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Introduction

Ientered the world of professional upholstery and soft furnishings in 1995 after many years working in the film industry as PA to the film director, Stanley Kubrick, and as a freelance Production Co-ordinator.

Having sewn since school, I decided to return to my roots studying at the London Guildhall University, now known as London Metropolitan University and at West Herts College in Hemel Hempstead. I achieved my professional qualifications gaining distinctions for my work, and in 1998 was awarded the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers Student of the Year Award.

Since then I have worked on individual commissions in both upholstery and soft furnishings and was approved for membership of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) in 1999. My work has been demonstrated and exhibited at the NEC in Birmingham and the Living Crafts Show at Hatfield House. I am also a visiting lecturer at KLC School of Design at the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre in London. My association with the AMUSF has since lead me to become an active board member and I am currently their Director of Training. I am a Fellow of the AMUSF and in 2009 had the honour of being made a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Upholders (the archaic word for upholsterers). I started my teaching career in 1999 at West Herts College and then back at London Metropolitan University. In July 2006, with the support of some fantastic students, I decided to start my own Training Centre in Hertfordshire. I now run a full range of upholstery and soft furnishings courses for both accredited and leisure courses. The Training Centre has gone from strength to strength, with many of my students achieving credits and distinctions for their work and many have since gone on to start their own very successful businesses.

This book is aimed at those with experience of sewing and soft furnishings who are looking to move onto the next level, or looking to break into the industry. But most importantly, they should have a keen interest in producing good quality decorative furnishings.

I have tried to include as much detail as possible in this book, but nothing can ever take the place of good quality ‘hands-on’ practical training with a good tutor or practitioner. The projects are based around the training offered at my training centre and will take you through the basics to more complex projects: hand-stitched curtains, decorative detailing, fitted and tailored bedding and loose covers, which I hope will inspire you to create beautiful, professional looking furnishings of your own.