Upholsterer

<h2 id="section---IsACareerAsAnUpholstererForMe">Is a Career as an Upholsterer for Me?</h2> <h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3> <p>Upholsterers are craftspeople who can install and replace textiles and leather on household and vehicular furniture. They use various materials in upholstery and need to know how to use a number of tools proficiently. Sewing, layout and machine maintenance are important skills for an upholsterer. Qualities that can help you succeed as an upholsterer include limb strength, dexterity, coordination, color discrimination and conceptual visualization. </p> <p>Some of the industries in which an upholsterer can find employment opportunities include household and business furniture manufacturing, automotive repair and maintenance, leather repair, air transportation support services, schools and aerospace product manufacturing. Careers in furniture making and textile designing may appeal to more creative upholsterers. Upholsterers at larger companies can sometimes enjoy union benefits and significant product discounts. </p> <h3 id="section---EmploymentInformation">Employment Information</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), upholsterers made an annual median salary of $30,750 in 2013 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The BLS also noted that upholstery jobs could expect little or no growth from 2012-2022. When you are advanced in practice, you may be able to master re-upholstery techniques, work your way up to making showpieces and open your own shop. With the rise in demand for antique, vintage and aged furnishings, you can expect to work on these and custom pieces regularly only after almost a decade in the business, since this area is more competitive. </p> <h2 id="section---HowCanIBecomeAnUpholsterer">How Can I Become an Upholsterer?</h2> <h3 id="section---Training">Training</h3> <p>Many who choose the vocation of upholstery begin working on projects as a hobby or at a part-time job. However, the trade is typically learned through on-the-job training via apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, mentorships and/or volunteering. Stamina, handiness and an understanding of computers and calculations will help you transition smoothly from apprentice to bona fide upholsterer. </p> <p>You can find some online upholstery courses and correspondence courses. Vocational and community colleges also offer upholstery classes if you would rather earn a degree. Most upholstery trade school programs offer a specialization in household or vehicle upholstery, lasting as little as six weeks or as long as three years. Different programs will emphasize the main components of upholstery differently, some stressing the constructive elements over the design elements and vice versa.</p>