The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers qualifications are based on acquiring good practical and relevant skills. These qualifications may lead to employment within the industry or with additional practice may lead to you starting your own small business.
The AMUSF qualifications in both Upholstery and Soft Furnishings are reviewed regularly to make sure they are consistent with current industry practices. Successful completion of all three stages in the Upholstery qualification will result in the award of the AMUSF Diploma.
This upholstery qualification is delivered in three stages with each stage being a qualification in its own right and will be certificated separately. Each stage should be delivered with a minimum 210 hours.
Stage 1 - Craft Certificate
- Drop-in seat (modern materials)
- Drop-in seat (traditional materials including fabric and bottoming cloth)
- Stitched and stuffed footstool or chair (traditional materials and methods including fabric and bottoming)
- Sprung dining chair (traditional materials and methods including fabric and bottoming cloth)
- Scatter cushion with piping and zip
- Sprung arm exercise for an inset facing (traditional materials and methods. Calico to be stitched under the roll. Fabric need not to be applied)
- Box Cushion with piping and zip (sample)
- Bolster End with piping (sample)
- Upholstered and lined box with deep-buttoned lid (modern materials, with a minimum of three diamonds)
- Portfolio containing notes and details of work in progress
- A Written Research Project
- Note: Either the Box or the Scatter Cushion to include some form of decorative detail/fabric manipulation.
Stage 2 - Intermediate Craft Certificate
- T-Shaped Cushion with piping and zips (samples)
- Tailoring, including the fitting of caps and collars (samples)
- Independent sprung edge for a cushion seat (exercise) (traditional materials and methods, including fabric and front border)
- Armless chair with traditionally upholstered seat and back (seat to be sprung with coil springs)
- Post 1950s Armchair upholstered using modern materials & methods
- Portfolio containing notes and details of work in progress
- Written Research Project
Stage 3 - Diploma
- Substantial Traditional Armchair of advanced techniques, which should include at least two of the following elements: the fitting of caps and collars, scroll arms or stitched-up edges to arms, sprung arms, coil sprung seats, independent sprung edges, deep buttoning, fluting or an iron framed chair
- Modern Chair with a concave inside back incorporating tailored fitting and top stitching
i.e. Egg style (shell frame) - Portfolio containing notes and details of work in progress
- Written Research Project
Book Your Upholstery Course
Booking is easy. We offer a range of courses for both leisure and professional training from one week, project courses and upholstery clubs, to the certificated diploma courses. We offer flexible attendance so you can choose how you want to attend to fit with your life whether that be over consecutive weeks or spread out in short blocks.
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