why i decided on the amusf course
I completed my AMUSF (Association of Master Upholsters & Soft Furnishings) diploma this summer and wanted to reflect on the last 3 years, why I decided to do the course, what it was like (in case you fancy learning some upholstery) and what it taught me (in case you would like me to do some upholstery for you!!)
WHY RETRAIN in Upholstery?
Like so many people returning to a job that I was disillusioned with pre motherhood, it just became harder and harder once my kid was born. I wanted to do something for myself, something where I was using my hands to create. For the previous 15 years I worked as a footwear designer, where the products where mass produced in Asia, which felt increasing not aligned with myself, what I wanted to do in the world and the world I wanted my child to grow up in.
In 2020 (mid pandemic) I decided to do a 5 day short course in upholstery, taking a week off from my 9-5 gave me space and time to really think and realise that I really did want to get out from behind a computer and that life's too short. I went to the amazing School of Stuff in east London (I would highly recommend if you want to test out upholstery or they do an interesting mix of restoration classes). And I was hooked. I wanted to do more... but needed to work out how to fit it in.
The AMUSF course looked interesting but it was 1 day a week over 3 years.... WHY so long? Was there really so much to learn? Mwhahahaha how little I knew then! If I am honest I looked at the projects for the first year, a traditional dining chair, a modern box and a cushion, and felt at a loss how this would take a year. I went to look round and chat to the team at Shoreditch Design Rooms I loved the vibe of the place and looking at other students work convinced me that this was the right move if I wanted to make this a career change. One of the amazing things about Shoreditch Design Rooms is that they are also a working upholstery studio so you get to see projects they are working on day to day and envision how you might make an upholstery business work for you. Its not cheap at all and so actually doing one day a week rather than full time means you can work at the same time. I found it interesting how investing in myself felt, I would find the money if we needed something doing in the house but spending that money on me felt like a lot... (whole other topic there tho!!)
The course takes you back to the basics and really teaches you best practise, I am a confident sewer after having made clothes with my mum from a young age and felt I could make a cushion no problem, but the small hacks and tips and tricks I learnt were amazing and so valuable, both to create better finishes but to be able to think in more of a 'manufacturing way' that has helped me when I am making multiples for clients. The second year sees you tackle a wingback modern chair and a traditional armless chair, the final year a concave modern chair and a traditional arm chair. So you slowly build up the foundations of upholstery so you can begin to understand how you would tackle things on your own. In my second year I managed to negotiate down another day at work and began working on projects outside the course, which was great as I was able to solidify what I was learning and ask my teachers weekly questions (THANK YOU!!!).
I can not really believe that in September 2021 I was preparing myself to go back to college and learning, not really knowing what was going to happen, facing that fear of not knowing very much and being a beginner, the fear of facing new people and having to make friends. To this September having my own business (that is now just about making enough money to support me and itself), and flexible enough that I can work it round my family. There's been blood (get ready for multiple needles through fingers) sweat, and a fair few tears but I have made some amazing friends and learnt so much both about upholstery and myself!
Feel free to give me a shout if your thinking you want to re train but don't know where to start :)