Unlock full step by step tutorials and videos
From the first staples to professional finish
A clear learning path – wether you’re starting or refining your skills
The Upholstery Reference: Beginner’s Guide, Professional methods & Step-by-Step Tutorials
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.
Learning Curriculum
Your Upholstery Journey in 3 clear guides
Start simple, learn the right techniques, then move to real projects. A clear method, built to last.
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 this very special upholstery platform! 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%
Professionnel 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
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
Most Popular
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 truth about getting good at upholstery
Here’s something reassuring: upholstery is not a “gift”. It’s a craft — and crafts are built through repetition, small wins, and a method you can trust.
It took me 4 years full-time as an apprentice to become a professional upholsterer and open my own workshop. I made hundreds of chairs, plenty of mistakes, and learned that progress is rarely linear.
Not talent.
Practice, patience, and the right steps.
Every clean finish you admire was once a rough first attempt.
The difference between people who improve and people who quit is rarely motivation. It’s having a clear path — and giving yourself time to learn.