About the AMUSF DIPLOMA
Stage 1 - Craft Certificate
Stage 2 - Intermediate Skills
Stage 2 - Intermediate Skills
The stage 1 course
Stage 2 - Intermediate Skills
Stage 2 - Intermediate Skills
Stage 2 - Intermediate Skills
Stage 2 course
Stage 3 - Upholstery Diploma
Stage 2 - Intermediate Skills
Stage 3 - Upholstery Diploma
Stage 3 course
Stage 1 - Craft Certificate
Practice Pieces
- Drop-in dining seat pad (modern materials)
- Drop-in dining seat pad (traditional materials including fabric and bottoming cloth)
- Stitched and stuffed stool (traditional materials and methods including fabric and bottoming)
- Sprung arm exercise for an inset facing (traditional materials and methods)
On the Sewing Machine
- Sewing for control methods
- Sewing piped seams and decorative machine sewing techniques
- Box Cushion with piping and zip (sample)
- Bolster End with piping (sample)
Research
- Introduction to fabrics (fibres, weaving methods, and textile history)
- Modern fabric (on-demand printing, collections, and basic fabric design)
The Assessments
- Traditionally Sprung dining chair
- Scatter cushion with piping and zip
- Upholstered and lined box with deep-buttoned lid
- Portfolio containing notes and details of work in progress
- Written Project Fabric Characteristics, Identification, and Appropriate Usage
- Portfolio of work
Day of study: Mondays
Start: September 2026
End: July 2027
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Duration: 35 weeks term time, one day per week
Fee Structure
Tuition Fee: £3,100
Exercises and Materials: £400
AMUSF Courses Registration Fee: £72 (payable directly to the AMUSF)
We require a £500 deposit at the time of booking, followed by ten monthly payments of £300.
Stage 2 - Intermediate Skills
Practice Pieces
- Traditional Independent sprung edge for a cushioned seat
On the Sewing Machine
- T-shaped cushion with piping and zips
- Tailoring, including the fitting of caps and collars
Furniture Restoration and Finishing
- Restoring and prepping assessment chairs for upholstering
The Assessments
- Coil Sprung and Armless chair with traditionally upholstered seat and back
- Post-1950s Armchair upholstered using modern materials and methods
- Portfolio containing notes and details of work in progress
- Written Project History of Upholstered Furniture
- Portfolio of work
Timetable: Tuesdays
Start: September 2026
End: July 2027
Time: 09:00 am – 5:00 pm
Duration: 35 weeks term time, one day per week
Fee Structure
Tuition Fee: £3,100
Exercises and Materials: £250
AMUSF Courses Registration Fee: £72 (payable directly to the AMUSF)
We require a £500 deposit at the time of booking, followed by ten monthly payments of £285.
Stage 3 - Upholstery Diploma
The Assessments
- A substantial traditional armchair which should include at least two of the following elements: the fitting of caps and collars, scroll arms or stitched-up edges to arms, sprung arms, coil sprung seats, independent sprung edges, deep buttoning, fluting or an iron framed chair.
- Modern Chair with a concave inside back incorporating tailored fitting and/or top stitching i.e. Egg style (shell frame)
- Written Project - 20th Century Furniture Design (written research project)
- Portfolio of work
Written Research Project
Title - “History of Upholstered Furniture”
Timetable: Wednesdays
Start: September 2026
End: July 2027
Time: 09:00 am – 5:00 pm
Duration: 35 weeks term time, one day per week
Fee Structure
Tuition Fee: £3,100
Exercises and Materials: £280
AMUSF Courses Registration Fee: £72 (payable directly to the AMUSF)
We require a £500 deposit at the time of booking, followed by ten monthly payments of £288.
