
get the upholstery bug!
HEY I’M ANTHONY…
... and I love making stuff! I’ve been making stuff most of my life but specifically upholstery for almost 30 years, and it never gets boring. That thrill of using my hands to create something beautiful, which other people admire and even give me money for, is a buzz that never gets old!
Around 15 years ago I took a massive leap of faith and founded my own upholstery school. It quickly became the UK’s leading modern upholstery school, attracting students from around the world. Sharing my passion for making and teaching others to do the same is my life’s work.
In November 2019, I was diagnosed with MS, which has impacted my mobility. However, it hasn’t stopped me from doing what I love. Accessibility is incredibly important to me and providing education both online and at my studio allows anyone, anywhere to access high-quality upholstery education without barriers.
I don’t take myself too seriously—I enjoy a good laugh, often at my own expense. This approach makes my courses relaxed and light-hearted, creating a fun learning environment.
Outside of upholstery, I have an amazing wife, a wonderful daughter and an incredible dog (read the My Story section for more about them).
My philosophy? ‘Never, never, never give up!’”

Getting Into Upholstery: Your Beginner’s Guide to Transforming Furniture (and Your Skills!)
Have you ever looked at a tired old chair and thought, “I could make that beautiful again”? Then you’re in the right place!
Whether you want to upholster furniture for fun, start a creative side hustle, or build a brand-new career, this guide will help you take the first steps into the world of upholstery with confidence.
modern v traditional. What’s the difference?
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Traditional upholstery uses the same time-honoured techniques craftspeople have relied on for centuries.
Instead of foam or staples, you use natural materials and hand tools to shape and secure.
Typical materials:
Coir (coconut fibre), horsehair, hessian, and cotton felt
Webbing made from jute
Metal springs, hand-sewn into place
Tacks and stitching instead of staples
Whilst traditional upholstery showcases exquisite craftsmanship and is perfect for restoring antique furniture, it takes time to master and can be challenging to turn into a profitable business.
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Modern upholstery uses contemporary materials and faster methods, making it perfect for beginners or upcyclers who want great results quickly.
Typical materials:
Foam (we prefer to use a new eco-friendly foam-alternative!), polyester wadding, and elasticated webbing
Staple guns instead of tacks
Why choose modern upholstery?
Quick to learn and complete projects
Ideal for upcycling and interior design
More affordable materials and tools
You no longer have to use foam, at Anthony Devine Online we mainly use an eco-friendly foam alternative
Click to expand each one and learn about the main differences.

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You can start your first upholstery project with just a handful of affordable items:
Pneumatic staple gun
Small portable compressor (don’t worry, we can provide lots of help on choosing the right compressor for you)
Airline
Staple remover
Sharp fabric scissors
incers
Hammer or mallet
Regulator
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Fabric choice transforms the entire look and feel of a piece. When you’re starting out:
Avoid stretchy fabrics — they’re harder to tension evenly.
Avoid anything too thin, they are very unforgiving.
Want to get discounted upholstery fabric? You’ll find discounts on loads of upholstery fabric houses in my Upholstery Club.
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Before you dive into big projects, it’s essential to build solid foundations. Mastering the fundamental techniques — like webbing, working with foam, and fabric tensioning — gives you the confidence to tackle any piece. These skills are the heart of good upholstery, and are covered step-by-step inside my Foundations of Upholstery course.
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Upholstery is one of those crafts that becomes infinitely easier (and more enjoyable) when you’re guided by someone who truly knows their stuff.
Inside our Upholstery Club, you’ll learn directly from Anthony — a professional upholsterer with over 30 years of experience teaching and restoring furniture.
Here’s what you’ll find inside the Club:
100+ hours of on-demand video tutorials covering all elements of modern upholstery
New live sessions held each week, with an option to join live and ask questions!
Expert guidance from Anthony — clear, practical, and jargon-free
Project-based learning that lets you follow along at your own pace
The option to take advantage of our supplier deals on tools, compressors and fabric ranges
Access to frames and kits delivered to your home, so you can get learning and making
Supportive community of fellow upholsterers and hobbyists to share progress and ask questions as part of our WhatsApp group
Access to 1:1 mentoring sessions with Anthony for project guidance, skill building and problem-solving.
With the right guidance, you’ll avoid beginner mistakes, build confidence faster, and actually enjoy the process of mastering your craft.
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Don’t wait for the perfect chair, tools, or timing. The best way to learn upholstery is by doing it and the benefit of learning with my Club is that the videos are always there for you to enjoy, whenever you have some spare time.
Imagine yourself one month from now:
You’ve completed your first transformation
You understand the basics of prepping, tensioning and choosing fabric
You’ve discovered a relaxing, creative outlet that’s completely yours

Your Next Steps | join the club, free for 7 days & get learning!
There's no contract, no obligation and nothing to lose! In fact, here's what you will gain:
100+ hours of on-demand video tutorials covering all elements of modern upholstery
New live sessions held each week, with an option to join live and ask questions!
Expert guidance from Anthony — clear, practical, and jargon-free
Project-based learning that lets you follow along at your own pace
The option to take advantage of our supplier deals on tools, compressors and fabric ranges
Access to frames and kits delivered to your home, so you can get learning and making
Supportive community of fellow upholsterers and hobbyists to share progress and ask questions as part of our WhatsApp group
Access to 1:1 mentoring sessions with Anthony for project guidance, skill building and problem-solving.100+ hours of on-demand video tutorials covering all elements of modern upholstery
New live sessions held each week, with an option to join live and ask questions!
Expert guidance from Anthony — clear, practical, and jargon-free
Project-based learning that lets you follow along at your own pace
The option to take advantage of our supplier deals on tools, compressors and fabric ranges
Access to frames and kits delivered to your home, so you can get learning and making
Supportive community of fellow upholsterers and hobbyists to share progress and ask questions as part of our WhatsApp group
Access to 1:1 mentoring sessions with Anthony for project guidance, skill building and problem-solving.
MY COURSES
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING WITH ANTHONY DEVINE ONLINE
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MULTI - CAMERA
Never miss a snip or a staple with up to 4 different camera angles
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LIVE
Every course goes out live, keeping it interactive and allowing for questions
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RECORED
You’ll have the session with you within 24 - 48 hours, which is yours to keep forever
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ACCESSIBLE
You’re no longer limited by geography, availability or your schedule
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COST EFFECTIVE
My online learning is one of the most cost-effective ways to learn upholstery without penalties if life gets in the way
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SUSTAINABLE
I want all of us to be a part of a cleaner and greener upholstery industry
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