Learn a beautiful, useful trade.
Upholstery courses at The Old Granary in Privett, between Petersfield, Alton and Winchester. Small classes, one-to-one attention, and whatever your pace, there's a course to suit you.
How much time do you have?
The Taster Day
Spend a relaxed day in the workshop with a small project.
Read the Full Details ↓The Taster Day
Whether you are a complete novice or have tackled a project at home and are keen to learn new skills, the taster day is for you. We tackle a small item together, such as a dining chair or a little footstool, and you take it home finished.
Who it's for
- Complete beginners, no experience needed
- Anyone curious about upholstery as a hobby
- A lovely gift day for a crafty friend — gift vouchers here
What you'll cover
- Stripping back a small piece safely
- Webbing and base preparation
- Padding
- Fitting and finishing your top cover
What's included
- All tools provided for student use
- Refreshments through the day (bring a packed lunch)
- Any additional padding and fabric is paid for on the day
Pick your Taster Day
One day, 9am–3.30pm. Need a different date? Get in touch.
Secure card payment via Stripe · Dawn confirms your date within one working day · Fees are non-refundable —
The Hobbyist
Give new life to old furniture and create something that reflects your unique style. Bring your own piece to work on (call first to check it's suitable) and turn old into gold over five relaxed days.
Who it's for
- Beginners ready for a proper project
- Taster Day graduates who caught the bug
- Anyone with a treasured piece to rescue
What you'll cover
- Choosing furniture and fabrics
- Tools, materials and their uses
- Stripping furniture, webbing, springs and padding
- Measuring, pattern matching and cutting fabric
- Fitting fabric, trims and piping
- Fitting zips, plus shallow and deep buttoning
What's included
- All tools provided (you're welcome to bring your own)
- Refreshments every day (bring a packed lunch)
- No suitable piece at home? Buy one at the workshop for a nominal charge
How payment works
- Step 1 — Reserve your place today with a £195 booking fee. It's part of the course fee, not an extra charge.
- Step 2 — Pay the remaining £500 no later than 30 days before your course starts.
Pick your start Monday
Five days, Monday to Friday. Need different dates? Get in touch.
Secure card payment via Stripe · The £195 booking fee is deducted from your £695 course fee · Fees are non-refundable —
The Intensive
Are you ready for a career change? The Complete Modern Upholstery Course is your stepping stone to a new career, working through seven real projects from a drop-in dining seat to a full wing chair.
Projects you'll complete
- Drop-in dining chair seat and dining chair
- Footstool
- Wing chair
- Modern armchair
- Headboard
- Scatter cushions
Skills you'll master
- Choosing furniture and fabrics
- Furniture and upholstery regulations
- Tools, materials and their uses
- Stripping, webbing, springs and padding
- Measuring, pattern matching and cutting fabric
- Fitting fabric, trims, piping and zips
- Shallow and deep buttoning
What's included
- Optional phone consultation with Dawn once a month for an entire year
- Headboard and footstool frames, and all upholstery sundries
- Flexible payment by instalments available on this course
How payment works
- Step 1 — Reserve your place today with a £195 booking fee. It's part of the course fee, not an extra charge.
- Step 2 — Complete your enrolment payment of £1,752.50 within 14 days, bringing your total paid to 50% (£1,947.50).
- Step 3 — Pay the remaining £1,947.50 no later than 30 days before your course starts.
Pick your preferred start date
Six weeks from your start date. Intensive dates are flexible — pick the start that suits and Dawn will tailor the schedule around you, or ask about other dates.
Secure card payment via Stripe · The £195 booking fee is deducted from your £3,895 course fee · Fees are non-refundable —
The 12-Month Mentorship
One-to-one time with Dawn as you build your business. The first year on your own is the hardest, and the mentorship makes sure you're never actually on your own.
Who it's for
- Intensive graduates launching their own business
- New upholsterers who want a mentor on call
What's included
- A one-to-one studio day with Dawn every month
- Dedicated telephone support for the whole year
- Access to Dawn's exclusive WhatsApp group of fellow students
Add-ons for new makers.
Tool Kits
The beginners' kit has everything you need: mallet, magnetic tack hammer, regulator, needles, skewers, webbing stretcher and more. The advanced kit adds an air compressor, long-nose staple gun and metre ruler.
Your Own Website
An online presence is crucial for any aspiring upholsterer. A professionally designed website to showcase your work to potential clients.
