Upholsterers

HOW TO GET THERE

Typical pathway

A typical route is to complete secondary school and build practical skills in sewing, measuring, cutting, and using hand and power tools. Many people learn through on-the-job training or by starting as an helper in an upholstery shop, furniture repair business, or related shop. Some employers may prefer experience with sewing machines, basic woodworking, or interior repair work, and requirements can vary by employer or province. Short courses or training in upholstery, textiles, furniture repair, or automotive or marine interior work can also help. Early experience with customer service and careful, detail-focused work is useful.

THE WORK

What you may do

Legacy duties

• Discuss upholstery fabric, colour, and style with customers and provide cost estimate for upholstering furniture or other items
• Lay out, measure and cut upholstery materials according to sketches or design specifications
• Replace worn-out webbing, springs and other furniture parts using hand and power tools
• Operate sewing machines or sew upholstery materials by hand to seam cushions and join sections of covering materials
• Install padding and underlays and fasten covering materials to furniture frames
• Tack, glue or sew ornamental trim, braids or buttons on upholstered items
• Lay out, cut, fabricate and install upholstery in aircrafts, motor vehicles, railway cars, boats and ships
• May repair furniture frames and refinish wood surfaces
• May make upholstery patterns from sketches, customer descriptions or blueprints
• May install, fabricate, maintain and repair interior components of aircraft, such as seats, coverings, drapes, cargo nets, flooring, closets, bins and panels.

SKILLS TO BUILD

Skills used in this Career