in the FAQ section.

Let’s Create!