Basic Upholstery Short Course

Learn the basic skills of Upholstery and more with our Woodwork courses in Sydney.

Got a tired chair or stool that needs new life? Join this fun and hands-on introduction to upholstery and learn how to bring furniture back to life—starting with a simple, practical project you can take home.

In this 5-hour workshop, you’ll learn the foundational skills, tools, and materials used in upholstery while creating your own milk crate topper. With expert guidance, you'll walk away with the confidence to tackle small projects at home.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have explored concepts and techniques such as:

• Recall knowledge of general workshop safety
• Understand how to select appropriate fabrics for your project
• Measure and cut foam
• Understand what kind of timber to use for creating a base for your project
• Recall knowledge of basic upholstery principles and tools
• Take home a milk crate topper

After finishing this course, you might like to enrol in our Furniture Repair & Restoration workshop

Course content

During the course, participants will work with techniques and ideas such as: 

Getting started

• Workshop safety protocols and housekeeping procedures
• Introduction to the project: milk crate topper
• Benefits of repairing and reusing materials

Tools & techniques

• Introduction to basic upholstery tools
• Attaching foam to a plywood base
• Applying dacron and fabric
• Securing the base fabric (plug)

Expect a mix of theory and hands-on practice. Mistakes are part of the learning—your facilitator is there to support and guide you throughout the process.

Intended audience

Who is this introduction to upholstery course for?

This course is designed for those with little to no knowledge or experience in woodworking. 

Course venue

Where is the workshop located?

Workshops are held at the Summer Hill campus. You'll receive full venue details when you enrol.

Course materials

What to bring to class

• Close-toed shoes
• Dust masks or safety equipment if you have any

Additional information

Please note the following:

• Please don't wear your best clothing
• If you have long hair, please tie it back
• Wear closed-in shoes, no heels, please
• Please do not wear jewellery
• Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and instructor approach.