12-Month Mentorship
A studio day with Dawn every month, telephone support all year and her exclusive WhatsApp group of students. Full details above.
What course students say.
After completing an introductory one-week upholstery course, I was completely hooked. During that first week, I had great fun transforming a wing chair, creating a beautiful finished piece complete with a box cushion. The experience inspired me to enrol on the six-week professional course, which has been just as enjoyable and rewarding. The learning pace is excellent, the flexible timings fit easily around work and life, and the workshop is a welcoming and supportive environment. Thank you to Dawn for her patience and kindness throughout. I thoroughly recommend these courses.
Vicky · 6 Week CourseHaving explored upholstery at a basic level I wanted to learn more and took the plunge and joined Dawn for her 6 week course. She was incredibly flexible in accommodating my ever changing schedule and requests for bringing bits of old furniture to bring back to life. What fun I had, getting it right and wrong in equal measure. I've gained sufficient confidence to offer commissions from my own workshop. I loved my week long trips to Hampshire. If I lived closer I'd pester her more! Thanks Dawn.
Sarah · 6 Week CourseI had such a wonderful time on Dawn's 5-day upholstery course. At last, I transformed a chair that had been sitting at home for years! The course was informative, friendly, and great fun. Dawn was always on hand with help, encouragement, and expert advice whenever it was needed. I'm absolutely thrilled with the chair I came away with and can't wait to book another course with Dawn. Highly recommended!
Jo · 5 Day Hobbyist CourseQuestions, answered.
I'm a complete beginner. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Most students arrive having never picked up a staple lifter. Every course starts from first principles, classes are deliberately small, and you get genuine individual tuition throughout.
What are the course times?
Courses run 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 1pm on Friday, at the studio in Privett.
What should I bring?
A packed lunch (refreshments are provided), suitable footwear, and layers in the colder months. All tools are provided, though you're welcome to bring your own. For course projects, bring your own furniture, or choose from a selection at the workshop for a nominal charge. Please call before booking so we can check your piece is suitable.
Can I bring my own fabric?
Yes, just contact me first to check it's suitable. Otherwise the studio has a large selection of sample books, and with accounts across many fabric suppliers I can source almost anything and advise on the right choice.
How do I book and pay?
The Taster Day is booked and paid in full online. On the five-day Hobbyist and the six-week Intensive you reserve your place with a £195 booking fee — part of the course fee, not an extra. On the Hobbyist the remaining £500 is due 30 days before your course starts. On the Intensive you complete your enrolment payment (bringing your total to 50%) within 14 days, with the balance due 30 days before your course starts. If there are fewer than 30 days to go, full payment is required. Booking fees, deposits and course fees are non-refundable. See the full .
Is there parking at the studio?
Yes, there's ample free parking on site at Hurst Barns. Handy when you're carrying a chair.
What if I don't finish my project in time?
Everyone learns at their own pace. Most students finish within the course, but if you need longer you can book extra days at the standard rate, or complete the piece at home with instructions.
Can you help me set up my own upholstery business?
Yes, that's exactly what the Intensive and the 12-month Mentorship are for. I did it myself, leaving a career in bookkeeping to retrain, and I can even have a professional website built for you to showcase your work.
The key terms, in plain English.
No small print surprises — these are the four points that matter most when you book, and the full terms are one click away.
Paying for your course
The Taster Day is paid in full when you book. On the Hobbyist and the Intensive, a £195 booking fee reserves your place — it's part of the course fee, not an extra. On the Intensive your enrolment payment (bringing you to 50%) is due within 14 days, and every balance is due in full 30 days before your course starts. Booking with fewer than 30 days to go? Full payment is required.
Fees are non-refundable
Booking fees, deposits and course fees are non-refundable. Frames, upholstery sundries and tutor cover are ordered and arranged for your dates as soon as you book, so please choose your dates with care.
If you need to change a date
Where an occasional date needs to move, an alternative will be arranged — just give as much notice as you can. A date cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice is deducted from your course, and a replacement day is charged at the day rate.
If Dawn has to cancel
You'll be offered a full refund or an alternative date, whichever you prefer. Travel and accommodation costs aren't covered, so if you're booking a stay, consider cancellation insurance.
Ready to learn the craft?
Tell me which course you're curious about and I'll come back to you with dates.
Or call 07923 910 749 WhatsApp