Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Correspondence Courses in Upholstery: Course Descriptions

Given the hands-on nature of the art of upholstery, it is very rare to find correspondence courses from vocational schools in the trade. However, it is possible to find online courses from schools that cover concepts and skills needed to upholster furniture. Also available are correspondence courses from other bodies that can provide information regarding upholstering skills and techniques.

Overview of Upholstery Correspondence Courses

Certificates and associate-level degrees related to upholstery are available from community and vocational schools, but online upholstery courses from accredited institutions are hard to come by. However, online courses covering relevant concepts are available on topics like furniture history, furniture design and textiles. Other modes for providing upholstery education via correspondence include written materials and DVDs. Students should be sure to determine whether individual courses fulfill their specific educational purposes, whether they be purely informational or for professional recognition in the field.

Course Requirements

Online upholstery courses require regular access to an up-to-date computer with a high-speed Internet connection and robust processor. A monitor capable of high-color display with a minimum resolution of 800x600, sound card with speakers and DVD player are generally needed. Other frequent requirements include a personal e-mail address, anti-virus software and an updated Web browser.
Correspondence courses without an online component may simply require the ability to view DVDs. However, to practice the techniques, students may need to purchase items like fabric, padding and upholstery needles for their home use.

List of Online Upholstery Courses

Textiles Course

Students learn about both the man-made and natural fibers used in upholstering in this course. Included is a discussion of the nature of various textiles, their design, manufacture and aesthetic applications. The structures of the yarns, fibers and fabrics used in the textile fiber classification system are also covered, along with characteristics like fiber content, surface treatments and embellishments. Material considerations like performance features, aesthetics, comfort and maintenance are also considered.

Upholstery Overview Course

Students will learn about the origins and history of the upholstery craft in this course. The basic components of the upholstery of domestic furniture covered include furniture frames, spring systems, padding and fills, cushions and fabrics. Other types of upholstery, including automobile, marine and commercial, are also discussed. An overview of upholstery-related tools, materials and skills is included.

Residential Upholstery Course

This course discusses how to make repairs and recover most types of domestic furniture. Instruction on repairing and tying springs, installing or replacing webbing, cutting material around frames and safely using a nail gun is provided. Students learn to implement specific features like pleats, diamond tufts or buttons, as well as how to make skirts, cover arms and fashion slip covers. Typically, instruction on how to square corners, insert zippers and sew cushions by hand is also provided.

Auto Upholstery Course

Skills and techniques needed for automobile upholstery are the focus of this course. Students learn to rebuild automobile seats, often including how to cut, sew and cover seats, whether they're bench, bucked or boxed style. Upholstering door and trim panels, headrests and sun visors is discussed, along with installing convertible tops. Working with block and injected mold foam is also commonly covered.

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