The upholsterer bring comfort and pleasure into our lives through the drapes, curtains, wall hangings, seating and beds that he creates or restores and with the fabrics, embroideries and soft furnishings that he uses.

Skills required :

Ability to draw	Mainly freehand sketches or the preparation of technical drawings.
Some idea of art and Art History	Knowledge of art history and furniture history, to be able to respect the original styles and materials. Ability to harmonise materials and colours.
Knowledge of the materials and their properties	Knowledge of supple materials (fabrics, leathers, plastics,…); knowledge of filling materials : both traditional (hair, springs, various canvases, feathers, nails and studs …), and contemporary (foams, chipboard, glues …).
Techniques for the materials	Knowledge of the specific characteristics of fabrics, leathers, skins and other supple materials, plus the different types of stuffing and production techniques and methods of fastening.
Key craft tools to be familiar with	Hammer Scissors Webbing stretcher Tape measure Needles and sail needles Cranked ripping chisel Mallet Hair comb Crowbars Sewing machine Awl Compressors Staplers
Description of the principal tasks	Create anything linked to interior textile decoration On site, create and install stretched or free hanging wall hangings, stretched or pleated ceiling canopies, lay or glue rugs and carpets on the floor. In the workshop make net curtains, curtains, blinds, pelmets and draped decorations for windows ; bedspreads and throws, decorative cushions or seat cushions, tablecloths… In the workshop, fill seating (chairs, armchairs, sofas, footstools, beds) with padding made by traditional or contemporary materials, cover doors, the interior of pieces of furniture, or any other object which can be covered by fabric or by leather. Be familiar with the use of patterns, of fabric cutting, of hand and machine sewing, assembly and padding. Provide technical advice on interior decoration to interior designers or decorators. Know how to adapt client requirements so that the object is made attractive and comfortable.
Working with other craftspeople	The upholsterer is often in contact with cabinet makers, who supply or restore the support or the frame (the chair frame), an essential part of the chain, but also with other tradesmen such as fibrous plasterers, carpenters, electricians or painters.
Specific characteristics	Expertise Clientele Local / regional Location of workshops Production Materials Tools Styles

Chambre syndicale des textiles d’ameublement (CSTA)
UNIFA 28 bis, Avenue Daumesnil 75012 PARIS
Tél.: 01 44 68 18 77
Fax : 01 44 74 37 72
csta@mobilier.com
www.forumcsta.com/flash/index.html

Fédération française du négoce de l’ameublement et de l’équipement de maison (FNAEM)
59, rue Saint-Lazare 75009 PARIS
Tél. : 01 42 85 87 55
Fax. : 01 42 80 68 84
contact@fnaem.fr
www.fnaem.fr

Union nationale de l’artisanat des métiers de l’ameublement (UNAMA)
28 bis, Avenue Daumesnil 75012 PARIS
Tél. : 01 44 68 18 79
Fax. : 01 44 74 37 66
unama@mobilier.fr
www.unama.org