Upholster items of furniture

This standard covers the skills and knowledge required to prepare to upholster items of modern furniture.  This involves:

1. preparing, cutting and applying upholstery materials
2. trimming and finishing items of furniture
3. maintaining your own and others' safety while working

Items upholstered could include the following;

• domestic furniture such as an armchair (to include wings), or a settee
• contract furniture such as a long seating unit, a curved/angled seating unit, stool or chair
• office furniture such as a chair, reception seating, stool or executive swivel chair

This standard is aimed at people working in the upholstery industry.

1. comply with health and safety requirements and procedures at all times
2. obtain specifications and requirements of the items to be produced following standard operating procedures
3. obtain equipment and materials required to carry out the job following standard operating procedures
4. check equipment is set up and in good working order following standard operating procedures and any manufacturer's instructions
5. check all materials required are to specification and free from faults following standard operating procedures
6. position and align materials to meet specifications
7. cut materials to specification following standard operating procedures
8. secure covers tensioning to the required levels to meet specifications
9. check visual appearance, fixings and tensioning of to meet specifications
10. secure bottom cloths to meet visual and safety requirements following standard operating procedures
11. process completed work to next stage following standard operating procedures

1. steps and actions needed to position and fit covers to different types of item
2. how to measure and cut upholstery cover materials to ensure an accurate fit within an economic level of wastage
3. relevant health and safety responsibilities
4. meaning of terms used in specifications and requirements list
5. how to check equipment is set up and is in good working order
6. how to check materials and the common faults that can occur
7. different methods to secure upholstery covers
8. importance and use of bottom cloths in upholstery
9. functions of different types of tools and equipment used in upholstery
10. how to handle sharp and powered tools safely in ways that protect yourself and others from risk