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This is Céline aka The Girl With a Hammer
My name is Céline Vanier, I’m a professional upholsterer and you may know me as @the_girl_with_a_hammer on Instagram.
I share everything about upholstery here on my website! So you’ll find more about my work, many upholstery tutorials and tips and of course every information about my international upholstery classes in France (Annecy).
My mission: Provide the upholstery resources I wish I had found 15 years ago when I was feeling alone with my upholstery books, dreaming about my future workshop.
Trusted by Upholstery Enthusiasts Worldwide
70+
Video Tutorials
Step-by-step guides
15+
Years Experience
Professional expertise
500+
Students Taught
Worldwide community
100%
French Techniques
Traditional and modern methods
Let me guide you from beginner to confident upholsterer
As an upholstery teacher, I’ve guided students from complete beginners to confident craftspeople. Here’s what I’ve learned: everyone starts with the same questions, the same struggles, the same dreams of creating beautiful pieces. Whether you’re holding fabric for the first time or ready to tackle advanced techniques, you’re not alone in this journey. My workshops and online academy exist because every upholsterer deserves the guidance and community I wished I had when I started.
Online Academy
Today more than 70 different tips and tutorials have been posted here and more are coming. Comprehensive digital curriculum with professional-grade video tutorials and expert community support.
- 80+ step-by-step video tutorials
- Downloadable PDF guides and templates
- Access to exclusive support forum
- Monthly new content updates
- Learn at your own pace
Workshop Intensives
Immersive hands-on training in my Annecy atelier. These international upholstery classes in France provide the most comprehensive learning experience combining theory with extensive hands-on practice.
- 3-5 day intensive courses
- Maximum 6 students per workshop
- Complete chair restoration project
- Personal guidance and feedback
- Professional workshop environment
Learning Curriculum
Everyone has the same questions and I’ve been there myself. Starting my own apprenticeship and upholstery business wasn’t easy, I know every struggle and question. This is why I want this special upholstery website to be the “online upholstery resource” I wish I had found 15 years ago.
01
Foundation & Safety
Essential professional practice
Master workspace organization, tool selection, fabric analysis, and comprehensive safety protocols. Essential foundation for all advanced techniques.
02
Tools & Equipment
Professional toolkit mastery
Master essential tools, specialized equipment, workspace setup, and professional-grade instruments for efficient and precise upholstery work.
03
Materials Knowledge
Professional material selection
Comprehensive analysis of foam specifications, natural vs synthetic webbing, adhesive selection, horsehair preparation, and luxury textile application.
04
Advanced Techniques
Professional craftsmanship skills
Develop expertise in webbing installation, traditional spring systems, horsehair application, precision piping, and sophisticated tufting methodologies.
05
Complete Projects
End-to-end mastery
Execute complete period furniture restoration projects from structural assessment through final finishing. Apply integrated skillsets in real professional scenarios.
06
Create Your Bespoke Seats
From concept to completion
Design and build completely custom seating from scratch. Learn pattern making, frame construction, and advanced upholstery techniques to create unique bespoke pieces.
Want to learn upholstery? Even Architectural Digest says this is the right place
Want inspiration for all those ‘DIY reupholster chair’ searches? Check out Celine Vanier, an upholsterer and fabric dealer based in France who shares her creations on her Instagram account, @the_girl_with_a_hammer, which has more than 100 upholstery chair transformations to make you beeline to the fabric store.
— Architectural Digest, Nov. 11, 2022
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Need help? Use the forum!
Never be afraid to ask a “simple” question or ask for help. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been upholstering for years, our community forum is where the magic happens. Connect with fellow craftspeople, share your projects, ask questions, and get advice from experienced upholsterers around the world.
Never hesitate to ask a “simple” question—we’ve all been there, and every expert was once a beginner.
THE (HARSH) TRUTH ABOUT MASTERING UPHOLSTERY
Let me share something honest with you: it took me 4 years full time as an apprentice to become a professional upholsterer and to be able to open my own workshop. I made hundreds of chairs, countless mistakes, and had moments where I questioned everything I thought I knew about this craft.
But here’s what I discovered along the way: every expert you admire started exactly where you are now. Every perfect corner you see was preceded by dozens of imperfect ones.
The difference between someone who gives up and someone who becomes skilled isn’t natural ability—it’s persistence. Your upholstery journey is unique, but you don’t have to walk it alone.