Advanced upholsterer - Traditional Upholsterer

Health, safety and environmental management and risk assessment for example Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Health And Safety At Work Act (HASAWA), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) and manual handling

Fabric characteristics, identification and appropriate usage of fabrics

How to create templates, lay, cut, prepare and sew fabric components

Upholstery frame construction and repair techniques for example jointing, gluing and replacing components

Leather faults and how to mark and resolve for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration in leather

Upholstery industry specific regulations, legislation and standards, covering flammability regulations, British Standards, CE Marks (Conformité Européenne), Intellectual Property and renewable practices

How to realise and manage customer expectations for example statutory rights and responsibilities, consumer rights, lead times, after sales support

Basic project management including principles and techniques of good project management

Effective communication skills and techniques including verbal, written and physical non-verbal

How to manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets for example raw materials

Industry materials including fabrics, springs, fillings, frames, linings, trimmings, legs, feet and castors

Modern and traditional manufacturing methods for example traditional hand techniques and modern machinery techniques

Ergonomic and aesthetic design principles in the upholstery industry

Different types of filling materials and when they should be used for example polyurethane foam, synthetic cotton and feathers

Modern upholstery techniques including the use of power tools and machinery

Modern methods of bespoke furniture production and assembly including stapling, machine sewing

History of upholstered furniture and styles, periods and iconic designers of the 20th & 21st Century

How to design, bespoke pieces of furniture using modern manufacturing methods

Materials, construction methods and product specifications used in modern upholstery, for example boards, springs, spring units, webbing, alternative support systems, fastenings and fabrics

Limitations relating to process and end uses and how to identify these

How to provide estimates to customers and cost projects

Equality and diversity and how this applies in the workplace

Conflict management

Styles, periods and iconic designers from pre-20th Century, 20th Century including 1930s art deco through to current trends and history of upholstered furniture, materials and methods

Traditional upholstery methods for example hand stitching, tacking and stuffing

How to create, renovate or restore furniture pieces for example re-covering or replacement fillings

How to strip back old/antique upholstery in order to start the restoration/repair

Budgeting, including providing customer estimates and costing projects

How to finish show wood frames for example French polishing

Work safely at all times

Prepare and sew fabric components using advanced methods for example fluting, float, deep-buttoning and other decorative detailing

Create templates, lay and cut fabric components

Evaluate upholstery frames and repair as required

Identify, mark and resolve faults in leather for example scuffs, scratches, stains, burn marks, water marks and discolouration

Quality assure upholstery products to meet relevant industry specific regulations, legislation and standards

Realise and manage customer expectations

Apply basic project management techniques

Apply effective communication techniques at all levels including written and verbal communication skills

Manage upholstery resources effectively to meet budgets including materials, components and time

Define materials, construction methods and product specifications for furniture to be produced

Select and fix different types of filling materials for example natural and manmade fillings

Select and apply materials for suspensions including springs, sprung units, suspension systems and webbing

Provide accurate estimates to customers

Upholster products using advanced modern methods for example stapling, machine sewing

Use power tools and machinery to upholster products for example CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) cutting machinery and staple guns

Produce & assemble bespoke pieces of furniture using modern methods

Design and create bespoke pieces of furniture using modern manufacturing methods

Define manufacturing processes for furniture to be produced

Set timescales and costings for furniture to be produced

Manage self and others to achieve objectives and lead teams by providing directions, instructions and guidance

Apply coaching, mentoring and team development techniques such as the GROW model (Goal, Current Reality, Options (or Obstacles) Will (or Way Forward) and apply basic conflict management skills including recognising and resolving conflicts

Apply basic conflict management skills including recognising and resolving conflicts

Upholster products using traditional materials and methods such as using materials like coil springs (post-1850), animal hair (horse, hog and cow), coir, fibres, hessians, linen scrims, wadding by hand, building each layer up

Apply traditional upholstery techniques, for example hand stuffing, hand stitching and tacking in order to renovate/restore furniture pieces

Apply traditional upholstery materials and fabrics for example hessian and linen to repair antique/old furniture

Strip back upholstery to frames using appropriate tools and methods

Provide accurate estimates to customers

Identify the process to finish / repair show wood frames

Commit to achieving and maintaining upholstery quality standards and efficiently rates

Has a calm and reasonable approach when completing upholstery tasks

Adheres to company values

Be reflective on skills, knowledge and behaviours and seek opportunities to develop and advance skills in response to the evolving manufacturing environment and technologies

Demonstrate confidence in your ability and enthusiasm as an upholsterer

Have a safety-first attitude, ensuring the safety of self and others as appropriate

Is customer focused, demonstrate behaviour that puts the customer first

Approaches each task with enthusiasm and demonstrates a high level of motivation and resilience when facing challenges

Thorough and accurate when accomplishing upholstery tasks