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?

  • 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.

  • 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. 
  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • FOUNDATIONs OF UPHOLSTERY - online

    Dream of bringing your personal style to life by creating statement home pieces, but need a course that works around your busy home schedule? Make dreams a reality with this online accessible course.

  • DRUM STOOL - 1 DAY

    A stunner you can make in one day! Grab a couple of friends, come curious and leave with new skills (and a beautiful stool to show off!).

  • COFFEE TABLE STOOL - 1 DAY

    One day, one project, one stunning result — your very own coffee table stool. Come for the experience, leave with a showpiece.

  • CONTEMPORARY STOOL - 2 DAYS

    This stool will turn heads, especially when you say you’ve made it! Two days of absolute joy and a lifetime of loving what you’ve made.

  • DEEP BUTTONED STOOL - 2 DAYS

    You’re going to love this two-day dive into deep buttoning. It’s mindful to the max. And the stool looks pretty epic too!

  • OTTOMAN STORAGE BOX - 3 DAYS

    Big project, big impact — upholster your own storage ottoman in just three days. Learn the craft, enjoy the process, and leave with a stunning piece that’s as useful as it is beautiful.

  • TRADITIONAL FOOTSTOOL - 4 DAYS

    Step into the world of traditional upholstery. Not only will you love it, you’ll learn some time-honoured skills and step out with a masterpiece!   

  • COCKTAIL CHAIR - 5 DAYS

    Shake up your skills and stir in some style! In five days you’ll craft a show-stopping cocktail chair that’s equal parts craftsmanship and wow factor.

SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING WITH ANTHONY DEVINE ONLINE

  • MULTI - CAMERA

    Never miss a snip or a staple with up to 4 different camera angles

  • LIVE

    Every course goes out live, keeping it interactive and allowing for questions

  • RECORED

    You’ll have the session with you within 24 - 48 hours, which is yours to keep forever

  • ACCESSIBLE

    You’re no longer limited by geography, availability or your schedule

  • COST EFFECTIVE

    My online learning is one of the most cost-effective ways to learn upholstery without penalties if life gets in the way

  • SUSTAINABLE

    I want all of us to be a part of a cleaner and greener upholstery industry

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