Programme Friday
Doors Open 10:00am
Reusing Existing Upholstery: Live with Elsie Hutcheon (Techniques & Practical Advice)
Elsie Hutcheon of Cornhill Courses, Fife, shares her approach to reusing existing upholstery in this live demonstration. With a career in upholstery spanning back to the 1980s, she will demonstrate how to assess and retain original materials, including existing pads, to deliver a considered and practical result. The session is filmed up close and projected onto a screen, with audience Q&A throughout. Free event. Booking essential.
Time: 10:30 - 11:30
Running an Upholstery Business: Practical Advice & Q&A
This session looks at the realities of running an upholstery business, including pricing, using AI in your workflow, and where to find support. Designed to provide practical, relevant advice, it will finish with a Q&A—attendees can submit questions in advance when booking.
Free event. Booking essential.
Time: 12:30 - 13:30
Sewing a Box Cushion: Live with Susie Stanway (Expert Tips & Techniques)
Join Susie Stanway for a live, step-by-step demonstration on how to sew a box cushion. Filmed up close and projected onto the main screen, this session offers a clear view of every stage, with opportunities to ask questions throughout.
Free Event. Booking essential.
Time: 14:15 - 15:15
Event Closes 16:00pm
Awards 16:00 - 16:45pm
National Upholstery Awards from the Worshipful Company of Upholsterers
David James Award & Challenge Trophy from the Guild of Traditional Upholsterers
Awards from the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers
Evening Social Event 18:00 - 23:00pm
Programme Saturday
Doors Open 10:00am
Sit on This! Podcast - guest to be revealed
Join Sit on This!, the upholstery podcast hosted by Ray Clarke and Vicky Grubb, for a live recording at the Festival of Upholstery. Recorded in front of a live audience, this special podcast will feature guest Rohan Blacker of Schplendid Sofas, with a relaxed and open discussion exploring their experience, ideas on sustainability, and perspective on the craft. Expect real insight, practical conversation, and a few good stories along the way.
Time: 10:30 - 11:30
Sustainable Upholstery: Materials, Methods & Mindset with Vanessa Butt
Join Vanessa Butt for a practical look at sustainability in upholstery. Beginning with what sustainability really means in practice, Vanessa will explore a range of materials you may not have considered, discussing the pros and cons of each. She will also share the thinking behind developing the Thought Fill cushion, offering insight into how new ideas can be tested and refined—giving you the confidence to develop your own solutions.
Finishing with an open Q&A. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance when booking.
Time: 12:30 - 13:30
Guerrilla Upholsterer Speaks
Meet instagram hit the Guerrila upholsterer who will talk about reupholstering chairs found on the streets recovered in outlandish ways, upholstering bus shelters, nuisance upholstery, toys left in chairs, chair treasures, workshop discos, and more upholstery related "dicking about". Animal masks optional. Find him on insta @guerrilla_upholsterer
Time: 14:15 - 15:15
15:30pm Worshipful Company of Upholders bench and compressor prize draw
Event Closes 16:00pm
Drop by Demos and Clinics
More Than Talks: Demonstrations, Advice and Activities Throughout the Festival
Between the speaker sessions, the Festival will be alive with practical demonstrations, specialist advice, live projects and opportunities to ask questions. Some activities will run throughout both days, while others will take place at scheduled times.