Upholstery Courses
Everything there is to know about our upholstery courses in Bristol.
Hear from our learners or contact us for more information.
About Our Upholstery Courses
Based on traditional skills that are tried and tested, upholstery is a great way to breathe new life into a piece of furniture that deserves a refresh. Instead of throwing your furniture into landfill, how about upcycling and repurposing that heirloom or skip find!
Maybe you have inherited an item that has seen better days or perhaps you have spotted a piece which you love the structure of, but that needs work to really bring it to life?
Changing the fabric to one of your choice, adding buttons and/or flutes, repairing the padding, webbing or springs can all provide you with a truly bespoke piece of furniture that is a unique statement piece that will enhance your home and life.
Courses on Offer
One-Day Workshops
You might choose to do a one-day upholstery workshop. These courses are great for a taster into upholstery where you are working on a small piece such as a stool or drop in seat/dining chair that can be finished in a day. Lots of learners use these workshops as inspiration to help you get started with a project. If you have a project ‘on the go’ you might find these one-day workshops perfect to help to progress or finish an existing project.
Intensive Courses
We offer intensive classes where you have several days in a row to work more intensively on your project. These courses are particularly good if you have something you really want to get on with as they give you the opportunity to get stuck into your project.
Longer Weekly Courses
We also have longer courses and workshops where you attend for one session a week for 6 or 12 weeks. This allows you to build up work on your project over several weeks. Ideally suited for bigger and more complicated piece or pieces.
UPCOMING COURSES
Description: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 13 Jan 2025 (Spring) Times: Mon 09:30-12:30 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £136 (Concession: £83)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 13 Jan 2025 (Spring) Times: Mon 13:00-15:30 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £114 (Concession: £72)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 14 Jan 2025 (Spring) Times: Tue 18:30-21:00 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £114 (Concession: £72)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 16 Jan 2025 (Spring) Times: Thu 18:30-21:00 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £114 (Concession: £72)
Find Out MoreDescription: These one-day workshops can be used as a “taster” or as an opportunity to complete an unfinished project. Hands-on experience from the start; you will begin work on your project after a short introduction.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 08 Feb 2025 (Spring) Times: Sat 10:00-16:00 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £65 (Concession: £46)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 24 Feb 2025 (Spring) Times: Mon 09:30-12:30 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £163 (Concession: £99)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 24 Feb 2025 (Spring) Times: Mon 13:00-15:30 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £136 (Concession: £83)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 25 Feb 2025 (Spring) Times: Tue 18:30-21:00 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £136 (Concession: £83)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 27 Feb 2025 (Spring) Times: Thu 18:30-21:00 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £136 (Concession: £83)
Find Out MoreDescription: These one-day workshops can be used as a “taster” or as an opportunity to complete an unfinished project. Hands-on experience from the start; you will begin work on your project after a short introduction.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 04 Apr 2025 (Spring) Times: Fri 09:30-15:30 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £65 (Concession: £46)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 22 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Tue 18:30-21:00 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £114 (Concession: £72)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 24 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Thu 18:30-21:00 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £114 (Concession: £72)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 28 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Mon 09:30-12:30 Duration: 10 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £270 (Concession: £163)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 28 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Mon 13:00-15:30 Duration: 10 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £225 (Concession: £136)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 03 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Tue 18:30-21:00 Duration: 7 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £159 (Concession: £97)
Find Out MoreDescription: Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. if your project requires it, you can also learn to use a sewing machine. Hands on experience from the start.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 05 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Thu 18:30-21:00 Duration: 7 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £159 (Concession: £97)
Find Out MoreDescription: These one-day workshops can be used as a “taster” or as an opportunity to complete an unfinished project. Hands-on experience from the start; you will begin work on your project after a short introduction.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 14 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Sat 10:00-16:00 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £65 (Concession: £46)
Find Out MoreDescription: These one-day workshops can be used as a “taster” or as an opportunity to complete an unfinished project. Hands-on experience from the start; you will begin work on your project after a short introduction.
Tutor: Nicky Hamilton Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 04 Jul 2025 (Summer) Times: Fri 09:30-15:30 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £65 (Concession: £46)
Find Out MoreTutor Profile
Nicky Hamilton
My first experience with upholstery was in an evening class over 30 years ago, I loved it and was hooked.
I gave up my job as a Physiotherapist and embarked on a full-time, 2 year, City and Guilds course in Upholstery which I passed with distinction.
In 1994, once the course was over, I set up an upholstery business in Redland Train Station with a fellow student called Renee Hodson, and Hamilton & Hodson was born. Renee moved on, and my new business partner is Erica Fredricksson. We take commissions, refurbish preloved furniture for retail, and we also teach there.
I currently split my time between H&H (still in the station!), teaching at Stoke Lodge in Bristol and spending time with my young daughter.
I have taught upholstery at Stoke Lodge since 2008 and really enjoy seeing others become enthused, as I did all those years ago in an evening class just like the ones I now teach!
Video Tutorials
Watch our tutorial video, making your own trim – upholstery course with Nicky Hamilton
Our Gallery
Here is a look at some of our students’ projects and testimonies.
Testimonials What our learners say...
“I did the course with my 2 daughters. It was our 4th time of doing this workshop. I love everything about it – it’s creative, it’s technical, it can’t be rushed, and we work towards changing something tatty and old and transform it into something useful and beautiful.”
“The course is tailored to your specific project and Nicky is very good at explaining and demonstrating new approaches.”
“A very friendly group and tutor, everyone was busy as well as interested. Would definitely join again.”
“It was difficult! – but the tutor demonstration was extremely helpful. I learnt how to gather corners, so it all laid a lot flatter and looked wonderful. The result moved me forward a great deal. Thanks Nicky.”
“Nicky is very knowledgeable, helpful and clear in her instructions. She was very positive and encouraging. I really liked her calm and methodical approach. She had all the materials we needed. I felt the course was very good value.
“I managed to do everything I had hoped to do. Nicky is a calm and experienced tutor.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Need More Information
Contact Us
Need more information regarding our upholstery courses? You can call us on 0117 903 8844, email or visit us in person at Stoke Lodge. Office hours applies.
Stoke Lodge Adult Learning Centre
Shirehampton Road, Bristol, BS9 1BN